"Can you drink?" Forest asked tentatively.
The prospect of having a drink meant the conversation could flow more easily.
"Yes," Damian replied.
Satisfied with the answer, Theodore patted his shoulder and nodded.
The men exchanged smiles.
The child who'd been wandering for years was finally home.
*****
Regina and Isabelle found two armchairs and sat down, placing their plates of steak on a small table between them.
Regina couldn't help but ask, "How did you manage to convince him to come back?"
"Hmm?" Isabelle speared a piece of steak and popped it in her mouth. "I didn't convince him."
She hadn't tried to convince him and had even thought that if he didn't want to come back, they could just travel for a while instead.
Regina was a bit surprised.
In previous years, no matter how much she hinted or asked, Damian always found excuses.
She smiled, as if she finally understood something.
After chatting for a while, Regina took Isabelle to greet some friends who had just arrived.
Regina was very easygoing, and her friends were great conversationalists, which quickly put Isabelle at ease.
A woman dressed in an affluent style sidled up to Isabelle, taking her arm and looking her over as if she were a piece of art.
This was Serenity Bloom, the wife of one of Louis' colleagues.
She said, "Ms. Baxter, you've been hiding her. They're all married now, and only then did you finally bring her out to meet us. Afraid we'd snatch her away?"
Another woman said, "Exactly! Damian sure knows how to keep secrets. At least he didn't show up with a baby in tow."
Regina laughed heartily, very pleased with the comments.
Isabelle's face grew warm.
We've only been married for three months. A baby is a long way off.
She pressed her lips together. "We actually knew each other for a while before our relationship became official."
Regina smiled at Isabelle, holding her hand even tighter, as if afraid she might run off.
"When did you and Damian meet? And when did you get together?" The question came from Adelina Clark, Daisy's mother.
Isabelle had met Daisy at the gala.
Her tone carried a hint of accusation, as if asking, "Were you together before Damian was injured, or only after he recovered? In short, are you with him for his money?"
The others picked up on the implication and looked at Isabelle.
Regina's expression soured slightly.

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