Chapter 40 Someone Came Home

Sienna bwasn’t /bhome for long before heading overseas again.

Jean barely got a few words in with her mom before she was on a ne.

Talk about dedication.

Finished

No wonder she’s the one holding up the Ginger family. A woman should be career–focused–then she doesn’t have time to fall into the trap of

Soon, it was the weekend. Jean had specifically asked Dominic to stay home and eat dinner with her

The man was so busy, Jean never knew what day or hour he’d be around. If she didn’t “book” him early, there was no way her little weekend production could y out

At the moment, Dominic was holed up in the study, buried in who knew what

bJean /bthought about her rtionship with her older brother. Things had eased up a bit–they were closer than before–but it still wasn’t the kind of warm, cozy sibling bond where they’dugh and talk and look out for each other.

His world wasn’t one she could step into.

But whatever. That wasn’t her priority

She wasn’t here to build rtionships. She was here to bmake /bmoney, save money, and then-

Crash and burn in peace!

Just then a sound came from the front door.

“Mr… Winstonb!/b”

The housekeeper’s eyes flew wide open like she’d seen a ghost, the shock stered all over her face.

Winston stood in the doorway, tall band /bstraight.

He wore a ck jacket, cool band /bcoldly handsome, with a sharp edge to his calm.

He didn’te in right away. He stood there at the threshold, dark and chilly gaze sweeping casually across the living room.

Jean bolted from her bedroom to the door.

“Winston.

Seeing him show up on time, just like he’d promised, made Jean genuinely happy.

“Well, well, look who’s here..”

She stuck out her lower lip, pretending to be shocked.

“Your face though. Come on, you’re home can’t you smile a little?”

Winston was speechless.

He looked down at the shoe cab, apparently intending to change shoes before entering-

But there were no slippers for him.

His lips pressed into a line. A faint flicker of annoyance crossed his cool, shadowed eyes.

Chapter 40 Someone Cama Home

Winston lowered his head, clearly irritated, eyes fixed on the floor.

“Winston, what brings you home all of a sudden today?” Jean asked with a smile. pretending she didn’t already know

Winston gave her a side–eye and muttered. “Not telling you.”

“Not telling me?”

Jean grit her teeth.

“Lake I can’t guess. Come on, stop pretending

Winston shot her a cold nce, but surprisingly, didn’t seem annoyed by her teasing.

The knot in his chest seemed to loosen under her relentless chatter.

He didn’t even know why–this was just a simple visit home, and yet bhis /bchest felt tight, his whole body tense.

Like something inside him had been wound too tightly. Like he couldn’t breathe.

Maybe this was that old saving–the closer to home, the greater the fear

Or maybe it was the deep–seated difort he felt toward the idea of “home” itself.

But right now, Jean’s annoying little voice was easing those nerves bit by bit.

The housekeeper returned and respectfully ced the slippers at Winston’s feet.

Suddenly-

Footsteps echoed from the staircase.

Dominic appeared, dressed in a crisp bwhite /bloungewear set, walking bdown /bsteadily.

Finished

He’d nned it perfectly,ing downstairs just in time for dinner. What he hadn’t nned for–Was seeing Winston standing at the door.

His gaze locked onto Winston’s cool, aloof face.

Dominic, who’d seen his fair bshare /bof wild things, actually froze for a second

Of all the scenarios he’d imagined, not once had he thought-

That Winston woulde home on a random night like this.

The one thing he’d never been able to aplish was happening right before his eyes

Dominic quickly recovered hisposure and strode toward the door.

He looked at bhis /byounger brother with dark eyes, emotion swirling beneath the surface, but his face stayed calm and cold. His voice was t. “You’re back.”

“Yeah. Winston bgave /ba casual nod

“That was sudden” Dominic looked him over. “You should’ve let me know in advance.”

“No need “Winston brushed past him into the living room, his handsome face tinged with the busual /bindifference.

Jean followed behind the two of them.

“You didn’t seem so willing before,” Dominic said bas /bthey walked side by side. “Changed your mind?”

Chapter 4 Simeone Car inme

He turned his head and met Dominic’s riqually intense stare. I’m just here for a meal.”

Dominic’s lips pressed into a tight line. His gaze deepened.

bRight /bon cue, dinner was served. The table was ready

Finished

Winston sat down first, picking a random spot and slouching into his seat.

bAnd /bso, the dinner began–awkward and silent.

bJust /bblike /bJean expected.

Neither of them spoke. Neither of them tried to break the ice.

The atmosphere was absolutely freezing

Jean’s eyes flicked between Dominic and Winston

Seriously! Neither of you is gonna bsay /banything? This air pressure is about to kill me,

Across the table, both men’s hands paused at the same time.

Almost in sync, they lifted their heads and looked at Jean.

“Ahem.” Dominie cleared his throat, trying to break the silence.

Winston, for some reason, curved his blips /binto a slight smile. He picked up a clump of vegetables and ced them into Jean’s bowl. For once, he sounded almost friendly. “Kids should eat more greens”

Jean looked at Winston, then at the veggies.

I hate vegetables. But since you finally came home, you win. I’ll eat them–for the sake of your smile.

With the resolve of someone about to face their doom, Jean shoved the vegetables into her mouth–and immediately, her face scrunched up in disgust.

Ugh! Why is this so bitter? Winston, are you trying to kill me? What do you get out of this!!

bWinston /blooked genuinely amused. For once, the usual gloom on his face faded into something real–a sincere smile.

Dominic, still somewhat humane, quickly passed Jean a ss of water.

She snatched it gratefully and gulped it down, washing the bitterness out of her mouth.

This little moment, strangely enough, seemed to lighten the mood.

Jean wiped her mouth and looked btoward /bthe entrance of the dining room.

She’d actually prepared a little “surprise” for tonight’s dinner.

Time to serve the main course.

Send Gifts

15