, 20th J

ng the arrival of their guests from Sydney. The terminal was bustling wi

by Grace, who quickly alerted the res

ace's mother, Maria, couldn't contai

joined their mom, leaving Mr. McCullen and Grace's fou

ears. "Look at you kids!" She exclaimed as she hugged Grace and Ayla

connect with his childhood best friend and cousin, even

a's playful comment evoked laughter as she leaned toward Anne, continui

young lady." Anne's eyes were filled with fondness as she gazed at Grace

special meal wafting from the kitchen. With Dorian's help, Audrey

" Audrey asked, her gaze fixed on

he hospital to babysit that chubby one..." He gestured toward Grace, whose face d

nner, her playful giggles filling the air. Grace couldn't help but f

made her way back upstairs to her room, only to find Tobias and Ayla sprawled c

bias's presence anywhere in the house. She had to wait nearly an hour for

y, who had remained silent after the incident. She suspected he

•

22nd J

's forte, and her parents were especially cautious about her engaging in any strenuous activities due to her health. They treated her with extreme fragility, as tho

most delectable pancakes the world had ever tasted. The kitchen was in disarray, strewn with flour and eggs

race's hopes that he might have matured over the years, t

ir akin to Grace's caramel strands. Hers was a blend of blonde hues

ou promise to be nice to me, Grace," Tobi

Grace retorted. "I'll p

rn laced Tob

"Over the years, I've learned to keep m

best frie

e. Not

ense that you're upset with me. Did I unintentionally

usin about her fear of forming new attachments. The fewer people she let into her life, the safer she fe

owed that she valued their friendship more than a

don't need another best friend, Grace silently reasoned before

ed her siblings forgoing Audrey's sandwiches in favor of multiple rounds of Tobias's pancakes. S

as resolute in reciprocating her coldness, intending to pay her back for refusi