Chapter 2095

The year’s final days arrived in a whirl of frost and red paper lanterns. Cecilia filled the dining room with boxes of gifts, including dried fruits, cured meats, and bright tins of biscuits.

She first shipped half to Alphonse and Bethany, then stacked the rest neatly for her own household.

New Year’s Eve dawned silver and cold.

By afternoon, Cecilia and Nathaniel guided their children through the wrought-iron gates of Rainsworth Manor. Four little ones tumbled across polished floors, their laughter echoing against vaulted ceilings, but at the dinner table, an undercurrent of tension crackled between Elena and her husband, Wren, like two storm clouds refusing to clear.

Wren set down his wineglass with a hard click. “Nathaniel, ring Nicholas. Tell him New Year’s Eve is not optional. He comes home tonight.”

Nicholas had been absent from the manor for months, and every invitation, plea, or command Wren issued had been met with cold silence.

“Dad,” Nathaniel answered slowly, “Nicholas isn’t a child anymore. If he wants to return, he will. If he doesn’t, forcing him will only push him further.”