Chapter 393: Chapter 393

Aliya’s hand went up automatically to touch the bruise on her lips that had fallen open at the sight of the couple’s actions.

’W-hat are they doing? What is Ian doing!!!!!!!!?’

At first, she had thought that at least one person would have commented or maybe rebuked it, but none did. Geneva, on the hand, had been about to reprimand Aliya with her next words, but she swallowed them, for they were of no use. She smiled instead, and this did not go unnoticed by Aliya.

Aliya thought that she had taken away Shelby’s seat, but Ian’s action told her that the seat was nothing. It represented nothing!

As Shelby perched on Ian’s lap, Aliya looked around, expecting a collective gasp of a sort but nothing of that happened. The parents only had satisfied looks, and the rest of the room did not even bother, as it was like a normal occurrence for them. However, her mouth dropped open even wider as she looked at the couple.

Th-is was too startling for her! She was not a prude, but who did that at a dinner table with family around? However, those who really knew Aliya would call her out for her double standards, as she would have done worse!

What hadn’t Aliya done in front of Ian back in the past? Short of making love to Terry in front of Ian, she had done even more than she was seeing in that moment.... Sadly, despite all these, Ian had ’genuinely’ loved her!

Ian, unbothered by his audience wrapped an arm around Shelby’s waist, pulling her securely against his chest and then whispered something for her ears only that made her laugh softly. A melodic laugh that only served to irritate Aliya the more.

"Say ah!" Ian encouraged teasingly as he held a spoonful of soup by Shelby’s mouth. The affection being displayed between them was too much for Aliya to watch, but it was not like she could leave. If she did that, then that would be her loss.

Shelby chuckled, leaning forward slightly, her lips parted as she allowed Ian to feed her. She turned slightly so that their eyes locked, a private moment unfolding in the full glare of everyone present. They did not seem to care as in their public display of affection; this was nothing, and Shelby had long since been used to it.

Just adjacent to them, Aliya, who had so boldly taken Shelby’s seat earlier, sat rigid, her knuckles turning white as she gripped her wine glass. Her forced smile faltered, and her carefully composed demeanour cracked, revealing the storm brewing beneath. Her eyes burned with barely concealed fury, darting between the couple and the empty chair she had claimed as her own.

The air grew heavy with tension, but Shelby, seemingly oblivious to Aliya’s distress, reached for a napkin and dabbed at her lips with elegant nonchalance. She leaned closer to Ian, her fingers brushing his beard as she murmured, "Delicious. Just like you promised."

Her words hung in the air, sweetly laced with triumph, leaving the Aliya to stew in her own silent rage.

Brad longed to clap, but he smiled instead as his anger died off.

’Sister-in-law is the best! And most importantly, my brother is not a lost cause yet!’

"Today’s dinner tastes especially good! Did you have a hand in this Ava?" Brad rather asked in a boisterous voice. To be honest, he had expected his mother to reprimand him, but Geneva nodded.

Ava shook her head, ’Like mother, like son.’ How could she not understand what they were talking about? She turned her eyes to Shelby and Ian at the head of the table, smiled and then turned back to her meal.

Shelby and Ian continued their interactions as if no one was with them at the dining table. From the corner of her eye, Shelby saw that cold gaze from Aliya yet again.

’So, I didn’t imagine that?’ she pondered, just as Ian’s voice came on their mind-link,

’Imagine what, my Elfin?’

’It’s nothing,’ Shelby responded, then she turned fully to Aliya,

"Do I have some food particles stuck on my face?" Shelby asked sweetly.

"No, why do you ask?"

"You’ve been looking at me so intently that I thought that there was,"

Shelby said with a smile, and before Aliya could say a word, Shelby added,

"I trust that your stay has been pleasant so far. Is your designated quarters okay, to your liking?"

This was a blatant call-out and dismissal that made the usual stoic Aliya flustered.

Aliya took a deep breath and opened her mouth to answer, but Suzie beat her to it,

"I’m sorry, Miss, I didn’t do a good job today. Miss Aliya preferred the East wing, but I used my discretion to place her in the West. She was not too happy with that. I have failed in my duties; please punish me!"

Suzie bowed and held that pose. Aliya was stricken! What was wrong with this household? Did they all change that much because of this one person?

Shelby’s smile fell off, and she turned solemn. However, she took in Aliya’s changing expressions from the time she had found herself on Ian’s lap. In fact, Shelby had not taken a proper look at Aliya since she had come back into their lives. The only memory imprint she had was of her smiling in that photo that had been in Ian’s room from the start.

Aliya still looked slightly pale, but her features were that of an outstanding, beautiful young woman with a touch of a fading ethereal glow. Aliya had striking, large brown eyes that were deeply expressive, and at this time, they seemed to tell Shelby a lot about this person, even though there was a part of those unfathomable depths that held more than met the eye.

These exquisite eyes were framed by long dark lashes and delicately arched eyebrows. Her fair, porcelain-like skin was softly lit, though still very pale, considering with a subtle blush, which added warmth to her cheeks. Aliya’s lips were full, slightly parted, and without hue, conveying an innocent, sick, yet enigmatic expression. The only colour patch on her lips came from the pinch of the red wound on her bottom lip.

Shelby’s eyes travelled to Aliya’s long, flowing black hair that had been left loose to cascade down her shoulders in smooth, glossy waves, accentuating her delicate, elegant features. A few loose strands gently framed her face, softening her otherwise intense gaze.

Aliya was in a luxuriant black dress with intricate lace details around the neckline, emphasizing its elegance. The deep-cut neckline revealed a lot more of her collarbones than Shelby would have liked, but she did not make any reaction as she took all of these in. However, Shelby knew that this was what further added to Aliya’s refined yet alluring presence at the table.

The last finishing touch to the look was a black lace choker that provided a stark contrast against her pale skin. It was an interesting ornament that was overdone with intricate patterns that mirrored the detailing, giving off a sense of timeless sophistication.

’All this just for dinner?’ Shelby mused and then said,

"Sorry that I was not a better host today."

Then Shelby turned to Suzie,

"It’s okay, Suzie, you may rise."

Who did not understand this at the table? Suzie had conveyed everything that had happened to every single person at the table. She had let everyone know of Aliya’s intention of staying in Ian’s East Wing, but she had sent their guest to the West Wing there. This was also telling Aliya, in not so many words, that her mistress was well aware and would agree with anything that She, Suzie, did.

Geneva and Alex lifted the corner of their lips simultaneously while Brad gave Suzie a thumb-up. Rocky wanted to clap. This was by far one of the best dinners he had had in the Thornston family!

Aliya’s blood boiled at this.

’How dare this nobody of a maid humiliate me!’

Aliya clenched her hands under the table while her face remained impassive.

"It’s okay, little sister...." Aliya started,

"It’s okay if I call you little sister, right?"

Shelby smiled and nodded,

Aliya nodded and continued, "I understand your intentions and thank you for hosting me. I deeply apologize for the misunderstanding earlier today."

Ava looked at the exchanges going on at the table and opened her mouth to say something, but Rocky placed a hand on her thighs and shook his head.

’Not now....’ He mouthed at her, and Ava closed her mouth in resignation.

"Here...." Ian said softly and held a piece of lamb meat on a fork to Shelby. She took it gladly and smiled at him.

"Mama, I did not see you this afternoon...."

A typical dinner would not end without input from Gabriel. He did not want to be a part of that conversation going on with the adults, but he needed to ask this question, so seeing a little break in the talks, he interjected,

Aliya turned to her son and smiled.

"It-" She started but froze upon Gabriel’s next words,

"...But I was a good boy and did not disturb Samantha and Ingrid. I even drew something for you!"

This told Aliya that the ’Mama’ that Gabriel had mentioned was definitely not her! She was angry and embarrassed!

Gabriel beamed food particles all over his face.

"Why are you making such a mess from just eating?!" Aliya snaped. She had not intended this to come out like that, but the words were already out and with the number of eyes, on her, Aliya lowered her head.

Suzie rounded the table to Gabriel and used a wet napkin to clean his face. Gabriel scrunched his face at the reprimand, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"It’s okay, Gabriel. Let’s go to your room after dinner so that you can show me your drawing."

"Really?" Gabriel asked and wiped the tears,

He smiled widely through the tears but never spared a glance at his mother. Ingrid and Samantha rolled their eyes at this as did most at the table.

After this, they ate in silence till Aliya suddenly broke the silence a few minutes later,

"Little Sister, would you accompany me to a tea party at the .... ?"

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