(ARIELLE''S POV)


    The days flew by and it was soon the weekend-the time for the family dinner, and it also doubled as the day Jared was supposed to leave my house. It had been three days since ourst conversation, and he had kept his distance and avoided me entirely. In return, I remained silent, though the weight of the silence hurt more than I cared to admit.


    Even Maverick had picked up on the tension, innocently asking if Daddy had made Mommy mad, one time at dinner. I managed to force a smile, reassuring him that everything was fine, though I struggled to convince myself of it.


    "Sweetie, now that you''re done eating, why don''t you go watch the TV for an hour before bedtime?" I interrupted when he tried to probe further.


    I watched him go, feeling sad and guilty. This thing between me and Jared wasn''t fair to him. He deserved better than to be stuck in the middle of our issues, and t was better Jared left so our lives could return to normalcy.


    As we drove to the mansion, with Jared behind the wheels, Maverick excitedly told Jared about my answers to his question earlier about where we were going. He seemed excited about meeting with his paternal granny and great-granny as he bounced up and down in his seat.


    "Mom said we''re meeting with my granny and great-granny," he eximed.


    Jared nodded, his eyes briefly meeting mine in the rearview mirror, before looking away. At that point, I mustered the courage to take in his appearance.


    He was dressed in ck pants, a crisp ck shirt, and a gray tuxedo. Jared was a handsome man, and the way the clothes fitted him like a second skin was proof of that.


    I involuntarilypared his dress to mine, and I was grateful I was equally dressed nicely. In a ck body con dress and golden strap heels, matching color bags, dropping good earrings, my hair styled up, and my face in nude makeup, I was indeed dressed well for the


    asion.


    "That''s right, buddy," Jared responded, smiling at Maverick. "They''re excited to meet with you."


    That seemed to make Maverick even more excited as he kept chattering, asking Jared questions about his grannies. Jared answered all of them happily and patiently.


    I watched them, feeling a sense of nostalgia enveloping me. This was what family was supposed to be like: happy, interactive, and loving.


    "Are they nice, Daddy?" Maverick continued.


    "Yes, baby. They''re very nice," Jared responded. "You''ll like them."


    I remained mute all the while, listening and observing, my mind wandering to the impending Dinner. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t get rid of the feeling that this dinner invitation was about something. Nana Jean was always up to something and I couldn''t wait to find out what it was.


    Before long, we pulled up into the mansion, and Jared parked in the lot. We alighted, and the butler approached us, taking our belongings and weing us warmly.


    "Wee, it''s so lovely to see you all," he said, beaming at Maverick especially. "Please,e in. Nana Jean is waiting for you, and your mother, too."


    We thanked him and followed him into the house, and Nana Jean appeared, a warm smile on her face. She looked elegant as well, in a pale pink gown and pearls. "Arielle, darling! It''s so lovely to see you," she eximed, opening her arms for a hug.


    I hugged her back, epting thefort it brought. She had always been kind to me, weing me to the family with open arms.


    "Nana Jean, this is Maverick," I said, stepping aside to reveal our son. "Your great grandson."


    Her eyes widened in delight as she


    She


    took in Maverick''s appearance. rushed over to pick him up and pulled him into a hug, and Maverick giggled and hugged her back.


    "Oh, my goodness! He''s adorable," she said, her eyes glistening with admiration. "I can see why Jared is so smitten with him."


    Me and Jared''s eyes met, and thereN?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    was a look of sadness in them, and I quickly looked away. I felt somewhat guilty because he wouldn''t return with us after dinner.


    Maverick was unaware of thetest development yet, and I felt almost horrible for trying to keep a distance between both of them.


    But I shoved the thoughts aside, deciding toe back to itter. After the pleasantries, Nana Jean politely asked to talk to me in private.


    "Arielle, Honey, may I briefly have a word with you?


    "Of course," I replied, rising from my seat to follow her.


    She led me to the foyer and paused to face me. Her eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled at me fondly.


    "Firstly, thank you foring, dear," she began. "I truly appreciate it."


    I nodded, grateful as well. She''s always been kind to me and I was d I honored the invitation.


    "I know you are just wondering why I


    called for this dinner. Well, here''s the reason; I believe it''s time for our family toe together," she said watching me, her eyes pleading. It''s time for us to leave the past behind and focus on the future. This dinner is meant to be a moment of healing, a chance for us to start over."


    I was genuinely taken aback, but at the same time, not. I knew the dinner was definitely about something, I just didn''t expect it to be this.


    I nodded regardless, hoping things would y out that way. "I hope so, too."


    Nana Jean smiled and patted my hand. "You go ahead, dear. I have something to tend to, but I''ll join you shortly for dinner."


    I nodded and watched her walk away. Exhaling, I made my way to the dining room


    But as I entered the dining room, I was surprised to see that only Maverick was seated at the table, being entertained by the butler. Jared''s seat was empty.


    I sat down and thanked the butler. "Thank you."


    He bowed and left the room. And I leaned over to Maverick, and asked, "Where''s your Dad, sweetie?"


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