?Chapter 757:

“Why are you back sote today? Come try this. I picked up a few new recipes.”

Ethan made his way to the study, dropped his backpack, and washed his hands with mechanical precision before settling at the dining table in silence. Throughout his journey home, doubt had gued every step. He had wrestled with whether to call Maia directly, ultimately choosing against it.

Phone conversations felt too risky. What if he stumbled over his words? What if Maia got upset? That nagging question weighed on him, stealing his peace.

Kathie emerged from the kitchen after setting out thest dish, her apron now hanging on its hook. What she found made her pause: Ethan sat hunched over his te, one hand supporting his chin while the other pushed food around with his fork. The meal had already grown cold.

“Ethan, is something wrong with the food today?”

Looking up to meet Kathie’s worried gaze, Ethan hesitated before shaking his head. “No, it’s perfect. I’m just not very hungry.”

Concern creased Kathie’s features as she studied him. Something was clearly troubling the boy.

Setting her utensils aside, she moved to the chair beside him. “What’s bothering you? Did something happen at school?”

Ethan’s teeth worried his lower lip as he struggled with his thoughts. Finally, he spoke in measured tones. “Do you think… family members should keep secrets from each other?”

“Why would you ask that?” Surprise flickered across Kathie’s face. “What’s got you thinking such serious thoughts today?”

“I mean… if I kept something from you and Maia, would you be angry?”

This time Kathie didn’tugh. Resting her chin thoughtfully on her hand, she considered his question. “Family might be the closest bond in the world, but everyone deserves—”

Their private thoughts. Having secrets is perfectly normal.” Pausing, she looked at Ethan with gentle understanding. “I may not have a fancy education, but I know a few things about life. If you’re keeping secrets because you want to handle something on your own, or simply don’t want to worry us with your troubles, that’spletely reasonable. Better yet, if your secrets are meant to protect Maia and me, to benefit this family, then how could we possibly be angry? What right would we have to feel upset?”

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Relief washed over Ethan as his shoulders rxed, his expression softening.

The next moment, however, Kathie shot up from her chair and seized his shoulders. “Alright, out with it! What are you hiding from me and Maia?”

“What?” The fork nearly slipped from Ethan’s startled grip. “I was just asking hypothetically…”

Squinting at him with knowing eyes, Kathie wore a mischievous smile. “Oh no, don’t try to backtrack now. I can hear it in your voice clear as day. Something’s definitely weighing on your mind today. Come on, you might as well spill everything at this point! I promise I won’t get mad, and neither will Maia! Wait… don’t tell me you’ve fallen for someone, have you?”

“I haven’t! What I said was just an example, nothing more!” Ethan bolted upright, his voice cracking with nervous energy.

Kathie burst intoughter at Ethan’s flustered expression. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you. But here’s the thing: when you suspect family members are keeping secrets, the best approach is to ask directly, just like I did. Then try to see things from their perspective. Never bottle it up and let your imagination spiral out of control! Suspicion has a way of driving wedges between people.”

Gently patting his head, she added with a yful grin, “So… Ethan, you’re really not hiding anything from me? Don’t make me lie awake tonight overthinking this!”

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