After dinner, Lucas insisted that Starry and Chloe spend the night.
“It’s too late to be heading back now,” he said with a warm smile. “Besides, it’s the weekend. Stay and spend some time with us.”
Starry, who had been watching Chloe carefully since dinner, spoke up.
“Dad, we didn’t plan to stay. I didn’t bring anything for us,” he said, trying to politely decline. Chloe silently hoped they could leave as well, not wanting to endure any more of Evelyn’s judgmental stares.
But before Lucas could respond, Evelyn interjected, her tone suddenly lively and animated. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Starry. We have everything you could possibly need right here. It’s been so long since you stayed here. And Chloe,” she added, with that false sweetness in her voice, “I’m sure you must be exhausted a
