chapter375

"No, I have a flight to Paris at ten tonight. I need to get home, pack my bags, and put those herbs away before I leave."

Jenny and the others had already left for France for the competition. Lydia had promised to go cheer them on, and now that Viper's people had been lured to France, she had no choice but to show up.

Connor was surprised. He hadn't realized Lydia had quietly booked her ticket to Paris. With all the work piling up at the company these past few days, he couldn't just drop everything and go. He needed to take care of things before heading to France.

"That's cutting it close, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Alright then. Once I finish up at work, I'll come find you in Paris.

Lydia raised an eyebrow. "If you don't have anything urgent in Paris, you should just stay and focus on your job. When I get back, I'll start your treatment."

"I do have something urgent," Connor said. Being with her was the most important thing of all.

When Lydia walked into Riverside Villas, she found Lucinda hovering around Cameron, Kylie, and Mr. Norwood, doing her best to impress everyone. She was massaging her grandfather's shoulders one minute, peeling fruit for her parents the next. She looked like the perfect, loving daughter.

In the three days Lydia had been gone, Lucinda had found her old confidence again. With Lydia out of the picture, everyone's attention was on her. She didn't have to share the spotlight, and all the love in the house belonged to her.

She couldn't help thinking how nice it would be if Lydia never came back.

But judging from what her parents said earlier, Lydia was coming home tonight. That's why they'd asked the kitchen to make all of Lydia's favorite dishes, and even though it was already seven-thirty, no one was calling to rush her home.

Grandpa, are you hungry? Should I ask the kitchen to bring you a snack? You're still recovering from surgery, so you shouldn't go hungry. It's bad for your blood sugar, Lucinda said sweetly, but she was actually hinting that everyone had been waiting so long for Lydia that even the patient in the house was going hungry. How inconsiderate.

Mr. Norwood just smiled. Lucinda, I had a nutritional meal at four. I'm not hungry at all. Let's wait for your sister and have dinner together."

Lucinda was about to lose it. Everything in this house revolved around Lydia. Just hearing her name was enough to ruin her mood.

Kylie checked the time. "Lucinda, your sister should be back any minute. Are you hungry? I can ask the kitchen to bring you something to eat."

Lucinda sighed dramatically. "Mom, I'm fine. Being a little hungry is no big deal. I'm just worried about you all."

She was definitely hungry, but wouldn't say it straight out.

Kylie was about to have someone bring Lucinda a snack when Tina's voice called out bright and clear "Miss

Stydia you're finally home. Your parents and grandfather have been waiting for you."

Learning from Grace, Tina ignored Lucinda completely.

Lucinda was fuming. That maid was getting way too bold. How dare she

act like tucinda didn't even exist? hat she hadn't gotten rid

ated t

of her while Lydia was away.

"Lydia's home!"

Before Lucinda could finish being angry, Cameron and Kylie jumped up from the

sofa, faces lit up as they hurried to greet Lydia at the door.

Lucinda was left standing there with nothing to say.

Seeing her parents rushing out to meet her, Lydia felt a wave of warmth in her chest. "Dad, Mom, I'm home."

Kylie pulled her into a gentle hug. "Sweetheart, your dad and I missed you so much while you were gone, You must be starving. Come on, let's start dinner. We made all your favorite dishes."