?Chapter 724:

    Cole stood frozen, watching them disappear. His thoughts raced, clouded by unease. Slowly, he turned to Ruben. “Grandpa, are you hiding something from me?”

    Ruben met his gaze without flinching. “Hide something? From the family head?” he said smoothly. “What could we possibly have to hide?” He waved off his concern with a casual shrug. “Don’t mind those two. One is immature, and the other is a little rascal. Let them cool off.”

    Cole gave a slow nod, seemingly reassured.

    Just then, Jarrett broke the uneasy silence. “Cole, I’m not feeling well. I’ll be heading back tonight to rest. I won’t be able to attend your engagement party.” His voice was calm, but the weight behind his words was unmistakable. He couldn’t bring himself to stand by and watch his son pledge himself to the woman responsible for Elliana’s death. Since he couldn’t stop the engagement, the least he could do was not bear witness to it.

    Cole looked at him, taken aback. “But Dad, the party’s just a few days away. Can’t you stay a little longer?” He hesitated, the confusion clear in his voice. “This is my first engagement—maybe my only one. And it was Mom’s final wish that I marry Wanda. Don’t you want to be there for it?”

    Cole couldn’t fathom it. Jarrett wasn’t a distant father. They had always been close. And Jarrett didn’t look unwell—tired, maybe, but not enough to warrant an early departure and skip the engagement party.

    Jarrett offered a weak, sorrowful smile. “I’m sorry, Cole. I just can’t.”

    What kind of father would miss his son’s engagement party unless his heart was too heavy to bear it?

    He didn’t wait for a reply. Without another word, he turned and made his way upstairs, leaving Cole watching him go—his expression clouded with doubt, unease slowly settling in his chest.

    His father’s reaction lingered in Cole’s mind—detached, emotionless. Not a trace of joy, no warm words, not even a nod of approval. Why? It didn’t make sense. Jarrett had always been a pir of quiet strength, buttely, he carried a heaviness that couldn’t be exined away. It was as if he was weighed down by something he couldn’t bring himself to share—and that silence only deepened Cole’s unease.

    As Jarrett disappeared around the corner of the staircase, Cole turned to Ruben, hoping for rity. “Grandpa, what’s going on with Dad?”

    Ruben struggled to muster a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Your father’s health hasn’t been good for years. You know that. Don’t read too much into it. Just focus on your engagement preparations.” Then, as if the weight of the conversation was too much for him as well, he stood. “I’m feeling tired too. I’ll turn in for the night.”

    He left, ascending the stairs with a slow, deliberate gait. Cole remained behind, watching Ruben climb each step, the knots in his chest tightening. Neither his father nor his grandfather had expressed any joy about his engagement. No smiles. No congrattions. No blessings. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones. But no one was giving him answers.

    Your imagination thrives at  punt

    Once inside the study on the second floor, Cole turned to Paulina. “Why do I feel like something’s off with my family? Is there something going on that no one’s telling me?” he said, lowering his voice.

    Paulina looked up from her notes, carefully masking the flicker of emotion in her eyes. “Mr. Evans, perhaps you’re overly sensitive because you haven’t fully recovered from the car ident. Nothing’s changed. You’re just overthinking.”

    Paulina had been by his side since childhood, more than just a caretaker. She was like an older sister, always there, always dependable. He trusted her, and her calm words eased him, if only slightly. Still, even if it was just nerves, he couldn’t deny what he’d seen. No excitement or blessing from Ruben and Jarrett over his uing engagement.

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