Clive came downstairs in a laid-back business outfit. Aside from looking a bit tired, he was his usual self.
As he walked toward the dining room, he could already hear Penny’s excited, happy voice.
“Momma Kristen, I’m so glad you’re having breakfast with me! I feel so lucky today!”
Penny always knew how to sweet-talk people, and with Kristen, she laid it on even thicker.
Clive was used to it by now. He walked over and paused for a second when he noticed where Kristen was sitting.
She’d taken Amelia’s old seat.
For the past five years, Kristen had always sat there. Clive had never thought twice about it until now.
But with Amelia back, everything felt different.
He remembered Cameron mentioning on the phone that Amelia had been a little jealous lately. Clive’s eyes darkened slightly as he got ready to say something. But just then, Kristen looked up at him. Their eyes met, and she gave him a gentle, caring smile.
“Clive, did you like the porridge? If you did, I can make it for you again tomorrow.”
He hesitated. “Yeah, it was good. No need to go through the trouble though.”
She must have been up super early to make it. He guessed she’d started as soon as he called her last night.
Looking at Kristen’s sweet face, Clive couldn’t bring himself to say what he’d been thinking.
It’s just a chair, he thought. Let her sit there.
Amelia wasn’t even home right now anyway.
Clive pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Dad, you don’t look so good. Did you not sleep well?” Timmy, sitting next to him, noticed right away and sounded worried.
Neither of the kids knew Clive had been up all night with stomach pain.
On that front, Clive and Amelia were on the same page. Neither wanted the kids to worry.


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