Meanwhile, Alec's home was much quieter than Evan's. He had made several dishes, and though they weren't as fancy, it was still nutritious and homey enough for the three of them-grandparent, grandson,

and butler.

"Come join us, Mr. Duncan," Alec called to Warren, who was standing in the doorway.

Warren used to be dismissed during the holidays in order to join his family to have New Year's dinner, but ever since Old Mr. Faust's condition worsened, they could no longer afford to leave the old man alone at home.

To Alec, Warren was part of their family. The man had taken care of him since he was a boy, after all. In fact, it wouldn't be too strange to treat the man as a second grandfather.

Warren fidgeted awkwardly. "I'm afraid that might be..."

"Eat with us, Warren. You've always been family, now is no different," Old Mr. Faust spoke up.

Warren had no reason to refuse now. He sat down with Alec and the old man while Alec gave them each a cup of warm tea instead of wine. "Here, let's put our glasses together. It's customary, after all." The old men shared a gaze and smiled, putting their cups up to Alec's.

This warm scene replayed across Clusia as families and friends dined together on New Year's Eve, marking the end of the fruitful year.

While Jenny swallowed her food, she recalled what Alec had told her in the garden. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Alec actually invited us over to have dinner at his place later...what do you guys think?"

She glanced at her brothers, then at Evan, whose opinion she was most worried about.

As if sensing her worry, Evan shot her a smile. "Sounds fun. Why don't we head over in the evening?"

"I'm fine with it, too," Gilbert said.

"So is Janet and I," Zack piped up. It was obvious Alec was a much more preferable brother-in-law than Evan right now.

Jenny beamed. "Alright. I'll let him know later."

Her bright smile was genuine for all to see. It made Evan feel sad. If it weren't for his injury right now, he likely wouldn't be having this meal with Jenny.

But he kept those feelings hidden, as usual.

After lunch, Jenny and Zack were about to wash the dishes when Janet came over. "Why don't you leave the cleaning up to Zack and me, Jenny? Go and take a break in the living room." "Yeah. Let us handle it. Go rest." Zack agreed, secretly hoping Jenny would approve of Janet.

Jenny shrugged. "Thanks, then."

"Not a problem, really. We didn't help much with the cooking," Janet said. She knew how to cook, but she didn't want to stay in the same space as Gilbert alone, so she hadn't gone to help him. Jenny then went back to the living room, where Gilbert and Evan were.

She suddenly felt a tension between them that hadn't been there before. Though, she could already guess the cause. Gilbert was the one who brought Evan back-if it weren't for her, things wouldn't have come to this.

"Gilbert, Evan, wanna go for a walk?" she suggested. It had stopped snowing outside, and the neighborhood looked gorgeous layered in the snow.

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