CHAPTER 20 FALSE DINNER

In the dining room, a sizable family gathered around the table, partaking in their evening meal, each member carefully maintaining an outward appearance of harmony. Despite the underlying tension, no one dared to speak ill of others, especially in the presence of Grandpa, so everyone remained exceptionally courteous. However, beneath this superficial facade, Juliet couldn't shake off the overwhelming discomfort that permeated the atmosphere throughout the meal. "So grandpa, how does it feel to be all alone in a room for days?" In the midst of the tension-laden atmosphere, Caleb's question hung in the air like a spark in a dry field. Grandpa, his weathered face illuminated by the soft glow of the dining room chandelier, paused for a moment, his fork hovering mid-air. "It's a strange feeling, Caleb," he began, his voice carrying the weight of decades of experience. "Being alone for days on end, it's not something you ever quite get used to. But you learn to make peace with it, to