Chapter 39


    James cradled the coffee mug in his hands, taking a sip with a refined air. “After you left, your


    grandmother had quite a


    bit to share with me.”


    Mirabe thought of Catherine, who rose at the crack of dawn to cook breakfast and silently waited at


    the doorstep each evening with a warm smile ying at the edges of her lips. “How Is Granny doing?”


    “She’s managing, I guess. Though she’s not quite as spirited as she used to be. Probably misses you


    and needs someone to brighten her mood.” James spoke gently.


    Mirabe’s eyes tell slightly, a momentary silence enveloping her. On the day Mirabe left Elm Creek,


    she hadn’t


    aited for her grandmother’s return from the hospital because she feared the parting would be too


    sorrowful.


    Catching her expression, James added. “But your foster mother brought her over here. If you want to


    see her, you can do so anytime.”


    With a soft hum, Mirabe acknowledged the information. She was aware that Mandy had brought her


    granny over, so it wasn’t a surprise. However, Mirabe looked at James with aplicated gaze and


    asked, “Howe you know so much?”


    Back in Elm Creek, when James lived next door, he rarely mingled with them, and Mirabe didn’t


    recall her granny mentioning him.


    James arched an eyebrow and deflected, “I also know where your grandmother is staying now.”


    At his words, Mirabe’s response was tinged with mock amusement, “With all this knowledge, you


    wouldn’t happen to be a bodyguard my foster mother hired, would you?”


    The smirk on James lips twitched at the idea.


    A bodyguard? Him?


    It took him a moment to coolly reply. “You certainly have an active imagination.”


    “Thanks for thepliment,” Mirabe replied airily, pausing before adding with a hint of disdain, “But


    honestly, I can’t imagine my foster mother being generous enough to hire a bodyguard.”


    James snorted softly.


    Just then, the waiter arrived with their meals. Once the dishes were served and they were alone again,


    James seemed to recall something and inquired. “Were you stopped outside Parkside High School this


    morning because the security took your eptance letter?”


    “You know about that too?” Mirabe shot him another nce.


    James smiled. “Overheard by chance.”


    Mirabe rolled her eyes and speared a piece of steak, murmuring. “You’ve got some sharp ears then.”


    Languidly leaning back in his seat, James forwent his utensils and remarked cryptically. “Seems like


    your school switch isn’t going as smoothly as you’d hoped.”


    Her hand paused, and the memory of Mandy’s call the previous evening caused a scoff to skim across


    her lips, “Just a bit of skullduggery.”


    “Need a hand?” James offered with a hint of mischief.


    Without looking up. Mirabe mumbled through a mouthful “No, thanks.”


    After dinner, with the bill settled, James asked. “Want me to drop you off to see your grandmother?”


    Mirabe considered it briefly before shaking her head. “Not tonight, it’ste. Maybe some other time.”


    James didn’t press, simply saying. “I’ll send you the addresster.”


    Chapter 39


    When Mirabe returned to the Davis household around eight, she immediately sensed an odd tension


    in the air. Shawn and Delh were sitting in the living room in solemn silence, the TV off, their


    expressions unusually grave.


    Mirabe was puzzled for a moment, then called out, “Dad, Mom, I’m home.”


    Delh rose from the couch, approaching Mirabe. There was a strained smile on her face, betraying


    an underlying concern, “How was your first day back at school? Is everything okay? Will you have any


    issues getting used to it?”


    “It was fine,” Mirabe responded casually, pausing before she probed further, “Is there something on


    your mind your


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    wanted to talk about?”


    Chapter 40