Chapter 1218

Dinner left Cole feeling uneasy, like he'd just walked into a trap he hadn't seen coming.

The tension didn't let up, even after they left the Brandon house. Cole was still jumpy, nerves stretched tight.

When the four of them got home, Cole and Makiko headed straight for their room without saying a word to anyone.

Wilder and Sandi shared a look, and without another word, slipped into Wilder's room.

"Dorian, what are Mom and Dad hiding from us? Dad ate that chestnut pastry, didn't he?" Sandi whispered, her eyes wide.

"Sandi, let's drop it here. Don't go talking about this with anyone else. If you say something wrong and it causes trouble for Mom or Dad, that's on you," Wilder said, his tone serious.

“Come on, Dorian, I'm not stupid. Why would I ever spill Dad's secrets? We're family. Josefina and Oliver-they're outsiders. Grandpa only cares about them. It's like I don't even exist to him," Sandi muttered, her voice tinged with jealousy.

Wilder rubbed his temples. He only knew the surface of what was going on-he was sure their parents weren't telling them everything.

"If Mom and Dad want us to know, they'll tell us. Don't go digging for answers."

Sandi rolled her eyes. "You've gotten so cautious lately. You weren't like this before." "I'm just being careful," Wilder said quietly. "Everyone was watching tonight, Sandi. Just... please watch what you say and do."

Wilder's serious look startled Sandi, and she nodded quickly. “Okay, okay, I get it. I'll be careful. Promise."

Oliver and Josefina were still there.

Rowan took the chance to sit down, hoping to spend a little more time with Oliver. He didn't want their relationship to slip away so easily.

Brandon put on a grin. "Josie, why don't you and Bennett go check out the guest room I set up?"

He shot Josefina a look—making it clear, without saying it, that he didn't want to talk about the kids in front of Rowan.

Josefina got the hint right away and followed Bennett out.

As soon as she was gone, Brandon's smile dropped.

Rowan had barely settled onto the couch when Brandon's sharp glare pinned him in place. "Why are you still here?"

Rowan stared, caught off guard. Couldn't he stay?

"Dad, I—"

"I what? What are you hanging

around for? Trying to listen in so you can gossip later? Rowan, Oliver's got his own life now, coming things just ne. There's nothing here for you anymore-go find somewhere else. to be."

Rowan was silent, hurt written all over his face.

Brandon muttered, "What, you not listening now? I'm not dead yet, this house is still mine! I only put up with you before because Oliver was

always about to leave. If he local ne

who'd run the Baldwin family's business? But now alivers staying, so I don't have to put up with your nonsense. Get out!"

Rowan felt like crying.

So all this time, Brandon had only tolerated him because he'd raised an exceptional son? If Oliver hadnt turned out this way would Brandons have just thrown him out and left him to fend for himself?

Rowan's eyes lingered on Oliver-his only son, the pride of his life.

But this son still didn't want anything to do with him.

It took everything Rowan had to say, "Oliver..."

"Rowan!" Brandon snapped, eyes blazing.

Rowan lowered his head, let out a heavy sigh, and walked out without another word.

This family-he'd never really been a part of it, not truly.