Vivienne blinked in confusion. "Mara? Who's that?"

As far as Vivienne was concerned, the name Mara had been flushed down the toilet long ago, just like yesterday's news.

The whole Boyd family had become invisible in Vivienne and Percival's world, let alone Mara.

Their association with the Boyds had been as necessary as a fish needs a bicycle-completely irrelevant!

Isolde nodded emphatically. "Yes, Mara. Mom's niece, the one you've met before."

Vivienne was still clueless, but Percival recalled and said, "The girl from the second branch of the Boyd family."

"Huh?" Vivienne blinked, not following.

Percival chuckled helplessly and flicked Vivienne's forehead. "The one you said had a nose like a button mushroom."

"Oh!" Vivienne's face lit up with realization. "Isn't she supposed to be abroad? Why is she back?"

What Vivienne did not voice was, "How could she have the gall to show her face here again?"

But with Isolde present, such language was inappropriate.

The trio walked into the living room where Cecilia sat, looking somewhat apologetic.

"Mom, what's she doing here? Is something wrong?" Percival inquired.

He knew his mother well enough to realize that although she could be scatterbrained at times, she had a strong moral compass.

had even tried to break him and Vivienne up-Cecilia would not

settling in at the Ellington Mansion, something must have gone seriously awry

this way; I thought we'd gone our separate ways for

She felt she had no

Mara was never a central figure in her life, and Cecilia's sentiments had no

aunt-niece dynamics were none

own decision; don't mind me," Vivienne said with

lip,

and probably the only family you have left. She's been close to you for many years, and whatever you decide, I won't object. Just follow your heart." Cecilia's eyes welled up at Vivienne's words. "Vivienne, you

"No thanks needed."

The last thought was Vivienne's silent addition, mindful

clear, Percival had little to add, though he did say sternly, "She can stay but not in the house. And she better not show her face around Vivienne. It's bad karma." Helping Mara was already

patient with her son. She did not want

those in the know, it was clear Cecilia was the legitimate lady of the house. To the uninformed, it might seem like the Ellingtons were Vivienne's

even her stay would be at the mercy of Vivienne's

subtly raised her gaze, her eyes briefly scanning the slightly

Had she been imagining it, or did Vivienne catch

into a

you spare a moment to look into Huxley Boyd's whereabouts? Mara mentioned they had a layover in M State. It'd be good to know if Huxley's still there; it's quite worrisome,"

Locating Huxley would also mean passing Mara

place to stay. With the Ellington family's large number

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