When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0821

In the blink of an eye, it was the day before Easter. The sounds of the parade with hymns and prayers echoed through the streets, while the warm spring breeze brought the festive spirit indoors.

“Morning, Mimi. Why didn’t you sleep in a little longer?”

“Morning, Grandpa!” Miranda had just come downstairs when she spotted Aren in the living room, brewing tea. There was a pair of walnut–colored hand warmers resting by his side.

“What do you feel like having for breakfast?”

“Whatever’s in the kitchen is fine–I’m not picky,” Miranda replied with a smile.

After breakfast, it was only 8:30 am. Assuming Lionel and Mindy were still asleep, Miranda prepared to head upstairs to call them. To her surprise, Mindy had already retreated to the study with her laptop, while Lionel had gone out shopping with Fiona.

By 7:00 am, before the sun even rose, Lionel and Fiona had set off for the morning market with the driver. They returned by 9:30 am, and they seemed to have grown closer.

“Lionel, you really know so much! You even know how to haggle!” Fiona exclaimed in awe.

“Oh, not at all! I just buy groceries often, so maybe I have a tiny bit more experience than others…” Lionel chuckled.

Her simple compliment left him blushing furiously.

The household staff had been given a break for the holiday, leaving only two chefs and a driver. As soon as Fiona got home and finished sorting the groceries, she dove straight into the kitchen, clearly intent on making the evening feast a memorable one.

Eager to make a good impression after Fiona’s praise, Lionel followed her into the kitchen to lend a hand. Around noon, the family gathered for a simple meal, though “simple” still meant six or seven dishes. The real highlight was reserved for the dinner that evening.

Then, Miranda joined Aren in the living room for a few rounds of chess after her nap, enjoying the relaxed holiday atmosphere. Afterward, she helped prepare Easter baskets for family and friends.

Aren had lined up stacks of brightly colored baskets on the coffee table, each adorned with ribbons and tags bearing cheerful Easter greetings. Some were filled with larger chocolate bunnies, others with assorted candles, and smaller ones with colorful eggs and trinkets

Each type of basket was carefully arranged and counted–30 of each size. It was no small task.

Chapter 0821

+25 BONUS

As Miranda filled the colorful Easter baskets with candies and other goodies, she couldn’t help but ask, “Do we really have this many family members to give these baskets to?”

Aren chuckled. “Not before, but this year’s different. We’re starting fresh.”

Miranda paused, reflecting on his words. For years, Aren and Fiona had spent most of their time abroad, often celebrating holidays quietly and without much fanfare. Visiting family or hosting large gatherings hadn’t been part of their routine.

But now, with Mindy back and the family reunited, Aren and Fiona had rekindled their desire to connect with others.

Aren sighed, his tone contemplative. “We’ve been away for so long, and over the years, we lost touch with many relatives and friends. Some we still exchange an occasional phone call with, but others… It’s been radio silence.

“Now that we’re settling back here, your grandmother feels it’s time to rebuild those bonds. Part of it is for the joy of having family and friends around. A lively house feels more like home. But it’s also practical as rebuilding our social circle helps create a network for you and our grandchildren.

10

“At the end of the day, humans are social beings. We’re wired to support one another. If anything happens to us down the line, or if you ever find yourself in need, having people to rely on can make all the difference.‘

That’s what family was for–being there for each other.

In the past, Aren and Fiona had been too preoccupied with searching for Mindy to focus on maintaining social ties.

Now that Mindy had been found–and had brought Lionel and Miranda back into their lives -Fiona had thrown herself into reconnecting with others, laying the groundwork for her daughter’s family.

Miranda understood the care and effort behind her grandparents‘ intentions. She said nothing to dissuade them. She chose instead to focus on the task at hand, her hands moving even quicker to finish the baskets.

By 4:00 pm, Sam arrived. In the spirit of the season, he’d chosen a bright red sweater that was revealed as he shrugged off his coat at the door.

The vibrant red was striking, making his fair complexion appear even more radiant in

contrast.