Chapter 95: Not As Petty As You

At that moment, George was filled with the tender warmth of a father’s affection. No matter how serious a mistake Caleb might have made, he knew he could forgive him without hesitation.

Upon hearing George’s words, Caleb replied obediently, “Yes, Dad. If something like this happens again, I’ll be sure to let you know in advance.”

“Have a seat,” George said gently, though a pang of regret lingered in his heart. I shouldn’t have been so harsh with Caleb yesterday. After twenty years of living together, Caleb had become an irreplaceable member of the Quixall family. If disaster struck, it was his duty as the father to shoulder the burden—not Caleb’s.

George wanted to apologize, yet each time he tried to speak, the words caught in his throat. We’ll talk about this another time. Caleb is my son. He’ll understand.

Deborah watched the scene unfold with a warm smile. “Just earlier, Caleb brought me some fruit. He’s really quite thoughtful.”

“Really? That’s wonderful.” George smiled, his affection for Caleb growing even deeper. During the meal, both George and Deborah continuously served Caleb more food, remarking that he had lost weight and needed to eat more. Caleb didn’t resist and accepted their gestures with ease. He felt as if he had traveled back in time, back to the days before Jesse arrived. But he was well aware of the underlying tensions simmering beneath the surface of the dining table.

Observing the scene, Raquel was consumed by resentment. While Jesse was still in the hospital, Caleb was there, eating to his heart’s content. The very obstacles she had placed in Caleb’s path had ironically worked in his favor, helping him win back the affection of George and Deborah. She couldn’t stand it.

Then, an idea struck her. “Mrs. Quixall, when we take Jesse his meal later, why don’t we give him a little extra pasta? He mentioned that he’s been eating light meals lately and misses the pasta you used to make.”

Deborah’s face lit up with joy. Let him feel neglected.

Raquel nodded in agreement. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

After glancing around, Deborah asked, “Did Jesse mention anything else? Apart from pasta, is there anything else he wants to eat?”

Raquel chuckled lightly. “He said he’d like to have more meat. Ever since he fell ill, everything has tasted so bland to him. It’s been terribly uncomfortable.”

Deborah smiled. “Jeez…”

“Right, Jesse also said…”

“What else did he say?”

“He said… he never wants to eat seafood again.”

The moment those words left her lips, the cheerful atmosphere at the dining table dissipated. After a long pause, George’s face grew tense, and he was the first to break the silence. “Just serve more of the other dishes. Let’s not talk about this for now.”

Everyone could hear the restrained anger in his words. No one dared to speak out of turn or risk drawing his ire. Caleb continued eating in silence, not saying a word until the meal was over. Although Deborah didn’t outwardly display her frustration, her mood was evident to anyone paying attention. She had stopped serving Caleb his food.

Caleb remained unbothered. He finished his meal calmly and then returned to the second floor. Raquel stood firmly in front of Caleb’s doorway, blocking his entry.

“Caleb, if you apologize to me now, I’ll forget about everything that happened last night,” she said, her chin raised high, radiating an air of superiority.

Caleb chuckled softly. “You’re about to become my sister-in-law, and yet you dare to confront me so openly? Aren’t you worried Jesse might take offense?”

Raquel’s expression shifted. “He’s not as petty as you.”

“Really? Then what would he think if he saw this?”

Chapter 96: I Was Wrong