Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 830
Kathleen linked arms with Teague and greeted Madge with a bright smile. "Madge, and Aberdeen-well, I didn't expect to see you
two here! Mom and Dad didn't mention it before, so I thought you wouldn't be spending New Year's in Lumina City. This is
wonderful. The whole family's together."
Her smile was radiant, and her words couldn't have been more gracious.
Neely and Geneva exchanged a glance.
Ever since Kathleen had married into the Sullivan family, she'd missed most of the holidays at home.
Not that the matriarch minded. Truth be told, she had little interest in seeing Kathleen anyway. If Kathleen didn't show up, so
much the better.
Besides, the Sullivans were a large clan. With in-laws above and children below, it made sense that Kathleen would spend the
holidays with them rather than coming back home.
Still, when you don't like someone, nothing they do ever really sits right.
Take Madge, for instance-she came home every year for the holidays, and the old lady's smile never faded.
But now, with Kathleen at the door, that smile instantly waned.
It was New Year's, though; it wouldn't do to turn guests away, especially with Corley present. So, though the elders were clearly
less than thrilled, they still invited Kathleen and Teague to sit down and join the meal.

A housekeeper brought over two clean sets of plates and forks.
Kathleen sat down, still smiling. "Well, looks like I get this royal treatment thanks to Madge today."
No one responded.
She didn't seem the least bit embarrassed. With a smile, she reached for the serving spoon and placed some food on Teague's
plate. "Here, try this—it's delicious."
Teague's tone was cool. "I can serve myself."

Kathleen popped a piece of roast into her mouth, but the moment she tasted it, she paused in surprise. "Is this... Did Mom make
this herself?"
Norris nodded. "Yeah, she's been busy in the kitchen since this morning. Most of the dishes on the table are her handiwork."
A pang of bitterness rose in Kathleen's chest.
She'd always known-known about their favoritism, known about the double standards. But even so, confronting it now still caught
her off guard.
"Looks like our little sister really is the golden child. Mom hasn't set foot in the kitchen for years. Honestly, I thought I'd never get
to taste her cooking again."
Teague frowned. "Just eat, Kathleen. There's no need for commentary."
She grinned. "Oh? What, you're going to stuff my mouth with food in front of Mom and Dad?"
Teague shot back, "Funny, I remember you being a lot quieter at home."
"That's because today I'm at my own family's house. If I can't speak my mind here, where can I?"

Teague set down his fork. "I never said you couldn't talk. Just... maybe finish eating first?"
Kathleen's smile faltered and she looked ready to snap back.
But before she could, Corley piped up, "Mom spent a lot of time preparing this meal, Kathleen. Try this-you'll like it."
He placed a piece of braised pork on her plate.
Kathleen let it go, picking up her with a
delinenewed smile. "Mm. It's
d as ever." Content benef
Mom's cooking is
as

The tension melted a little, and everyone dug in with cheerful chatter.
At least, it seemed cheerful on the surface.
After dinner, the old man called Teague and Corley into the study for a private talk, leaving Geneva, Madge, and Kathleen in the
living room.
Roseanne had gone upstairs.
Norris, uncomfortably full, headed out to the garden to walk it off-and to check on the flowers in the glasshouse. Many of them
were rare imports, hard to find locally, and he'd been wanting to study them for some time.
Madge sat with Geneva on the couch, the two of them watching TV, chatting and laughing together.
Every so often, they'd lean in to comment on something funny on the screen, mother and daughter in perfect harmony.
By contrast, Kathleen sat alone at the far end of the sofa, silent and distant, her gaze unfocused as if lost in thought.
Until
Madge stood up. "I'll go make a fruit platter."
Geneva reached out quickly to stop her. "No need, dear. Let the housekeeper handle it."