Unable to resist, Edwin kissed her cheek and carried her inside. In the dining room, Laura was arranging the table with the help of servants, her expression tinged with worry.

After setting Leyla down, Edwin caught his wife's anxious gaze.

Glancing upstairs, Laura asked in a subdued tone, "What happened? Did you talk to him? Was there... a fight with Dylan?"

Edwin patted Leyla on the head, sending her to play with her cousins.

Once she was out of earshot, he replied, "Yes, we fought. Well, more like I punched him a few times. He didn't retaliate; he knows he's in the wrong."

Laura remained silent.

Though she had always gotten along with Dylan, her loyalty was to Olivia, her family. Given Dylan's recent actions, she was prepared to support Olivia's decisions without hesitation.

Continuing with her task, Laura's gentle demeanor was illuminated by the room's soft lighting.

Edwin stepped closer and embraced her softly. "You're not going to defend him?"

In a gentle voice, Laura responded, "I'll follow your lead on this."

He looked deeply into her eyes, and then tenderly caressed her waist before heading upstairs to call Olivia for dinner.

As he ascended, Edwin reflected on his fortune in having Laura.

Olivia had intended to live independently, but Laura had insisted she move in with them. Laura had argued that their children, Scott and Myrna, were grown and she wouldn't need to worry overly about them.

After the baby arrived, she promised to help Olivia, despite her own busy schedule assisting their children with their studies. Edwin knew how much Laura already did for their family, yet her care extended graciously to Olivia.

So Edwin decided to curtail his social activities.

He recognized that Olivia was his sister and he could not expect Laura to shoulder the responsibility alone. Laura deserved her own time to enjoy life.

Edwin ascended the stairs without mentioning Dylan, and Olivia didn't ask either.

They shared a quiet dinner and afterward, each attended to their personal activities. Later in the evening, Edwin took Leyla with them, explaining that she would stay in their room for a few nights to give Olivia some space.

In the solitude of the night, Olivia continued her artwork, focusing on her comics series. This time, she altered the ending.

The three little bears did not end up together, but went their separate ways, each forging a new path.

As she finalized this somber conclusion, Olivia was momentarily lost in thought, tempted to revert to the happier original. However, she ultimately settled on the darker narrative.

Close to 11 p.m., she organized her desk and prepared for bed.

After her nightly routine, she climbed into bed and pulled out a book of poems, reading by lamplight. About ten minutes later, her phone vibrated with a call from an unknown number, late at night.

She had a strong hunch about who it might be and chose not to answer, wishing to sever all ties with Dylan.