Chapter 45
Joseph took a spoonful and his face lit up. “Now this this is what real soup should faste like! Not that greasy stuff they’ve been feeding me!
The triplets came racing back, scrambling into their seats. Soon the dining room was filled with chatter and laughter.
Adam ate quietly, but his eyes kept drifting around the table, taking everything in. For a moment, something almost wistful crossed his face. When was the last time his own home had felt this alive?
“Uncle Adam!” Lily’s voice pulled him back. She was wobbling dangerously, trying to deliver a piece of chicken to his plate with her
fork.
He quickly moved his bowl to catch it before it fell, smiling gently.hank you. But you should eat too.”
Not to be outdone, Alex and Lucas started adding to his plate too.
Joseph couldn’t help chuckling, “Looks like you’ve got quite the fan club here, Mr. Haven!”
Adam stared at his now–full plate, something warm flickering in his usually cold eyes.
“Hey, don’t forget Mom and Great–grandpa!” Alex suddenly announced, starting to serve them too.
His siblings immediately joined in the food distribution. Poor Thomas sat forgotten – but he was too busy enjoying his meal to care.
After lunch, Alex helped clear the table like the little gentleman he was. “I should head back – work calls,” Adam said, his voice returning to its usual business–like tone. “Thank you for lunch.”
“Take care,” Joseph nodded warmly.
Irene wiped her hands on a dish towel as she came out of the kitchen. “Grandpa, let me check that back of yours.”
“Sure thing, sweetheart.” Joseph used his knees for support as he made his way to the bedroom.
Irene’s expert hands worked their magic during the massage. All those years of surgical training meant she knew exactly how to ease the tension without causing pain.
“How’s that feeling?” she asked, putting away her supplies.
“Much better barely hurts at all now,” Joseph admitted with a satisfied sigh.
“Perfect. How about a nap? It’s been quite a morning.”
Before Joseph could answer, three little whirlwinds burst into the room: “We wanna nap with Great–grandpa!”
“Oh no you don’t!” Irene put her hands on her hips, trying to look stern. “Alex maybe, but you two? You’re like tiny tornadoes in bed! We can’t risk hurting Great–grandpa.”
“Pleeeease?” Lily and Lucas dragged out the word, unleashing their best puppy dog eyes as they crowded around Jose…
Joseph wrapped them all in a big hug: “Oh, let them stay. What’s a few kicks between family?”
Irene threw up her hands in defeat: “You’re impossible – all of you!”
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Chapter 45
“Yes!” The kids darted off to change, returning moments later in matching dinosaur pajamas that had Joseph melting all over again.
Once they were all sound asleep, Irene tucked them in and quietly slipped out. She’d just settled on the couch with her medical journal when her phone buzzed James calling.
“James, what is it?”
“Miss Sterling…” James sounded worried. “I was planning to deliver the master’s belongings this afternoon, but Mrs. Sterling insisted on bringing them herself.”
Irene’s stomach tightened. Everyone in the Sterling household knew how tense things were between her and Rose.
“And there’s more – Ethan Claire showed up wanting to see you. Your mother offered to bring him along. They left about ten minutes ago, heading your way, James added.
Irene frowned. Why would Ethan suddenly show up? And Rose… her birth mother never did anything without an agenda.
“Alright, thanks for letting me know, James.”
After hanging up, she glanced at her sleeping family and headed for the estate entrance. Better to handle whatever Rose was planning away from them.
This is definitely not just a delivery, Irene thought grimly. With Rose Sterling, nothing’s ever simple.
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