For the first time in years, Ethan's snarky comment did not put Everly off she was still smiling ear to ear. Ethan knew something was wrong. She would usually throw a fit and end up crying in the bathroom for a long time. When Ethan first retired he got into many arguments with his wife which made him almost regret his decision. A friend told him the reason his wife was sensitive was because she was entering menopause. Ethan read up on menopause and his wife's current state was close to most of the symptoms he saw there. She was usually sweet and kind but she turned to someone who was always finding a way to complain about everything. They entered their room after dropping Kieran off in his room. Everly marked Saturday on her phone's calendar. She dropped the phone on the huge vanity table before going to remove her makeup and change into her nightdress. Ethan moved closer to where she dropped her phone. If he was being honest his wife's attitude that night did not make sense. He

Arabella woke up a bit later than she usually did. She felt exhausted from the day before and the day before that. She traveled in and then immediately had to resume work. She partially blamed her mom for what happened to her. Her mom had insisted that she states back to attend her snobby cousin's wedding when she was barely interested in her. Arabella sat in her bed staring at the wall in front of her. 'It would be wrong of me to go on a break after spending only a day. It would give Aurora more reasons to bully me' Arabella thought inwardly. Her phone vibrated on the bedside stand she looked at the screen and it was her mom. "Hello, Okaasan" Arabella said putting the phone to her ear. "Hana, you left us and forgot about us," Ava said in an accusing tone. "Mother" Arabella cried out. She knew her mom and she was the best at manipulating someone emotionally. She did it every time Arabella went to college and did not call her mother. She spoke with her mom when she landed in Cres

The test of breakfast was quiet. Kieran and Arabella left as Everly pushed them out to get going. Everly could never understand Gen Z start-ups. They went drinking and then everyone had to resume by noon the next day. She knew that most of them would probably still be hung over. Her son had a high tolerance for alcohol and yet he was still so hung over. She wondered how it would be for those of them with extremely low tolerance. "Get in the car. I forgot something and I need to get it" Kieran said opening the car with the remote in his hands. Arabella watched as Kieran walked back into the house. She stood beside the door waiting for him. A few moments later he was striding back out looking good. She was not interested in him but it would be a lie if she did not admit his beauty. "I told you to get in the car," he said when he saw him standing outside. "I have something to tell you," she said before he could step into the car. "And you would tell me while I drive. We are running

Arabella could not believe that he was asking her that. Was he a child? He could lie or evade the question. She wanted to tell him her thoughts but then realized how wrong they sounded when she tried to say them out. "What?" he asked her. "I can't do that" he added turning to the road that leads to their office. "My mom had been happier these two days you have been around than the past six months. I don't know what it is but it seems like she is slipping into depression and ain't talking to my dad or me about it. We are very worried. If you make her happy then I would do everything in my power to make it stay the same" he said. He had noticed his mom's withdrawal from things she did normally and her constant bickering with his dad. He had noticed the way she went silent from her constant talking previously. Arabella was too stunned to speak. She concluded that Kieran was a boy who had his heart ripped out and could not observe his surroundings. On the contrary, he was able to analy

"What took you so long?" Chole asked going to pull Arabella's hand when she made her way into the office. Chole's eyes caught Kieran coming behind and she pulled Arabella faster into the coffee room. "Did you come with Kieran?" Chole whispered in a shout as she closed the door to the room. Arabella bit her upper lip till it hurt a little. How could she tell Chole that she still came to Kieran despite the situation with Aurora? She nodded her head gently and Chole sighed loudly running her hand through her head. Everyone knew Aurora to be a sweet and loving person but Chole saw that she was going to bully Arabella for knowing Kieran. "Why?" Chole said her voice strained. "I tried to explain to him why I needed to go on my own but he was adamant about taking me to the office" Arabella explained. "Did you guys date before?" Chole said in the mood for gossip. "How can you say that?" Arabella said her hand going up to her mouth to cover it before she can go any further. "That is th