"Cecilia doesn't hate you or anything like that. She's just too shy to give this to you herself."

Laura hummed her thanks.

She murmured, "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Evans."

Mark stroked her hair, sighing.

"You've grown so much."

Then, snapping back to reality, he said, “Go to Edwin. He's waiting."

Laura, clutching her gifts, found Edwin by the car, dressed sharply in a white shirt, grey trousers, and a sleek black wool overcoat.

She handed him the gifts from Mark.

Edwin stored them in the car, and then caressed her face, teasing, “About to cry?"

Laura denied it.

But Edwin glanced at the house and saw someone fleeting. He warmly suggested, "Go say goodbye to my Mom. Okay?"

Laura, often appearing younger around Edwin, promptly went upstairs.

Cecilia, hearing her approach, inwardly cursed her son but quickly masked her emotions.

Laura knocked gently.

"Mrs. Evans."

Cecilia feigned surprise.

“Leaving already?"

Laura nodded.

Cecilia, returning to her book, spoke detachedly.

"Tell Edwin to drive safely. I'm tied up with the family and Mark... I can't watch over you two. You two need to fend for yourselves.”