"Yay!" Joe applauded with glee, grinning and drooling.

"Oh dear!" Camila was quick to clean up his dribble.

Suddenly, Annis rose to her feet.

“I should probably get going."

"No, no, stick around for dinner," Camila insisted.

“Well, I..."

"Alick will be here soon."

Hardly had she finished speaking when the doorbell chimed.

Isaac, being nearest to the door, got up to answer it.

At the door, Alick stood with a large cardboard box, filled to the brim with various items, as if it could burst at any moment.

Isaac gestured towards his study.

"Leave it in here for now."

Alick lugged the box into the room. Upon setting it down, an object toppled from the top.

A diary, adorned with a red umbrella pattern on its cover, something typically fancied by girls.

Isaac bent down to retrieve it.

Flipping it open, he recognized Camila's penmanship.

He assumed it to be her reading notes. As he was about to set it aside, his eyes inadvertently fell on an entry that echoed her sentiments.

His brows furrowed as he digested the words.

Anger swelled within him.

"Dinner's ready."