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(LVIII.)

Alicia engulfed her son in a hug when he stepped through the doorway.

"How was school?"

"Worse," he grumbled out. He shook her hands off him, and sidestepped her.

She stared at his back, bewildered. "What happened?"

"Nothing." He hurried up the staircase to his room on the second floor, before she could press on. He tossed his bag on his bed and followed suit in a more aggressive manner.

For the millionth time, his mind tried to process what had happened in school with Jessica. It didn't take extra intelligence to figure out that she was avoiding him. Yes, they had kissed. Yes, they had been ignorant of their kinship when it happened. Still, she had to understand that she wasn't the only one bothered. He was, too. It was painful to realise that he'd fallen for the wrong girl. All the things he'd planned they would do together had gone down the drain. He wasn't a fan of incest, and would never attempt to give it a shot.

Tonight, he and his family would be meeting the Snowdens. The inevitable family reunion bound to happen. It was the reason his mother had hugged him at the front door. After all, he was the one who had made the discovery, caused the two families to unite. The Curtises and the Tons.

He wondered why Jessica never told him about her late father. At first, he understood that she couldn't handle the pain from his death. But she should've said something, anything. Perhaps, she'd intended to open up when they start dating. Which they wouldn't do anymore.

Doudall got ready a few hours later. He was dressed in a long-sleeved buttoned shirt and designer dress pants. He picked up his phone and wallet, and went downstairs to see if his brother was ready.

To his surprise, Dudley was on the floor, limp legs folded under him, in casual shirt and shorts, and playing checkers with Celeste. Both of them looked up from their game to the dashing boy standing at the door.

"Why aren't you dressed?" His gaze shifted to his brother's caretaker who was also seated on the floor cross-legged.

"I'm not going," Dudley said glumly. He quickly glanced at the floor.

Doudall glared at the checker board. "What do you mean you're not going? Celeste?"

"Mrs Ton said he will remain at home." The woman leaned forward and made a move on the board.

This sparked the younger boy to continue with his game.

"Excuse me." Doudall shut the door and marched to the master bedroom.

His parents were already coming out of the room when he got closer to their door.

"Ah. Henry, you're dressed already." His mother assessed his attire with analytical eyes.

"I'm not leaving until Dude gets dressed."

"Henry." His mother sighed. "We can't have him rolling around. It's too-"

Instant anger flooded his veins. "It's too what? Shameful? Tiring? We're leaving with Dude, or we're not leaving at all."

Merlin stepped forward, one hand in the right pocket. "Who gets to make the decisions, Henry? Shut your mouth and get in the car."

"No," he fired back. This took his parents by surprise. He rarely had arguments with both of them at once. In fact, he never had. "I want to understand why my brother, who is also part of the family, can't come to a 'family' dinner. Are you ashamed the Snowdens will see you have a son in a wheelchair?"

"I'm not ashamed," Alicia cut in. "I'm afraid of what they'll do or say to him."

"The Snowdens are not like that."