Noelle walked out of Laurence’s study. When the door slipped shut, she stood outside for a bit before heading downstairs.

Jane and Lilian had finished their supper. Jane was cleaning the dishes in the kitchen while Lilian stayed at the dining table. The two ladies seemed to be chatting.

Picking up on Noelle’s footsteps, Lilian stopped talking.

Noelle wanted to do the dishes for Jane, but Jane was done with the task.

“Mom, just leave the dishes to me next time.”

Jane replied, “I’m not h