?<strong>Chapter 984:</strong>


    “Let me know if you’re missing anything. I’ll have someone bring it right up.”


    Rnd nced around, his eyes scanning the room. “Nothing. I just need some time alone.”


    “Okay.”


    Joelle hesitated, her worry still evident, but she saw that Rnd was struggling to adjust. She felt a wave of sympathy for him.


    “Rnd, no matter what, I’m just so happy we’ve found you. Wee home.”


    As she left, Joelle gave him a warm smile and closed the door behind her.


    Once alone, Rnd’s expression darkened even more.


    He tore the gauze from his neck, frustration bubbling inside him. Everything about this ce irritated him.


    The mattress beneath him felt ufortable in its perfect, sterile way. It was too soft, too well-maintained—just like the people here. Sheltered, pampered, naive, andpletely unaware of who he really was. Yet they were throwing him a celebration, all for their own emotional satisfaction.


    Rnd turned on his side, a bitter thought crossing his mind. Wade had never even slept on something like this.


    He thought about their home, where he could hear the sounds of distant artillery fire when he closed his eyes. Sometimes, there was an eerie silence, interrupted only by the hum of cicadas, the wind rustling through the trees, and the crackling of a fire.


    The humidity of the past, the clear rivers winding through thend, the quiet conversations shared between father and son…


    Everything felt like it belonged to another time.


    Rnd had actuallye here, living the peaceful life that Wade had always dreamed of.


    He grabbed the nket beside him and pulled it over his face, his body shaking as he let out a sob. “Dad…”


    It had been years since so many people had gathered around a single dinner table.


    Adrian sat at the head of the table, while Joelle sat beside Rnd, making sure to serve him his food.


    Across from them sat Molly, Aurora, and Lucas.


    As soon as they sat down, Rnd red at Lucas, his fork pointing towards him with clear disapproval. “Why is this stand-in still here?”


    Molly mmed her fork down on the table. “Are you ever going to stop? Lucas has been here long before you even knew about this ce!”


    Aurora frowned, her voice tight. “Molly, don’t say that.”


    But it was toote. Rnd had already heard.


    He sneered, his tone sharp. “If I had been here, he wouldn’t have had the chance to.”


    Lucas remained unfazed, his expression calm. “You’re right. It’s great that you’re finally back. I really hope you’ll fit in with us soon.”


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