CHAPTER 127: MOM’S FAMILY

Cassidy looked at the young man in front of her with a warm smile, though a little surprised. Isaach seemed much more grown-up than the last time she saw him, even though he was clearly still young, maybe twenty-five or twenty-six. His hair was neatly styled, his face clean and fresh. There was a natural confidence in the way he stood.

Cassidy laughed softly. "You’re not a kid anymore. You’re so tall now."

Isaach chuckled. "Last time you saw me, I still had braces, carried a deck of cards everywhere, and barely reached your shoulder."

Cassidy shook her head, amused. "You used to follow Sandro and Raymond around and annoy the hell out of us."

"And now I’m charming and mature," Isaach said in an overly dramatic tone that made Cassidy laugh again.

"Barely," she replied dryly.

Zeke walks up to Cassidy.

The moment Cassidy sees Zeke and Claire returning, she gives him a quick smile and gestures toward the man beside her. "Zeke, meet Isaach. He’s my cousin."

Instantly, Zeke feels like an idiot for letting his thoughts run wild earlier.

He extends his hand. "Zeke."

Isaach shakes it politely. "Nice to meet you."

Cassidy glances at Isaach. "Are you here with someone?"

Isaach nods and points toward a group of young men sitting in the corner. "Yeah, those are my friends."

"How are Uncle and Aunty doing these days? It’s been so long."

"They’re good. Still as stubborn as ever, but healthy," Isaach said, then added, "How’s Aunty Teresa? And how are Georgia, Sandro, and Raymond?"

"My siblings are doing okay," Cassidy replied with a small nod.

She paused, hesitating for a second, but didn’t say anything about Teresa.

Zeke, realizing they were talking about something personal, spoke up. "Why don’t you two find a seat? I’ll wait in line with Claire."

Cassidy gave a quick thanks and followed his suggestion. She and Isaach found an empty spot by the large window and sat down.

Isaach was the son of Cassidy’s mother’s older brother, her cousin, though they weren’t very close growing up. His side of the family didn’t really stay in touch anymore.

A long time ago, Cassidy’s grandfather didn’t approve of her mother marrying her father. Her mother’s family came from a background of professors and scientists. They were proud of their education and looked down on businessmen, especially rich ones like Cassidy’s father, who had a bad reputation as a playboy.

But her mother had been deeply in love. She was smart, beautiful, and confident. And strangely enough, she had been the one who chased after him. In the end, they got married anyway.

Because of that, her relationship with her parents and siblings became distant. And even now, they’re still not close.

Cassidy hesitated. Her lips parted, then closed again.

If her grandparents knew, if her aunts and uncles knew, they’d blame her mom for everything all over again. For ignoring their advice. For cutting ties.

But deep down, Cassidy felt they had the right to know. Teresa was still their family.

With a heavy look on her face, Cassidy finally spoke. "She tried to take her own life last month."

Isaach froze. His expression changed instantly.

"What? Cass... I— I had no idea."

"She’s stable now," Cassidy continued softly. "But it was bad. Really bad."

Isaach was silent for a few seconds. Then, carefully, he asked, "Should I tell my parents?"

Cassidy looked out the window before nodding slowly. "Yeah. I think they should know. She’s still their sister."

Isaach gave her a supportive look. "I’m really sorry about Aunty Teresa... Thanks for telling me. I know it’s not easy."

Cassidy nodded a little. "Yeah."

"Can I get your number?" he asked after a moment. "So we can stay in touch?"

"Sure."

They exchanged numbers, then kept talking. Cassidy asked a lot about her mom’s side of the family—how her grandparents were doing, her uncles and aunts, the cousins she hadn’t seen in years.

Isaach answered everything patiently, telling her whatever he knew.

A few moments later, Zeke and Claire showed up, balancing a tray of drinks and burgers between them.

Cassidy gently pulled Claire closer and said with a smile, "Here, meet my baby, Isaach. Her name is Claire."

Isaach’s eyes widened in surprise. "I didn’t know you had a child, Cass."

He quickly pulled himself together and smiled warmly at Claire. "Hi, there, Claire. I’m your uncle. You can call me Uncle Isaach."

"Hi, Uncle Isaach." Claire gave a small wave, her cheeks turning pink.

Isaach smiled warmly. "You’re absolutely adorable, Claire."

Then he reached into his wallet and pulled out a few bills. "I don’t have much on me right now—just five hundred dollars. But I want you to have it."

Claire blinked, unsure, and glanced up at her mother.

Cassidy nodded, slightly amused.

Only then did Claire reach out, carefully taking the money. "Thank you, Uncle Isaach," she said shyly.

Isaach chuckled as Claire took the money. "Next time we meet, I’ll bring you a proper gift. Something way better than this, I promise."

Claire’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

He nodded with a grin. "Really. So you better remember me, okay?"

Claire nodded quickly. "Okay, Uncle Isaach."

Cassidy smiled, feeling a little warmth in her chest watching them.

Isaach glanced toward the table where his friends were seated and said gently, "I should probably head back and sit with the guys before they start teasing me."

He turned to Cassidy, then smiled at Zeke and Claire. "Enjoy your meal, okay? It was really nice seeing you again, Cass. And meeting you too, Claire, Zeke."

Cassidy nodded warmly. "Thanks, Isaach. It was good to see you too."

Claire gave a small wave. "Bye, Uncle Isaach!"

Isaach chuckled softly, waving back before walking away, leaving the three of them at the table.

Cassidy, Claire, and Zeke ate their food quietly.

Before leaving, Cassidy walked over to Isaach. His friends immediately started teasing him.

"Stop it," Isaach said, half-laughing. "She’s my cousin, relax."

Cassidy smiled and waved politely at his friends. "Nice to meet you all."

They waved back, still grinning, and one of them whispered, "Pretty cousin, huh?"

Cassidy just shook her head and smiled.

"We’re heading out," Cassidy said. "Just wanted to say goodbye."

Isaach stood and smiled. "Take care."

Cassidy nodded, then returned to Claire and Zeke as Isaach’s friends continued teasing him.

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