one


    Chapter 401


    was carrying a paper bag, his grip firm yet casual. As he caught sight of his sister, he quickly stashed it


    Wind his back, cutting off her line of sight. “Ah, I’m not heading out, just thinking of taking a stroll


    around


    block


    Mirabe’s delicate features were etched with suspicion. She nced at the hand he had concealed


    and


    Ild, “Oh, well, enjoy your walk then.” With that, she stepped aside, clearing the path with a considerate


    and sweet demeanor.


    Zach stood rooted to the spot, torn between going and staying since he never intended to take a walk


    in the first ce.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. “Zach?”


    “I suddenly don’t feel like walking anymore,” he blurted out, pivoting back toward the house.


    Back in the living room, Shawn, noticing Zach’s swift return, set his tea cup aside and asked with a


    tinge of curiosity. “Weren’t you going to visit the neighbors next door?”


    Following Zach, Mirabe paused briefly, her gaze shifting to his retreating figure. Her eyes narrowed,


    landing on the paper bag in his hand. Was he not out for a walk?


    ??


    Sensing the scrutiny from behind, Zach felt a flicker of guilt and, without turning around, mumbled to


    Shawn, “It’s gotten toote. I’ll go another day”


    “I did mention it was gettingte, but you wouldn’t listen.” Shawn shook his head in mild reproof. Zach


    was speechless. Great, his dad was the master of timing.


    With a half–smile, Mirabe sidled up to Zach, her tall frame exuding none of the frailty her gender


    might suggest. Shezily slung an arm over his shoulder. ‘Zach, how about I apany you to the


    neighbors‘ right now?”


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    At her touch, Zach nearly jerked away on reflex. Turning to face Mirabe, whose expression seemed


    harmless enough, he couldn’t shake off an eerie feeling.“. Let’s not.”


    His reply came off as forced and awkward. Who would’ve thought he’d be intimidated by his sister, who


    was always so well–behaved and adorable? It was a story no one would believe.


    Delh, carrying a te of freshly sliced fruit, observed her daughter and son standing close in a


    seemingly affectionate exchange. She ced the fruit on the coffee table and remarked to her


    husband, “Zach and our little girl are growing closer by the day.”


    2 22 ± 25 ~ ? 8 9 5 5e


    Zach, wearing a look of inner turmoil, held his tongue.


    Shawn, who had just prepared two cups of coffee, put one back on the tray. He looked at his daughter


    with a gentle expression. “Mira,e have some coffee.”


    “Sure.” Mirabe obediently nodded, withdrawing her arm from Zach’s shoulder to sit down beside


    Shawn.


    Shawn poured the coffee for himself, Mira and his wife.


    Standing aside and slowly realizing something was amiss, Zach adjusted his sses. Had his father


    forgotten something? Didn’t Zach need coffee, too?


    Shawn, oblivious to his son’s expectant gaze, remembered something else. He stood and retrieved a


    square box from a nearby cab,


    “Mira, give this to your ssmate’s dad. The one who gave you that paintingst time,” Shawn handed


    over


    the box.


    11:02