chapter626

Connor arched an eyebrow, sounding completely unfazed. "I'm your brother-in-law."

Luke blinked, thrown off. Wait, what was going on?

Connor tugged Lydia closer, his arm slipping around her. "I'm your sister's fianc . Got it?"

Luke's eyes grew huge. "Brother-in-law?" He glanced at Lydia, looking for confirmation.

Lydia nodded. "Yeah. He's your brother-in-law."

Luke's voice was hesitant. "Alright."

Connor looked pleased. "You're tired. Don't overthink it. Go get some rest in your room. Lydia and I will come check on you tomorrow."

Luke nodded obediently. "Okay."

Lydia drove Connor back to his place. As soon as they pulled up, Connor got a little clingy. "Stay with me tonight."

Lydia shot him a look. "Are you three years old or something? Can't sleep without someone next to you?"

Connor took her hand and twined their fingers, not letting go. "Just pretend I am." Lydia smirked. "Aren't you worried Elliot might show up looking for you?"

Connor went quiet.

Lydia's tone softened, surprisingly gentle. "Be good."

Connor really didn't want to let go, but picturing Elliot showing up at his door with a knife was enough to get him out of the car. He couldn't afford to mess up right now. He needed the Norwood family to have a good impression of him.

"Drive safe," he said.

"I will."

He hesitated, then added, "You wanted to see Elliot's new movie, right? Tomorrow's the weekend. I'll buy us tickets. He remembered she'd mentioned it a while ago. Lydia nodded. "Sounds good."

Connor stood outside and watched her car disappear down the street before finally heading inside.

When Lydia got back to the Norwood house, Cameron and Kylie were in the living room, talking to Grandpa about what happened with the Smith family. Elliot was still out with friends and hadn't come home yet.

"Lydia, you're back?" Kylie's face lit up with warmth as soon as she saw her.

Lydia nodded. "Yeah."

"Connor's gone?"

"He just left."

"Is Luke okay?" Cameron asked, unable to hide his concern. He honestly hadn't expected Jenson and Milana's son to be so upright way better than his parents, that was for sure.

Lydia didn't mention anything about what Luke had tried to do. She just

wight

nodded "He's alright." Kylie let out a quiet sigh "How does such a good kid end up with parents like that? And then there's Sandy... so young and already so cruel. Hard to believe they're siblings."

Cameron chimed in, Back when we were looking into Lydia's background, we learned a bit about Sandy. Her life with the White family was... not good. Honestly, it was pretty rough. I guess her environment really shaped who she is.

Kylie shook her head. "That's true. Frank never did anything good with his life. He's just a gambler, always in trouble. He..."

She suddenly caught herself,

glancing at Lucinda, who looked a little pale Kylie stopped and offered

a quick apology Oh Lucinda

sorry Dshouldn't have said that in

front of you. I didn't mean to talk bad

about your birth father."

Lucinda's hands were clenched tight, her face whitening, but she managed a small smile. It's alright, Mom. I'm just... still not used to the idea that he's my dad."

The truth was, having Frank for a father was humiliating for Lucinda. She hoped she'd never have to see him again. Cameron tried to comfort her. Lucinda, your mom didn't mean anything by it. Don't let it get to you. That's why after we learned what the White family was really like, we all agreed you shouldn't go back." Lucinda nodded. "I know, Dad. You guys keep talking. I'm heading upstairs."