In truth, he had intentionally sought out Tiana and her kids. By sheer chance, this had led to the opportunity to have a meal at her home.
But he hadn't expected the tension between Capone and Sophia to remain as intense as ever. In the end, it was Capone who walked out the door.
Once that oppressive presence of his was gone, the house suddenly felt a bit empty.
The weather wasn't great. Dusk settled in layer by layer, and the occasional sound of firecrackers could be heard. From the outside, Little New Year's Eve on the streets seemed somewhat desolate, but behind every lit window, there was a unique warmth and peace.
"Spaghetti time, spaghetti time! Today's dumplings come in two flavors—celery and beef, and shrimp with mushrooms. Eat up; there's plenty!" Tiana placed the last dish on the table and noticed Sophia sitting there, absentmindedly chewing on her chopsticks. She gave her a pat. "Spaghetti's ready! Want me to add some chili to your vinegar dip?"
