Chapter 386
Memories instantly pulled him back twenty years.
Two young teenagers, their eyes only for each other.
That thin, unspoken barrier between them had never been breached.
Theodore's heart stirred slightly, and he was just about to speak.
But Emilia suddenly stood up.
Her smile was gentle. "Look at me... I should call you brother-in-law now."
She turned to the man beside her. "Let me introduce you. This is my husband, David Sullivan."
'Brother-in-law.'
'My husband.'
Theodore's breath hitched.
His gaze fell on the man next to Emilia.
David, completely unaware, warmly invited Theodore to sit.
He even fetched a clean bowl and chopsticks for him.
Theodore's lips moved.
Finally, only two words came out. "...Thank you."
David's cooking skills were exceptional to begin with.
Today, he had put in extra effort.
The dishes were, naturally, impeccable.
The elderly couple praised them endlessly.
Throughout the meal, David attentively looked after Emilia and Sophia.
He peeled shrimp for his wife and served food to his daughter.
Sophia looked at the small mountain in her bowl and said helplessly, "Dad, I haven't finished what I already have."
Emilia chuckled lightly. "Stop serving me too. If I can't finish, you'll have to clean my plate, you know?"
"No problem," David replied cheerfully.
It was usual for him to finish whatever Emilia couldn't eat.
David was completely accustomed to it.
But to others, these words carried a different meaning—
Theodore's eyes darkened.
Irene curled her lips in a mocking smile.
Trying to act all loving?
Sebastian focused on his meal, as if in a vacuum, indifferent to everything around him.
The old man and woman exchanged a glance.
They had previously worried David wasn't good enough for their daughter.
Now, they were concerned this simple son-in-law might be taken advantage of.
After all—
Everyone present could see Emilia had David wrapped around her finger.
And he seemed utterly delighted, completely content with the arrangement.
It was truly...
A perfect match.
David, considering the old woman's poor teeth and preference for light flavors, specially served her a bowl of tofu and three-delicacy soup.
"It's just the right temperature now, and the meat is stewed until tender, Mom. You can eat without worry."
"Ah! Thank you, I can serve myself…"
Despite her words, David personally placed the soup bowl in front of the old woman.
"Don't just drink the soup, have some dishes too…"
"Alright."
Isaac preferred stronger flavors, but his health indicators were a bit high.
David prepared some light, refreshing side dishes for him, paired with low-sugar braised pork.
The elderly couple exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with relief.
At this moment, they finally believed their daughter had been living well all these years.
Theodore kept watching Emilia out of the corner of his eye.
He saw her serving the old woman, whispering to David, occasionally checking on their daughter…
She also smiled and urged him and Irene to eat more during the meal.
She handled the host's warmth and courtesy perfectly.
She was completely different from the willful, proud, socially-averse young lady she used to be.
"...Honey, brother-in-law is asking you something?" Irene smiled, but her hand under the table pinched him hard.
Theodore snapped back to attention. "...Sorry, I was thinking about something else. What did you say?"
David: "I noticed you aren't eating much. Would you like me to get you a bowl of rice?"
Theodore waved his hand. "No need, I can help myself…"
"Don't stand on ceremony. We're family." Before he could finish, David had already added two large spoonfuls of white rice to his bowl.
"…"
"Honey, see how considerate brother-in-law is? No wonder our Emilia fell for him." Irene smiled at her husband, but her eyes were full of sarcasm.
Theodore lowered his head to eat, ignoring her.
Irene gritted her teeth in anger but had to suppress her rage.
...
After lunch, David took the initiative to clear the table.
Sophia helped.
Emilia wasn't idle either; while her husband and daughter washed dishes, she wiped the table and cut fruit.
The elderly couple sat on the sofa watching TV.
Sebastian excused himself, citing work, and left first.
Only Theodore and Irene remained.
The old woman finally found time to ask: "Theodore, what brings you here?"
"Of course I told him." Irene answered with a smile.
The old woman gave her a surprised look.
"Mom, what's that look for? Shouldn't Theodore, as brother-in-law, be the first to know that our sister has been found? Besides, he's put a lot of effort into searching for Emilia all these years!"
The old woman: "Is that really what you think?"
"What else could I be thinking? About their past relationship? Whether seeing each other again now might rekindle old flames?"
The old man and old woman's expressions changed simultaneously.
Theodore's gaze turned cold. "Irene, watch your language! Choose your words carefully!"
"I'm not shouting or causing a scene. Isn't this speaking properly? How should I speak then? 'Theodore~ dear~' like this? Satisfied?"
Theodore: "You're being utterly unreasonable!"
Irene wasn't angry. She glanced at the fuming elderly couple and smiled faintly. "Of course I trust Emilia. She has such a wonderful husband; why would she still be interested in her brother-in-law? I'm just afraid someone's dream hasn't ended after decades, still coveting things they shouldn't!"
"Enough—" Theodore said coldly, "You don't need to use these words to hint at me. Nothing will happen. Even if you do nothing, nothing will occur. And what you can't stop will happen eventually, no matter how hard you try. Are you satisfied with this answer?"
"You—" Irene trembled with anger. She looked at the silent elderly couple and let out a cold laugh. "Fine. You're the family. I'm the outsider. I'm leaving!"
She picked up her bag and strode out.
When Emilia came out with the fruit platter, she didn't see Irene and asked, "Where's sister?"
Theodore: "She had something to attend to and left first."
Emilia didn't think much of it and actively invited Theodore to stay for dinner.
"No, I have work to handle. I should get going."
"So soon?"
Theodore smiled wryly.
Emilia: "Then let me walk you out."
"Alright."
They walked through the garden.
No flowers bloomed in the depths of winter, but the green potted plants were exceptionally well-maintained.
Theodore: "Did you plant these?"
Emilia smiled and shook her head. "I wouldn't know how to handle these. They're all David's treasures. There's even a small vegetable patch in the backyard. The greens we had at lunch were grown by him."
Mentioning David, Emilia's lips unconsciously curved upward.
She didn't notice this small detail herself.
But Theodore saw it clearly.
He couldn't describe the feeling in his heart.
Even though Emilia was right beside him, he felt like a thousand mountains and rivers separated them.