Using one hand, Julian slipped into a bathrobe and stepped out of the bathroom.

    The night of their long–awaited reunion promised to be sleepless. He finally had some rare moments of peace, time to think about Willow, even though she was just in the next room.

    But they were no longer a couple, and disturbing her at this hour would be crossing a line. Besides, she still held a grudge against him.

    By the floor–to–ceiling windows in the living room stood the grand piano. Julian took a bottle of red wine from the cab and poured himself a ss. Leaning against the piano, he sipped the wine, gazing out the window, lost in thought, reflecting on the past.

    The good and the bad, the sweet moments of love and the lingering pain, all weighed heavily on Julian.

    He looked down at his damaged right hand, trying to lift the mug to his lips, but his hand trembled. After a long struggle, the transparent cup fell to the floor.

    The deep red wine spilled onto the beige carpet, staining it a bright hue.

    Julian stared at the stain, lost in the memory. For a moment, the past felt more bitter than the wine.

    The next morning, before Willow could make her appearance, Gabrie had already woken Landon olliup. /li/ol

    She treated him like a doll, carefully dressing him in his tiny clothes and slipping on his shoes. The only thing she didn’t do was brush his teeth.

    Landon blushed, but he was happy. He liked having Gabrie around.

    He thought she was even prettier than Thalia.

    In the dining room downstairs, Julian and Willow sat with Gabrie and Landon for breakfast.

    Gabrie had a tight hold on Landon, making sure he was well taken care of. He sat up straight, concentrating hard on eating, his little hand holding the spoon so cutely.

    In fact, Willow wanted to hold him and feed him. She had never had the chance to feed Landon

    before.

    Julian noticed the longing in her eyes and softly said, “Let him eat on his own. It’s good that he’s bing independent. At kindergarten, the teachers feed him at lunch.”

    Willow gently patted Landon’s head. “Landon, you’re such a good boy.”

    Landon, pleased by the praise, flushed even more and dug in with more enthusiasm.

    Gabrie rested her chin in her hand. “Landon, you look like a little girl when you blush.”

    Landon puffed up his cheeks. “I’m not a little girl! I’m a big, strong boy!”

    But he was still too small to show off any muscles.

    Gabrie quickly apologized, then eximed that she wanted to attend Sunnybrook Kindergarten, so she could look after Landon all day long.

    Willow nced at Julian. “What do you think?”

    Julian thought for a moment before agreeing. “That sounds good. It’ll be more convenient for drop- offs and pick–ups.”

    As Willow and Julian were discussing their ns, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway interrupted their conversation. A few momentster, Mnie walked in.

    Landon obediently called out, “Grandma.”

    Mnie, eager to hold her precious grandson, suddenly froze. Her eyesnded on Willow, then on Gabrie.

    At the dining table, the family of four sat together in perfect harmony.

    This scene was one she had always dreamed of. For countless nights, Mnie had imagined Willow bringing Gabrie back, so they could all be reunited with Julian. Now, seeing them sitting together, Mnie couldn’t quite believe her eyes.

    She blinked and wiped her eyes, making sure she wasn’t imagining things. Once she was sure, covered her mouth, trying not to cry.

    Julian was already used to Mnie’s reactions.

    she

    Although Willow’s rtionship with Mnie wasn’t the best, she still made sure Gabrie greeted her. “Gabrie, this is your father’s mother.”

    Gabrie raised her hand proudly. “I know. Daddy’s mom is Grandma.”

    The room fell silent for a moment.

    But Mnie wasn’t bothered.

    She walked over to Gabrie, her eyes glistening with tears. “You’ve grown so much! You look like Julian. I’m so happy to see you.”

    Gabrie lifted her little chin, then looked at Landon. “Landon, you don’t look like Julian… So, does Grandma not like you?”

    Another silence fell over the room.

    The maids couldn’t help but chuckle. Gabrie was clearly outwitting Mnie.

    Mnieb, /bthough flustered, did her best to maintain herposure. With a strained smile, she replied, “Oh, I like Landon just as much–just the same.”

    Chap