"Mom doesn’t understand what’s in or out of fashion, I’m old now. I don’t like it."
Ariana Evans patted Titus Zane’s hand, "Mom just likes the sight of my daughter’s flowing long hair, like a fairy, so pretty!"
Ariana Evans sighed, a distant look in her eyes, and Titus Zane felt a sourness in her heart.
She remembered that when she was young, it was her mother who combed her hair. She had long, straight, and thick hair back then, and the girls in her class all envied her beautiful long hair.
"Mom, I’ve grown up." Titus Zane curved her lips, the arc of her smile bitter.
"Yes, you have!" Ariana Evans sighed again, withdrawing her gaze and placing her hand on Titus Zane’s brown big waves, stroking gently.
"My daughter has grown up, and mom has gotten old as well."
"Mom, you’re not old. You’re still young."
"Don’t just try to cheer me up," Ariana Evans said with a laugh, even though she spoke otherwise, "You’re thirty-one now, how can I not be old? Look," Ariana Evans slightly turned her head, "Mom’s hair is turning white, and you say I’m not old."
Moved by the moment, Titus Zane didn’t want to miss this opportunity. She reached out to Ariana Evans’s hair and said with a smile.
"Mom, just one strand, let me pluck it for you."
Without waiting for Ariana Evans to agree, she had already plucked that white hair and held it between her fingers, curiously asking, "Mom, why is white hair shinier than black hair?"
It’s too obvious to just pocket it; she could only do so when no one was paying attention.
However, Ariana Evans took that silver hair back from Titus Zane’s hands, sighed, and said, "Because it’s transparent, it seems to have luster in the sound."
After finishing speaking, she stood up with the silver hair and walked toward the public restroom on the first floor.
The hair she had just gotten was lost just like that, and she could only watch helplessly, unable to do anything.
When Ariana Evans came back, the silver strand was already discarded in the trash bin.
Sitting next to Titus Zane, on that side, Jon was actively engaging in conversation, seemingly very in tune with Julian Zane.
"Titus, why don’t you stay over at the house tonight? It’s Jon’s first visit."
"Mom, no, Jon isn’t comfortable staying at other people’s houses. He’s a bit fussy!"
Titus Zane gently refused, using Jon as a shield.
Who knew that Jon, who was deeply engrossed in conversation with Julian Zane, suddenly stopped and looked at Ariana Evans with excitement.
"No, I’m not fussy at all. I just don’t like going to hotels!"
Ariana Evans laughed and said, "See, Jon agreed to stay here so readily. You’re the one making excuses."
Even though her mother’s words sounded like a joke, the feeling of being exposed was truly embarrassing.
Titus Zane shot Jon an angry glare. He spread his hands slightly and raised his eyebrows as if to convey his good mood.
"Alright then," Titus Zane gave in, "In that case, I’ll be intruding on your and dad’s rest."
"This child, we’re all family, why so formal!" Ariana Evans feigned displeasure and chided.
Nathan Moore had already peeled the apple, holding the fruit knife to cut it in half, one half for Olivia Zane and the other half for... Titus Zane.
Everyone’s expression froze, taken aback by Nathan Moore’s unreserved and unabashed gesture.
Olivia Zane had just received the apple and hadn’t yet taken a bite, her gaze intently fixed on the half of the apple Nathan was holding in front of Titus Zane, the apple in her own hand almost squeezed to ruin.
It was Ariana Evans who reacted first, smilingly saying.
"Titus, take it quickly, Nathan’s arm must be getting tired."
It’s the usual tone, the regular demeanor. Those unaware of the undercurrents would think this family is very harmonious.
However, the complexity within is only clear to the family itself.