Isabella's expression shifted.
Not completely.
Just enough for the warmth to dim slightly.
"Your grandfather called," she said more seriously now. "He wants all of us at his house for dinner tonight."
Daniel immediately frowned.
"Tonight?" He repeated. "That man never calls people for dinner without a reason."
Isabelle sighed softly. "Maybe he's just feeling lonely lately."
Daniel gave her a flat look. "Your father does not experience loneliness," he muttered dryly. "He experiences strategy."
That earned laughter from both Alaric and Clara almost instantly.
"He does love us," Clara argued between laughs.
Daniel opened the car door with a scoff. "He never loved me."
"That's because you married Mom despite him threatening you," Alaric reminded him casually.
"And I'd do it again," Daniel replied immediately.
Isabelle rolled her eyes affectionately. "Can we continue this family trauma discussion inside the car?"
