Dexter avoided Felicia's gaze, guilt weighing heavily upon him. He had visited the Lawson residence, ostensibly to reject Matthew's proposal to marry Felicia and Arnold, but had instead agreed to the arrangement, effectively trading Felicia to serve his own interests. Felicia's decision to remain at the dormitory had been a relief, but seeing her now filled him with guilt, making it impossible to meet her eyes.

Myra felt a conflict of emotions. Felicia's furious reaction to Myra's slap in the car had left a lasting impression, revealing a depth of understanding Myra lacked. Something about Felicia felt unfamiliar and even frightening.

Kayla, unusually subdued, was still recovering from facial injuries, her face bandaged. The sight of Felicia filled her with apprehension, fearing another outburst.

A heavy tension hung over the trio at the dining table, each harboring their own thoughts. Felicia, long accustomed to being singled out, remained unaffected. Sebastian's arrival, following a phone call, immediately disrupted the strained atmosphere; his furrowed brow betraying his perception of something amiss. The three at the table reacted with simultaneous surprise and delight.

Dexter feigned anger. "You brat, so you do know your way home, huh?"

Myra's joy was evident. The harsh scrape of her chair against the floor as she rose underscored her haste to greet him. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming home? We would have picked you up at the airport. You've lost weight! You must be exhausted."

Kayla cried out in delight, clinging to Sebastian's arm. "Sebastian, you're finally back! I've missed you so much."

Slightly overwhelmed by their enthusiasm, Sebastian subtly withdrew his hand. Before he could speak, he noticed Felicia quietly ascending the stairs to her room, her back straight, her composure unwavering. She had always faced adversity alone, whether school bullies or familial neglect.

Sebastian frowned. He had assumed Felicia would be well cared for upon her return to the Fuller family, that Dexter and Myra would shower her with affection. Clearly, that was far from the truth.

Ignoring Kayla, Sebastian turned to Myra. "Mom, what happened at home while I was away?"

Myra hesitated. "Well, we brought Felicia back..."

"I know that. What else?"

"Nothing much, really..." Myra avoided his gaze, guilt evident.

Kayla's eyes flickered. She smiled sweetly. "Oh, there's something big. Felicia is getting engaged to Arnold; the wedding is the week after next. It's going to be a joyous occasion."

Sebastian's frown deepened. "To whom? Arnold? But isn't Arnold supposed to be..." He left the sentence unfinished, the implication clear.

"It's all in the past..." Kayla forced a smile, her eyes reddening.

Sebastian's expression hardened. He approached the dining table and looked at Dexter. "Dad, let's have a talk in the study after dinner."