chapter272

Lydia felt a wave of emotion. She looked at Garrett with a warm smile. Thank you."

Garrett gently ruffled her hair. "Come on, I'm your brother."

Off to the side, Connor noticed the mountain of gifts Garrett had loaded into the trunk for Lydia. Suddenly, his own presents felt embarrassingly small in comparison. He had only given Lydia a starstone bracelet and a pendant. That was it. Really, it was nothing.

Garrett leaned in, dropping his voice so only Lydia could hear. "Is that guy treating you right? If he's not, we can break off the engagement and find you someone better."

To be honest, Garrett didn't mean to be harsh, but Connor had always struck him as cold and distant, not the type who knew how to make a girl happy. In all the years since the engagement, Garrett could count the number of times he'd seen Connor on one hand. And every time, Connor looked stiff and unapproachable, never smiling, barely even acknowledging Lucinda. Garrett and his brothers used to joke that Connor was destined to be a lifelong bachelor. Could someone so emotionally clueless ever make his little sister happy?

Lydia heard Garrett's question and, almost without thinking, glanced over at Connor. She gave a tiny smile and whispered back, He's good to me."

Garrett raised an eyebrow, not convinced. "He is?"

Lydia nodded. "Really."

Connor had always been kind to her, even if no one else saw it.

Garrett clicked his tongue in disbelief. "Lydia, don't get tricked by his looks. If he's not gentle or thoughtful, you'll be the one getting hurt."

"I know, Garrett. But he really is good to me." Lydia's eyes were clear and steady.

Garrett blinked, looked at Connor again, and finally let it go. "Alright, but if he ever treats you badly or makes you upset, you have to tell me. I'll take care of him for you."

Lydia's smile grew. "Okay."

Connor could tell Garrett and Lydia were talking about him, so he hung back. Instead, he turned to Kylie and Cameron. "Mr. Norwood, Mrs. Norwood, I've brought Lydia back. I'll head out now, but I'll come by for

proper visit another day."

He figured once Mr. Norwood was home from the hospital, it was time for a formal visit to the family to make things official with Lydia.

Kylie quickly invited him to stay. "Connor, you haven't had dinner yet, have you? Garrett is back too. Why not stay and eat with us?"

Cameron chimed in, "Yeah, Connor, join us for dinner. It won't take long."

Normally, Connor wouldn't have stayed. But now, he glanced at Lydia, hoping for her opinion. Did she want him to stick around?

Lydia and Garrett wrapped up their private chat and heard the invitation. They walked over together.

"You've had a busy day. How about you eat before heading home?" Lydia suggested.

Garrett just glared at Connor, saying nothing, acting like a jealous older brother.

Connor felt a surge of happiness at

Lydia's invitation. He nodded, not

even trying to hide how was. "Alright.

he

I stay ret

Garrett rolled his eyes. This guy really wasn't shy at all.

Meanwhile, inside the main house at Riverside Villas, Lucinda was over the moon knowing Garrett was coming home. Out of her four

brothers, Garrett had always been the easiest to talk to. He spent the most time at home and always treated her kindly. She'd gotten dressed up early, waiting excitedly for his return and hoping he'd brought her something special.