bChapter /b312

    Her tone was so calm, it was as if she werementing on the pleasant weather

    that afternoon.

    The Morton family paused for a moment, but in the next second, everyone went back to eating and chatting as though nothing had happened.

    “She brought this on herself,” Ethan said, cing a piece of roast beef in Alessia’s bowl. “She did call me, but the moment I heard her voice, I blocked her number.” His voice remained t, betraying nothing.

    He had never wronged her. If things had gotten to this point, it was her own doing–no one else was to me.

    “She called me too. I just hung up,” Brendan added, remembering he’d been at the grocery store at the time.

    “Was it this number?” Zachary, as if remembering something, pulled out his phone

    and checked his contacts.

    “Yeah, that’s the one.”

    “I was in ss and missed it. Saw it was an unknown number and didn’t bother to call back.” He tucked his phone away, clearly done with the subject.

    “I was in the middle of filming a segment and didn’t pick up either.”

    Liam didn’t care about the number or about Ileana. Anyone could guess why she suddenly wanted to get in touch–after all, she’d always looked down on them, and now that the family was back on their feet, she wanted a piece of the action.

    While everyone was talking, Ethan suddenly stood up and walked into the living room. He picked up a folder from his briefcase.

    All eyes followed him.

    “Ethan, what’s that?” Brendan asked.

    “Let’s just eat. Work can wait–nothing’s that urgent,” Brendan added, knowing his eldest son’s workaholic habits. Ethan had inherited his drive; once he started something, he often forgot to eat or sleep.

    But Ethan didn’t answer. Instead, he handed the folder across the table.

    Brendan looked surprised but took it instinctively.

    “A property deed?” Brendan read aloud, then looked up in confusion.

    09:57

    “I bought the house back,” Ethan said quietly. “A lot of our things are gone, and it’ll take time to renovate and furnish it, so we can’t move in just yet.”

    Karen’s fork slipped from her trembling hand, ttering onto the table. Her eyes filled with tears as she bent to pick it up, but Zachary was quicker, grabbing it first and gently patting her on the back.

    With shaking hands, Karen took the folder, flipping through the pages again and again.

    “This… you worked so hard to save up that money. The house was gone, and that was that. Now you’ve bought it back, and I…” Her first instinct was ito /iworry for her

    son.

    “This house means a lot to you and Dad. Money can be earned back, but the memories we made there are irreceable,” Ethan replied.

    “Yeah,” Zachary chimed in, “Ethan told us when he bought it back. We all agreed–it was supposed to be a surprise for your birthday, Mom.”

    Zachary disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a new fork for Karen.

    “I’ll cover the cost of the renovations,” Liam said. “Zach and Lessie are still in

    school, so the two of them can keep youpany shopping for furniture and help set up the ce again.”

    “What about me?” Ivan swung his legs under the table, eager to help.

    “You?” Alessia grinned, ruffling his hair. “Once everything’s delivered, you’re in charge of directing traffic.”

    “We were going ito /isurprise you in a couple days, but after everything that happened today, it feels right ito /ishare some good news and chase away the bad,” Ethan said, his words as sharp as ever.

    “That’s right. Actually, there’s another reason I called you all home today,” Brendan said, setting down his fork and turning serious. “There’s something important I want to discuss with you.”

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