Ch. 188: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 188

Chapter 188Gwen glanced at Kevin, her tone distant yet polite. “No need. You’re a guest. Please, just sit.”

Once upon a time, Gwen had genuinely liked Kevin. She believed he cared deeply for Norah, but after learning their marriage was a mere arrangement, her view of him had soured. Marriage, she thought, should be based on love, not convenience or business.

Kevin wasn’t blind to the shift in their dynamic. He knew he’d fallen from grace in their eyes and was determined to regain some of their trust. Rolling up his sleeves, he ignored Gwen’s cool demeanor and walked straight to the kitchen to help her, as he used to do in the early days.

Gwen sighed, watching him from the corner of her eye. Despite his efforts, she couldn’t shake the disappointment. Once, she had found comfort in how Kevin treated her daughter. His willingness to lower himself to help with household tasks spoke volumes about his character—or so she’d thought. Now, that image felt like a mirage.

Norah, seated nearby, caught the tension in her mother’s expression. Though her parents were civil toward Kevin, she knew they hadn’t forgiven him—or the situation he’d created.

“Sister-in-law?” Elodie’s voice broke Norah’s train of thought. “Sister-in-law!”

Startled, Norah turned to her. “What? Sorry, I was distracted.”

Elodie leaned in, her voice low. “Your parents don’t like Brother Kevin, do they?”

Norah hesitated. “Why do you think that?”

“They don’t even look at him kindly,” Elodie whispered. “And yet, I’ve never seen him try so hard to please anyone. He must really care about you.”

Norah glanced toward the kitchen, where Kevin was busy assisting her mother despite her reluctance. “Maybe he’s just being polite.”

Elodie shook her head. “No way. Brother Kevin isn’t the type to go out of his way for just anyone.”

Norah didn’t respond, unsure how to explain the nuances of her and Kevin’s relationship.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Gwen couldn’t resist making her feelings clear. “You don’t need to do all this,” she said pointedly.

Kevin didn’t pause in his work. “It’s no trouble. It’s the least I can do.”

Gwen sighed. “I hope you find your own happiness someday, Kevin. I just want my daughter to be happy too.” Her words were gentle, but the meaning was unmistakable—she didn’t believe Kevin could make Norah truly happy.

Kevin’s movements slowed, and he nodded. “I understand, Mom. But please, give me a little more time to prove myself.”

At dinner, the atmosphere lightened considerably. Gwen and Jack were warm and welcoming, especially toward Elodie, who quickly grew attached to their kindness.

“Elodie, have some more,” Gwen urged, placing another helping of food onto her plate. “You’re thinner than Norah—eat up! You’ll look even better with a little more weight.”

Elodie beamed and eagerly accepted. “Thank you, Auntie. You’re so kind.”

Jack chimed in with a laugh. “Make yourself at home, Elodie. Next time, tell us what you’d like to eat, and we’ll prepare it for you.”

Their warmth touched Elodie deeply. As she sipped her milk tea, she paused, her eyes glistening.

Norah noticed and asked, “Is something wrong? Don’t you like it?”

Elodie shook her head, her voice soft. “No, Auntie, this milk tea is incredible. It tastes… like home.”

Gwen smiled, her expression tender. “Oh, it’s just milk tea, dear. Nothing special.”

Elodie shook her head fervently. “It’s more than that. It’s… it feels like love.”

The simple gesture of making her feel welcome moved Elodie more than she could express. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly cared for.

As the evening came to an end, Elodie stood at the door, clutching a bag Gwen had packed for her—a gift of milk tea and other small treats.

“Thank you, Auntie, Uncle. I’ve never been treated like this before.” Her voice wavered, and her eyes glistened again with unshed tears.

Gwen reached out to pat her shoulder, her smile soft. “You’re welcome here anytime, Elodie. Don’t be a stranger.”

Elodie wiped at her eyes. “You’re all so kind. Honestly… I envy my sister-in-law. She’s so lucky to have you as her parents.”

From the corner, Kevin silently observed, his face unreadable. Though the evening had gone well, he couldn’t help but feel like an outsider. For once, he realized that regaining Norah’s trust—and her parents’—would take far more than polite gestures.