Chapter130 Why Look at Your Sister When I'm Asking You
Her stepdad wasn’t known for his culinary skills, nor did he have any love for the kitchen, which is why they always had a housekeeper to cook for them.
But now...
There he was, cooking in the kitchen.
"After you went back to Ivrea City recently, Dad started experimenting with recipes all by himself," Lydia explained, seeing the look on her sister's face. "He wasted quite a bit of groceries before he got it right."
Her sister wasn't picky; if the food was cooked and not poisonous, she'd eat it.
Still, their dad wanted to make the best dishes for her because he believed that she deserved nothing but the best.
"Come taste what I've whipped up," Lydia urged her over, picking up a piece of barbequed meat with a fork and offering it to her. "This and the honey-glazed ribs are my specialties. Let me know what you think."
"It's delicious," Daphne said, feeling content. "Rich but not greasy, and very flavorful."
Lydia's smile widened in delight.
Just then, Murphy came out of the kitchen with a bowl of clam chowder, still wearing his apron.
Seeing Daphne, his entire body lit up with joy as he stood there, holding the soup and beaming, "Daffy's home."
"Mhm."
"Let's sit down and eat."
"Okay."
Daphne and Lydia took their seats.
Mr. Murphy stood there for a moment, the happiness nearly overwhelming him at the thought of Daffy finally joining him for dinner.
Noticing he had not yet moved, Daphne asked, "Isn't that hot?"
Mr. Murphy, initially startled, then quickly felt the heat from the clam chowder and hastily placed the bowl on the table with a hiss.
Lydia laughed heartily and teased Mr. Murphy, "Dad, are you losing it?"
Mr. Murphy, a bit embarrassed, took off his apron and sat down with Daphne and Lydia for dinner.
Daphne took the laddle and filled a bowl of clam chowder for Murphy, handing it to him.
Upon seeing the soup in front of him, Mr. Murphy froze, feeling a sudden sting in his nose, and his eyes quickly moistened.
"Dad, tears don't make for a tasty clam chowder," Lydia said, lightening the mood.
Mr. Murphy chuckled with tears in his eyes, visibly moved. He picked up the spoon, his eyes downcast as he sipped slowly, spoonful after spoonful. As he was nearly done, his movements gradually became sluggish.
It had been two years.
Daffy had finally started to warm up to him.
Watching this, Daphne felt a weight in her chest, an indescribable sense of suffocation.
"Let's eat," Daphne said, her voice carrying a slight change from usual, "I've got something to tell you after the meal."
"Okay," Mr. Murphy's voice was hoarser than before.
This meal was slower than any they'd had before.
Eventually, the dishes on the table grew cold, and the three of them were merely passing the time.
Mr. Murphy's thoughts were simple.
He didn't know when he'd eat with Daffy again, so he cherished this moment.
Daphne was purely wondering how to break the news about Tony.
Sophia, mentioned by Lydia, was Tony's sister. If her dummy dad married Sophia, legally, Tony would become his brother-in-law.
If Tony had broken the law and was imprisoned, some of these matters would inevitably impact them.
She had to tell them.
It was 8:30 p.m.
Murphy finally set down his utensils, albeit reluctantly.
Daphne had intended to wash the dishes since she was only responsible for eating this meal, and the housekeeper had been given the day off by Murphy.
But before her hands could touch the dishes, Murphy had already taken them, saying, "You and Lydia go watch some TV; I'll take care of this."
Unable to argue with him, she let him proceed.
On the sofa, Lydia was munching on a fruit, gossiped, "Sis, what's the secret between you and dad that I don't know about? Don't give me the 'you're too young' spiel; I'll be twenty soon enough."
"I'll tell you later," Daphne still didn't reveal the secret.
So, they sat, one absorbed in the television, the other preoccupied with the upcoming discussion.
Fifteen minutes later.
Murphy came out of the kitchen.
He took a seat on a separate armchair and asked Daphne, "What was it that you wanted to tell us?"
"I'm going to put Tony behind bars," Daphne didn't hold back the truth, "If things go as expected, he'll be sentenced to fifteen to twenty years."
Murphy and Lydia exchanged glances.
They both blurted out the same response: "That's it?"
Daphne was puzzled.
Wasn't this significant for him?
"Do whatever you see fit, don't overthink it," Murphy said again.
Daphne felt relieved: "Alright."
"Anything else?"
"No, that's all."
"Okay then."
Lydia sighed as she observed the uncomfortable interaction between her father and sister. Murphy, typically sociable and chatty in the workplace, appeared to withdraw into a quiet shell in her presence.
"Dad, weren't you talking about getting even with Charles when we go to Ivrea City for Grandpa's birthday on the 15th?" Lydia interjected, offering them a topic. "Do you have a plan for that?"
Murphy glanced at Daphne out of the corner of his eye, saying nothing.
"Why are you looking at her when I'm asking the question?" Lydia prodded.
Murphy was at a loss for words. That girl could be so blunt!
Seriously, hadn’t she learned the art of subtle conversation?
"Personally, I don't think you'll be able to handle him," Lydia stated matter-of-factly.
"That's impossible!" Murphy yelled out in protest.
Lydia's smirk was mischievous as Daphne cast a glance their way.
Murphy felt awkward for a moment, desperately wishing for a hole in the ground to swallow him up. The last confrontation hadn't made much of an impression on Charles, and the last thing he wanted was for Daphne to think he lacked authority as a father. The thought alone was unsettling, making him wish he could have a do-over to make things right again.
"You don't need to worry about Charles," Daphne interjected firmly. "We're divorced. The less entanglement, the better."
Mr. Murphy didn't dare to argue. "Alright."
Although he agreed outwardly, he still harbored strong resentment toward Charles.
Seeing that the conversation had dwindled, Daphne stood up. "I'm going to head upstairs. Call me if you need anything."
"Sure." Murphy wanted to ask her to stay, but he knew that even if Daphne did, he had no clue what to talk about with her. Discussing family matters was a no-go. Talking about Charles was clearly off-limits, and bringing up work would just bore her after a long day at the office.
Lydia shook her head, mysteriously producing a snack from somewhere. "Dad, no offense, but your 'all right's never led to an actual conversation with her."
"You should have said, where do you think you're going?" Lydia dramatized. "Just ate, and you’re leaving? Do you really dislike being around me that much? I’m your father, after all. Am I even significant to you?'"
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