the beginning after the end perfect duo

CHAPTER 16

"Okay, okay, now your mom sent you here, right?" my father asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.

His sharp features remained unchanged, his chin still smooth without a hint of a beard.

"Yeah, she told me to bring you this," I replied, holding out a lunchbox towards him.

He settled into the nearest table, motioning for us to join him with a couple of spare chairs.

The auction house loomed large, its white facade imposing, guarded by familiar faces - the very guards my father had trained.

Lilia nudged me back to the present with a gentle push, and we took our seats.

"Okay, wanna share lunch with me, you two?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Absolutely, I'm starving," Lilia chimed in.

I nodded in agreement; hunger gnawed at my stomach.

"But don't overdo it, Lilia; you've been putting on a bit of weight lately,"

I teased.

Lilia's reaction was immediate. She froze for a moment before exploding.

"DID YOU JUST CALL ME FAT?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fury, yet her stance unmoving, a statue crackling with a dangerous energy.

Despite knowing I could easily overpower her - because, of course,

I was stronger - a wave of unease washed over me.

My legs twitched involuntarily.

Sensing the escalating tension, my father intervened, hoping to defuse the situation.

"He was just joking, Lilia. Let's eat before it gets cold," he urged, his eyes silently pleading for calm.

"DON'T INTERVENE," she snapped, her gaze now fixed on my father.He glanced at me, a silent exchange passing between us, conveying his efforts to ease the tension.

"WE'RE NOT STAYING, MR. LEYWIN. WE MUST BE BACK SOON, OR MS. LEYWIN MIGHT START WORRYING ABOUT US,"

LILIA declared, her tone final.

I couldn't refuse, not with Lilia in such a state.

Dad worried about me, but his hands were tied.

AT THE HOUSE

The echoing knock on the door reverberated through the house.

With Ms. Lewin tucked away in the bedroom (a detail conveniently omitted from the light novel), a small figure hurried to answer.

And with a creak, the door swung open.

"Big brother!" Ellie exclaimed softly.

"Ellie, what did I tell you about opening the door..." Alice's reprimand trailed off as she caught sight of the visitor.

In an instant, she dashed forward, a whirlwind of emotions swirling across her face - worry, excitement, and joy, all intermingled.

ALICE'S POV

And then, I saw him.

Art, returned at last.

Without hesitation, I rushed forward, enveloping him in a tight embrace.

Ellie joined in, amplifying the emotional reunion.

Art's tears flowed freely as he clung to me, the weight of his ordeal evident in every sob.

Guilt gnawed at me;

my actions led him to this harrowing journey, But now, in this moment, my child was back - his safety assured.