?Chapter 1053:


    The sting of her sharp words earlier that day lingered, leaving him restless and off bnce. But with his birthday drawing near, Hester would only tighten her grip, watching his every move more closely than ever.


    For now, Dustin knew he would have to bide his time, hoping another chance to talk to Dolores woulde soon.


    Across town, Linsey and the Lawsons made their way into the restaurant they’d booked. Only after their orders were taken and the waiter stepped out did the family finally get a quiet moment with Linsey.


    M, trying to find her footing, offered a smile that was both warm and tinged with apology. “Linsey, have you only juste back?”


    Linsey didn’t meet her gaze, answering in an even, distant voice. “I came back three months ago.”


    The reply made M falter, her smile slipping. The urge to ask why Linsey hadn’t reached out in all that time sat heavily on her tongue.


    Sensing M’s question before she could speak, Jeffery stepped in smoothly. “It must feel strange to be back in Grester after all these years. Are things going alright for you?”


    Linsey gave a small nod, her response calm and sincere. “Everything’s been going well. Thank you.”


    While Linsey and Jeffery exchanged words, Cruz gently squeezed M’s hand beneath the table, a silent effort to calm her nerves.


    Before they left home, they had already discussed their n.


    M and Cruz carried the weight of regret for how things had yed out four years before. To avoid making the same mistakes, they agreed to move slowly and let Linseye to them at her own pace. Any pressure or old missteps now would only push Linsey further out of reach.


    A shaky breath escaped from M as she worked to calm her nerves. With her lips pressed tight, she looked at Linsey and asked, her concern obvious, “What has it been like for you, living all this time overseas by yourself?”


    Worry shone in her eyes as she took in every detail of Linsey’s appearance. Her voice came out unsteady. “You look so much thinner than when Ist saw you. Are you really looking after yourself?”


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    The warmth behind M’s questions made it impossible for Linsey to keep her distance any longer.


    After a moment, Linsey nced over at M’s teary eyes and answered in a gentle tone, “I’m all right, really. I’ve just shed a few pounds, nothing more. Four years is a long time—nobody stays exactly the same.”


    It was four years earlier when she first realized she was pregnant, and back then, her days with Collin had been filled with joy. During that period, happiness and contentment seemed to follow her everywhere. Her face glowed, and she put on some weight.


    The world shifted, though, the moment she learned that Collin had been lying to her. That heartbreak nearly crushed her, yet she forced herself to eat and sleep for the sake of the children she was carrying.


    Once she left Grester, she found herself managing everything on her own. Delivering twins took a toll, leaving her body depleted. Hard work and long days made it almost inevitable that she would lose weight.


    Things only started to change after she came back to Grester and made peace with Collin. Gradually, her body regained its strength, and she looked more like her old self.


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