[New Dominion Neighborhood]

Nolan served food to Primo, studying the young master’s mood. Primo took his plate and ate, his reaction hard to read. He glanced to his side, where Betty stood, and the latter looked back at him with conflicted emotions.

"Young Master," called Nolan, but Primo continued to scoop a spoonful. "Do you want anything else?"

Primo didn’t react. He simply ate.

Another deep exhale escaped Nolan as he quietly dragged a chair to sit down.

Earlier at school, Nolan didn’t know what had actually occurred.

All he knew was that he had been told to take Primo home because something had happened. What was it? Nolan didn’t know until a little later, when he received a call from Gin about Lucian’s collapse.

"Young Master," Betty hummed as she moved closer to the table. "The Madam might come a little late, but Nolan and I will stay with you. So, don’t worry."

Primo’s cutlery paused, making both Betty and Nolan freeze. Then, he slowly looked up at them.

[I’m not worried.]

Nolan and Betty furrowed their brows. Nolan could understand him, but Betty was just learning sign language in her spare time before coming here. After all, she wanted to communicate with her madam’s son as well because Primo was Ashley’s number one worry.

[I know there’s a reason for everything, and they’ll be home eventually.]

Primo smiled at them subtly.

[I am okay, Betty, Nolan. Thank you.]

For a second, Nolan and Betty could only stare at the young master with a mix of surprise and confusion. Part of them wasn’t sure if that should reassure them or worry them more.

But Primo continued eating like usual.

As he did so, he heard a faint motor noise outside. He perked up a little and turned his head toward the entrance.

Soon, they all saw the door opening.

Walking in was Ashley... with a smile on her face.

"Primo, I’m home!" she announced, quickly spotting Primo.

Primo blinked, staring at her expression for a little too long. Even as Ashley advanced in his direction, his gaze stayed on her face. It took him a moment before the tension in his shoulders dissipated, and a smile took over his expression.

"Wow, you’re eating now?" Ashley stood near his seat, looking at his plate before looking at the boy. "Good job, Primo."

She reached for his hair and ruffled it.

[It’s good.]

"Is it?" she hummed, tilting her head.

Meanwhile, Nolan and Betty quietly studied her, a little surprised. They did not expect her to be more cheerful, considering Lucian was in the hospital. It made them wonder if the situation was not as serious as they thought; they couldn’t tell.

"Ah!" Betty cleared her throat as she perked up. "Madam, have you eaten?"

Hearing that snapped Nolan back to the present. "I’ll get you a plate."

"Thanks," Ashley smiled at them as Nolan walked back to the kitchen while Betty followed after him. "You guys should join us."

As they left, she dragged a chair and sat down beside Primo. The moment she did, Primo moved his hands.

[Is everything okay?]

For a second, Ashley simply stared at his hands and then at him. She blinked before her lips curled into a small smile.

"It will be," she hummed as she reached out to him, pinching his cheek lightly. "Do you believe in me?"

Primo nodded without a second of hesitation.

"But Primo..." she paused as Nolan placed a plate before her. "Your dad... will not be here for a while." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

[Is he okay?]

Ashley swallowed the lump in her throat, but until now, she still couldn’t get rid of it.

"He will be," she nodded at him, smiling softly. Then, she thought for a second before a light chuckle escaped her. "You know him. He can fall once, twice, but he’ll get up stronger a hundred times."

The mother and son looked at each other before Primo smiled back and nodded.

[Okay!]

"Good boy." Again, Ashley ruffled his hair, her eyes soft. "Let’s eat."

Primo nodded, watching her serve herself some food before eating heartily. As the mother and son casually talked, with Ashley doing most of the talking while Primo signed, Nolan and Betty quietly watched the duo.

"Right, you don’t have homework today," Ashley nodded. "Tomorrow’s event..."

[It’s only a concert arranged by the older students.]

"Ah..." Ashley smacked her lips. "Should we go?"

Primo smiled and nodded. [Let’s take a video to show Papa once he’s back.]

Her smile cracked for a second, only for her to stretch her lips wider. "Let’s do that."

Like that, the routine in the house remained even when Lucian was not around. Primo and Ashley still ate and talked during dinner. She still accompanied him while he did some schoolwork and later put Primo to sleep.

As for Nolan and Betty, they idled on the first floor as per her instructions. Ashley had told them to stay for a bit.

"Nolan, do you think it’s not that serious?" Betty asked, seated in the dining room while waiting for Ashley to come down after putting Primo to sleep.

Nolan thought about it, studying the young lady’s expression. "I hope so."

A moment of silence fell over them as they thought about Ashley. Even when she was smiling and acting like usual, there was just something about it that didn’t feel right. Perhaps it was because the two of them had spent enough time observing and staying by her side.

Deep down, they wanted to believe they were wrong.

That Lucian’s situation was not that serious.

Maybe it was just fatigue. Or something else.

"Let’s just wait for her to come down, Betty," Nolan remarked with a forced, small smile. "I’m sure the Madam told us to stay for a reason."

Betty smiled back at him and nodded. "Yes."

*****

Meanwhile, in Primo’s room, Ashley sat at the edge of Primo’s bed. He had fallen asleep without a problem tonight. Perhaps it was because the school activity had tired him out. He had nodded off after just one bedtime story.

"What do I do?" she whispered as she reached out to him, her fingertips stroking his hair. "Primo."

Her lips quivered, and she pressed them tightly together. The corners of her eyes were slightly red, and her other hand was clasped tightly on her lap until it trembled.

"I’m..." she trailed off as she drew a jagged breath. "... scared."