Chapter 246

The dining room is chaotic. Plates clatter, wine glasses clink, and everyone is shouting over each other. My dad is seated at the head of the table. He’s holding court as usual, recounting some wild story that I’m sure gets more exaggerated with every telling.

At a point between stories, he leans over, his eyes twinkling. “So, Jade, tell me—how does my son behave in the big city? Still the same li