Chapter 426 - 426: A Normal Night. [FIXED!][02/07!]

Michelina moved through her kitchen with practiced ease, pulling dishes from cabinets and arranging them on the counter. The women had settled around the large farmhouse table, their presence filling the warm space with laughter and chatter.

"You must be starving," Michelina said, glancing at Jane. "I heard your stomach growling from the hallway."

Jane's cheeks flushed crimson. "I'm so sorry. That's so embarrassing."

"Don't be. It means you appreciate good food."

Ella snorted. "She appreciates all food. I've seen her eat three plates of breakfast and still have room for dessert."

Jane buried her face in her hands. "Ella!"

"What? It's true."

Cassandra laughed. "Jane has a healthy appetite. There's nothing wrong with that."

Jasmine tugged Michelina's sleeve. "I'm hungry too. But I'm not as hungry as Jane."

"Rude!" Jane exclaimed, but she was laughing now.

Michelina smiled, watching the easy banter between them. There was something about these women—a closeness that went beyond friendship. The way they finished each other's sentences. The way they teased without malice. The way they looked at each other.

They're not just friends, at least not in a conventional sense.

She had noticed it the moment they walked in. The way Ella touched Jane's shoulder. The way Cassandra looked at Ella with quiet affection. The way Jasmine gravitated toward all of them like she was their collective child.

And then there was the way they spoke about Kyle.

"He's so thoughtful," Jane had said.

"He's stubborn," Ella had countered.

"But he listens," Cassandra added. "He really listens."

Siblings don't talk about each other that way.

Michelina set down the serving spoon and turned to face them. "Can I ask you something?"

The women looked up.

"Are you all in a relationship with Kyle?"

Silence followed shortly after.

Ella exchanged a glance with Cassandra. Jane's blush deepened.

Then Ella nodded. "Yes. We are."

Michelina didn't judge. She had lived long enough to know love came in many forms.

"How does that work?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Cassandra smiled. "It takes communication. Patience. Trust."

"But it works," Ella added. "Mostly."

Jane nodded. "We all care about each other. It's not just about Kyle. We're a family."

Michelina absorbed their words. "And who was first?"

Ella and Cassandra exchanged another glance. Then, simultaneously, they both pointed at Jane.

Jane's jaw dropped. "What?"

"You were first," Cassandra said. "Even before you knew you were first."

"Actually, technically, I was first," Ella said, smirking. But of course, this was false but she wanted to intentionally throw Jane off.

"But emotionally, Jane was first," Cassandra countered.

"I'm confused," Jane said.

"So am I," Ella admitted.

Michelina laughed. "I can see why you need so much communication."

Jasmine tugged at Michelina's sleeve again. "Can I have a snack?"

"After dinner, sweetheart."

"But I'm hungry now."

"Me too," Jane muttered.

Ella laughed. "See? They're the same person."

Michelina smiled and shook her head. She had been curious about how this dynamic worked. Now she understood. It wasn't about competition or jealousy. It was about love. Real, messy, complicated love.

And Jane...

She looked at the shy woman with the gentle smile and the kind eyes. Jane was sweet. Innocent. Pure in a way that was almost unsettling.

Why would anyone want anyone else if they had someone like her?

She didn't say it out loud. It wasn't her place.

Just then, Rachael walked into the kitchen. She stopped short when she saw Jane.

She looks so young.

Rachael was twenty-three. Jane was around the same age. No, she was slightly older, but she carried herself differently. Softer and more innocent.

"Hi," Jane said politely. "You must be Rachael. I'm Jane."

Rachael blinked, then smiled. "Nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too," Jane said. "Your home is beautiful."

Rachael nodded, still studying her. "Thank you."

Michelina watched the interaction, something warm blooming in her chest. This was what family looked like, different shapes, different sizes, different forms.

All connected by love.

The kitchen hummed with activity. Michelina was at the stove, stirring the gravy, while Cassandra chopped fresh vegetables and Ella set the table. Jane hovered near the counter, offering help that was politely declined. She was done with all the heavy lifting and truth be told, they came a little early.

"Anthony Jnr.," Michelina called out, her voice carrying through the house. "Come here."

The seven-year-old appeared in the doorway, his wild hair sticking up in every direction. "Yes, Mummy?"

"Go play with Jasmine. She's our guest. Make her feel welcome."

Anthony Jnr. looked around until he spotted Jasmine standing near the kitchen entrance, clutching her dress. He flashed her a wide, gap-toothed smile and ran over.

"Hi!" he said, grabbing her hand without hesitation. "Come with me. I have toys."

Jasmine's eyes widened. She glanced back at Jane, who nodded encouragingly. Then she let herself be pulled along.

They ran through the hallway, past the living room, and up the stairs. Anthony Jnr. pushed open a door and gestured dramatically.

"Welcome to my room!"

Jasmine stepped inside and froze.

The room was a paradise. Toys littered every surface—action figures, cars, building blocks, stuffed animals, and things she didn't even have names for. A shelf against the wall held rows of colourful figures, each one posed like they were about to jump into battle.

"What are those?" Jasmine asked, pointing at the shelf.

Anthony Jnr. puffed out his chest. "Those are my action figures. See? That's Spider-Man. He can shoot webs." He pointed to a red and blue figure. "And that's Iron Man. He has a suit that flies. And that one is Thor. He has a hammer."

"Thor?" Jasmine repeated, squinting at the figure with the long hair.

"Yeah! He's a god. He's super strong."

Jasmine walked closer, her eyes wide. She reached out a tentative finger and touched Spider-Man's arm.

"You can play with them," Anthony Jnr. said. "I have lots."

He grabbed a figure from the shelf—a bulky one with claws—and handed it to her.

"Here. This is Wolverine. You can keep it."

Jasmine stared at the figure in her palm. "I can keep it?"

"Yeah. I have two of him anyway."

"But... it's yours."

"I'm giving it to you." Anthony Jnr. shrugged like it was nothing. "You're my guest. That's what you do."

Jasmine clutched the figure to her chest. "Thank you."

"Come on!" He grabbed another figure and crouched on the floor. "Let's play. Wolverine fights Hulk."

"Who's Hulk?"

"The big green one." He pointed. "He's super strong. But Wolverine is faster."

Jasmine knelt beside him, her eyes still wide. She had never played with toys like this before. She had never had a room full of them. She had never had someone hand her a gift and tell her to keep it.

"Okay," she said softly. "Let's play."

Anthony Jnr. grinned. "You can be Wolverine. I'll be Hulk."

He raised the green figure and roared. "HULK SMASH!"

Jasmine giggled and raised Wolverine. "Wolverine... slashes!"

They clashed the figures together, making explosion sounds with their mouths. The room filled with laughter and the happy chaos of childhood.

And truth be told, Jasmine has never had a friend her age before so this was something that felt entirely new to her.

And more so, she had never had a friend like Anthony Jnr.

The evening was a resounding success.

Kyle and Tony had retreated to the study, their conversation flowing effortlessly. They spoke of life, love, and family, but never once did business enter the discussion. Tony shared stories of his youth, his courtship with Michelina, and the joy of watching his children grow. Kyle listened, absorbing the warmth of a man who had built a life on genuine connection. For the first time in a long while, Kyle felt like he wasn't performing—he was just being himself.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Michelina had bonded with the women. She had asked the question that hung in the air—were they all in a relationship with Kyle? Ella had confirmed it, and Michelina's curiosity was met with openness rather than judgment. Cassandra explained their dynamic with patience, Jane blushed through most of it, and Ella kept the mood light with her sharp wit. Michelina found herself charmed by their honesty.

Upstairs, Jasmine and Anthony Jnr. had become fast friends. He had handed her a Wolverine action figure and told her she could keep it. They had spent the better part of an hour on the floor, fighting imaginary battles with his collection of superheroes. Jasmine had never played like this before, and her laughter echoed through the house.

When the time came to eat, Anthony's wife poked her head into the room and announced that dinner was ready. The evening had been a joyful, uncomplicated success.

They all made their way to the dining room. The table was set with care—polished silverware, crisp linens, and the warm glow of candles. Anthony's family took their seats, Kyle's family took theirs, and the mingling of the two households felt natural.

"Dig in," Anthony said. "There's plenty for everyone."