Chapter Ninety
* The Uninvited Guest*
The Lax family dinner was a rare event of genuine warmth. For the first time, the air in the grand dining room didn't feel like a battlefield. Aurora sat at the head, a small, satisfied smile on her face. Julian was relaxed. Even Regina seemed less like a carved statue and more like a person.
The reason for the change was clear. When Lyra entered the room with Xami, Regina did something extraordinary.
She stood up from her seat, walked over to Lyra, and pulled her into a brief, firm hug. She then placed a dry kiss on her cheek. "Lyra, dear. You look well. Sit here, next to me."
The shock in the room was a physical thing. Julian's fork hovered halfway to his mouth. Aurora's eyebrows shot up. Xami simply watched, a deep, quiet understanding in his e
