Chapter 612

"Dad, you don't look well. Are you feeling okay?"

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly as her gaze locked onto Andrew's unusually pale face. She avoided direct questioning, afraid to brush against that suffocating truth.

Andrew waved it off with a forced smile. "It's nothing. Your mother kept me up half the night insisting on picking out my outfit."

Grace shot him a glare. "Those old clothes of yours have seen better days. We're going out as a family—you should look presentable."

"What's wrong with this jacket?" Andrew tugged at the collar defensively. "It's comfortable and durable."

Anthony chuckled, playing peacemaker. "Andrew's right. My tracksuit is years old too. Comfort matters most for outings."

The atmosphere between both families was unexpectedly harmonious.

Margaret stood aside, eyes glistening with quiet joy.

Alexander loaded the luggage alone. When the driver Daisy moved to assist, he declined gently. "Check if Mr. Anderson needs anything."

Daisy hesitated, glancing at Evelyn for guidance.

Evelyn gave a subtle shake of her head.

Andrew's gaze kept drifting to Alexander. Though silent, approval shone unmistakably in his eyes.

"Mom, Dad, you and Emily should ride with me." Evelyn calculated the seating. "Alexander can take Margaret, Anthony, and Teresa."

The arrangement drew clear lines between intimacy and courtesy.

Anthony and Teresa, though yearning to be closer to their daughter, respected boundaries and ushered Margaret into Alexander's SUV.

Daisy promptly returned to the Anderson family's standby vehicle.

Soon, only Evelyn's immediate family and Alexander remained.

Alexander tactfully prepared to leave when Andrew suddenly spoke. "Your car has an extra seat, doesn't it?"

Everyone froze.

"It does," Alexander responded fastest.

Andrew turned to Evelyn. "You should ride with him. Three people in the backseat would be too cramped."

The excuse was flimsy at best.

Evelyn's nose stung. Her father had never cared about such trivialities—this was undeniably a nudge toward reconciliation.

"Dad, I finally have time to spend with you—"

"Sis!" Emily clutched her ankle dramatically. "My foot hurts from standing too long."

Evelyn sighed at her sister's betrayal.

Andrew immediately supported his younger daughter. "Grace, help me with her." The trio quickly piled into the car, leaving Evelyn no room to protest.

Grace whispered sharply, "Yesterday you said you'd just let bygones be bygones. Now you're matchmaking?"

"People must move forward," Andrew evaded. "Besides, can you name anyone who treats Evelyn better than him?"

Emily interjected slyly, "Mom, I want the front seat!"

"Fine, you win." Grace's attention was successfully diverted.

Outside, Evelyn watched her father's retreating figure, eyes burning. She turned abruptly before her tears could surface.

Alexander waited silently beside her until she steadied herself. "Let's go."

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn followed him to the SUV. With the backseat occupied, she had no choice but the passenger side.

Their synchronized seatbelt clicks echoed oddly in the quiet cabin.

Through the rearview mirror, Margaret observed the pair, her smile deepening. "Drive carefully, Alexander. We've got elders aboard."

"Understood, Mom." Alexander started the engine with practiced ease.