Chapter 273

The Sinclair family never stayed up late for the Ember Festival celebrations. By the time Isabella and the others returned home, Margaret had already gone to bed.

As Isabella climbed the stairs, the grandfather clock chimed midnight.

Her phone had been buzzing incessantly.

Nathaniel, Julian, and several colleagues from YodaVision had sent Ember Festival wishes, including Theodore and Walter.

She responded to each message, even Julian's, before sending her own greetings to Frederick and Emily.

Just then, Theodore texted again, asking if she was free in the coming days. He mentioned being swamped with work previously and wanting to properly thank her over dinner now that he had time.

After finishing her conversation with Theodore, Isabella placed her phone aside and headed for the shower.

Visiting Evelyn always brought pain to the Sinclair family.

Yet how could they not go on such an important day?

Every year on the first morning of Ember Festival, Isabella and Margaret would prepare an elaborate meal, pack it carefully, and deliver it to the nursing home.

This tradition remained unchanged.

So on the first Ember Festival morning, Isabella rose early.

Margaret, Charles, and Caroline were already downstairs when she descended.

Seeing her, both Margaret and Caroline handed her gift boxes.

Margaret gently cupped Isabella's face with warm hands. "May this year bring you nothing but happiness, my dear."

"Thank you, Grandma."

After breakfast, Isabella and Caroline began preparing ingredients in the kitchen.

Though both Margaret and Charles were excellent cooks, only Caroline could prepare Evelyn's meals. Evelyn could always detect who had cooked the food, which often triggered emotional distress.

For years, this responsibility had fallen solely to Caroline.

When Isabella learned to cook, they began sharing the task.

Truthfully, Isabella had wanted to learn cooking since childhood - for Evelyn's sake.

But Margaret wouldn't allow it.

Margaret believed Isabella was too young. Learning to cook for Evelyn would mean shouldering that burden prematurely.

Isabella's childhood had been difficult enough. Margaret wanted her to experience as much joy as possible without being constantly anchored to the past.

Two hours later, the dining table overflowed with dishes.

William and Edward helped pack everything.

Armed with Ember Festival gifts, the six of them set out for the nursing home.

They'd also prepared small presents for Evelyn's caretakers.

Evelyn remained as fragile as ever, her gaze vacant.

Isabella, Margaret and the others stood where Evelyn couldn't see them, watching as she showed no reaction to the gifts the nurses presented on their behalf.

A nurse placed Margaret's carefully prepared gift box in Evelyn's hands, but she barely noticed. After a brief glance, she let it fall to the floor as if it meant nothing.

Her appetite remained minimal. Despite the feast spread before her, she showed no interest. Only when the nurse spooned bites into her bowl did she eat.

After tasting just a few dishes, she withdrew into her own world again.

The nurse sighed and began clearing the table.

Isabella's eyes burned, but she held back tears, not wanting to upset the others.

Though in truth, they all felt the same.

After thirty minutes, they left.