"Mother, I'll help with that," said Evelyn, standing up to serve the food.
Evelyn is the mother of Emma and Matilda.
"Why is your husband not here yet?" Grandma asked, concern etched on her face. "Something urgent came up, but he will soon be here," Evelyn replied, reassuring her.
Just then, a voice was heard from the doorway. "Sorry I'm late," said Lucas, walking in with a smile. He greeted his dad, with a warm hug, and then went to his mum,and kissed her on the cheek.
"Now let's all settle down and eat," Grandma said, her eyes twinkling with happiness.Grandma has two children,the first is the father of Ava and Aiden,the second one is Evelyn's husband.
"How is the company doing?" Grandpa asked Lucas, his eyes sparkling with interest.
"It's going well, Dad," Lucas replied, a smile on his face. "We've managed to secure a business collaboration with Nexus Corporation."
Ava choked on her food, her eyes widening in surprise. She quickly picked up a glass of water to drink, trying to compose herself.
"What? You think my dad can't do that?" Emma said, glaring at Ava. "Of all companies, Nexus Corp... what a liar," Ava thought to herself. Then she responded to Emma, "I didn't say anything, or did I?"
Evelyn joined in, "Ava, no talking back at the dinner table." Ava scoffed at her and retorted, "You better tell your daughter to stay away from my mom. You think I didn't know she came to the hospital to bother her."
"My daughter did no such thing," Evelyn said in her daughter's defense. "She only came to tell you guys about the family dinner."
"Ava dear, it's okay, just concentrate on eating," Ava's mum said, trying to calm the situation.
"Stop all this," Lucas intervened. "We're a family. We're not supposed to fight like this. You're making Mother and Father worry."
Ava whispered under her breath, "Hypocrite."
Suddenly Lucas stood up and said, "I have an announcement to make." Everybody turned to him, curious about what he had to say.
"Mother, Father, I'm sorry," Lucas began, his voice filled with regret. "Your son has been a disgrace to you." He turned to his parents, his eyes downcast.
"My wife, Evelyn, I have greatly offended you," he continued, his voice cracking. "And to my daughters, Emma and Matilda, I know you will be disappointed in your papa..."
"What happened?" Grandma asked, her brow furrowed with worry.
"I have a son from outside my marriage," Lucas said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The woman I had an affair with called me this morning to tell me she was having my baby. That's what made me run late."
"Dad, how could you do this to us?" Emma asked, tears streaming down her face.
"Honey, is it that I'm not enough for you?" Evelyn asked, her voice trembling.
Matilda tried to console her mother, while Ava scoffed, thinking to herself, "What great acting."
Grandpa broke the silence, his voice firm. "We will have to acknowledge him as a son of this family. Our blood runs through his veins."
"Thank you, Dad," Lucas said, relief evident on his face. "I promise it won't happen again."
"What about the mother?" Grandma asked, her expression somber.
"She died this afternoon during labor," Lucas responded, his voice filled with sadness.
Grandma nodded. "You have to take him in then."
Ava watched the drama unfold before her eyes, her gaze meeting Lucas's. He gave her a triumphant smile, but Ava was unfazed.
"I don't care how many sons you have from outside," Ava said, standing up. "Just know that you're warming that seat for Aiden till he comes of age. After all, the company is my father's birthright."
With that, Ava turned to her grandparents. "Grandma, Grandpa, thank you for the food." She turned to her mum. "Mum, I'm taking a walk outside." And with that, she left.
As the door closed behind Ava, Evelyn turned to Rachel. "Rachel, your daughter is so rude. How can she behave like this in front of Mother and Father? Talk to her."
Rachel's response was swift. "Caution yours first." She had tolerated enough from Evelyn and her family, knowing their scheming had driven her husband to leave the company and become a journalist to live in peace with his family.