14

As Jardine made her way into her family's mansion, she felt like she was walking into a lion's den.

Her heels echoed in the air as she pushed open the door to the living room and found her family on the velvet sofas, like they had been waiting for her. She had told them she'd be coming that morning, though.

She felt a lump in her throat as she walked in, feeling the weight of their judgmental stares on her skin. She couldn't even look them in the face.

"Good morning, Mom. Grandpa, grandma," she uttered and took a seat, facing them.

Kalina was the only one absent from the room.

"Finally, you decided to come home," her grandmother grumbled. She was an aged but fierce-looking woman.

"I'm sorry, Grandma, but I just couldn't leave Lancelot," Jardine mumbled.

Kalina came clumping down the stairs immediately.

"Oh! Someone is finally home. Hey, big sis," she flashed a sarcastic smile at her, which Jardine ignored.

"Hm. You don't look too good. Obviously, looking after Lancelot must'