A Mother's True Failure

Quentin Lin grinned and slipped in, saying, "Lily, I'm here to deliver a message. Alexander just bought pastries and took them to Mom and Dad. Dad said he wants Alexander to drink with him tonight, so I'm here to let you know."

Lily Evans raised an eyebrow, responding with a surprised, "Oh?"

She had thought Alexander would send Madam Lou back to the Marquis Valor Estate, but instead, he went out of his way to buy Margaret Evans her favorite pastries and deliver them himself.

Lily clicked her tongue, thinking: Madam Lou really failed as a mother. Her son doesn't treat her like one at all, preferring his mother-in-law over his own. Madam Lou, the biological mother, can't even compare to his mother-in-law.

Lily, I haven't had your cooking in ages! Dad and Alexander are drinking tonight, but I can't drink—so boring! Can I have dinner here? I love your food, and I love being with you. Please let me stay!

Lily Evans laughed and poked Quentin Lin's nose. "You little rascal, I bet you just missed your big sister's cooking! Hmph, since you're my dear little brother, tell me what you want to eat and I'll make it for you."

"Ah! Lily, you're the best sister ever!" Quentin Lin hugged Lily Evans's face and planted a big kiss. The affection was so genuine, anyone watching would think they were real siblings, not step-siblings.

Lily Evans started making delicious food for Quentin Lin, while Margaret Evans had already set the table with wine and dishes. She warmed the wine, and the three sat down to eat.

"Where's Quentin?" Margaret Evans looked around for him.

Dr. Rowan Lin chuckled, "Quentin must have gone to Lily's house for dinner. That rascal always talks about Lily's cooking. If he shows up at mealtime, how could his sister refuse him? Don't worry about Quentin—he'll be fine with Lily. Let's just eat, the three of us."

Margaret Evans nodded, "Alright, then the three of us will eat. Son-in-law, it's been a while since you tasted my cooking—eat up!"

Alexander Valor looked at the home-cooked dishes Margaret Evans made. Though her cooking wasn't as skilled as Lily's, she had prepared all his favorites, remembering every detail.

A table full of simple home-cooked dishes, brimming with sincere motherly love.

Alexander Valor looked at the food, his appetite growing, mouth watering.

Margaret Evans saw her son-in-law enjoying the meal and smiled even more, occasionally serving food and pouring wine for the two men.

Dr. Rowan Lin drank and chatted with Alexander Valor.

As the wine flowed, Alexander Valor's gaze became distant. Looking at his father- and mother-in-law across the table, he suddenly realized this was the family love he'd sought for twenty years.

He had never felt fatherly or motherly love from his own parents, yet unexpectedly, he found it in his wife's parents.

They'd nearly finished eating, but the wine kept flowing.

Both Alexander and his father-in-law could drink a lot. Margaret Evans cleared the table and made more snacks to go with the wine, letting the two men continue their feast.

Next came the men's time together.

It was Alexander Valor's first time drinking with elder men. Growing up, Marquis Valor had never treated him this way—let alone drinking together, even sharing a meal was rare.

Feeling happy, Alexander drank a bit too much, stretching his long legs against the chair and pouring wine for himself, one jug after another.

Dr. Rowan Lin watched him drink, a hidden sadness in his eyes.

"Too much drinking is bad for you, take it easy." Dr. Rowan Lin took the wine jug from Alexander, concern filling his eyes.