(Author's note: The dialogues in telepathy are italicized.)

It's perfectly normal for May to walk these streets early in the morning, carrying two large bags full of groceries and household goods, heading toward her workplace—the Lanes' residence. As a housekeeper, she's used to being called in at unexpected times. Even now, on vacation, it's totally fine. She smiles with a little more effort than usual.

It's fine. It must be an important occasion.

At the gate, Mary and Anna wait with different expressions—one warm, the other unreadable.

"There you are, my dear!" Mary beams, taking one of the bags. "Did you bring everything I asked for?"

"Yes, ma'am." May hurries inside. "Is it for someone? A guest?"

From here, the conversation shifts into telepathy—May, too, is a dominant.

"Not a guest, May," Mary replies cheerfully. "It's my third son, Gabriel. He just came home yesterday. He's still sleeping—must be exhausted. You'll see him soon."

May stops mid-step, startled by the news.

"You heard her right, sis," Anna chimes in, arms crossed as she joins them. "Though you've never met him."

"Never met?" May puts down the remaining bag and turns to Anna, eyes wide. "I didn't even know he existed! I've worked here for five years and never heard or seen anything about him. How come?"

Anna shrugs.

"I know what you're thinking," Mary says as she bustles around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. "We had... personal reasons. But now that Gab is back, I hope you'll welcome him. Be kind, help him adjust. Okay?"

"Yeah, sure!" May agrees quickly.

"I'd be more careful around him if I were you, sis," Anna transmits privately behind their mother's back.

"What? Isn't he your brother?"

"He is. But he's also... a lot of other things," Anna says cryptically. "I'll tell you more later. Just mark my words—stay away from him. Clara should, too. You know what my ability is. Trust me."

Before May can process the rush of information, Jason walks past the hall, adjusting his long coat with one hand, a briefcase in the other. The sight of him instantly steals May's focus. Her cheeks turn pink.

"Oh, hi May!" Jason greets politely. "Sorry for calling you in during your vacation."

"Morning, Jay." She smiles shyly. "It's nothing. My mom and I were bored at home anyway."

Anna watches with a smirk, saying nothing.

"Are you leaving already? What about breakfast?" Mary calls as Jason heads toward the door.

"I've got an early shift, Mom. Can't stay."

Mary sighs as he disappears. The next to arrive is Kyle.

"Hey, Mom. Hey, May. Anna, sup!"

The young detective strolls in casually. His tousled hair and relaxed outfit don't hide the fact that he's effortlessly handsome.

"Come now, be more upright. You're a civil servant."

Daniel's voice precedes him as he enters in a tailored black suit, every bit the nobleman preparing for public appearances.

"Don't be such an old geezer. Come here!" Mary waves her husband and son toward the breakfast bar, where the aroma of hot soup fills the air.

The morning gathering is already lively with voices and laughter when Gabriel appears.

He approaches so quietly that no one notices at first. Then they see him—standing hesitantly by the door, as if unsure whether he's allowed to join. A faint, awkward smile clings to his face.

"Gab, you're up? Come in! Join us!" Mary calls out warmly.

Hearing her, May focuses on the mysterious young master. His appearance surprises her—he's not bad looking, but he doesn't resemble the others at all. The Lanes siblings have their father's golden hair and blue eyes; Mary has glossy light brown hair and matching eyes. Gabriel, however, has pitch-black hair and gray eyes. His dark, baggy jeans obscure most of his slender build.

He steps inside with the shy air of a teenage boy on his first day at a new school. May's heart softens at the sight. Whatever happened before, this boy seems harmless enough.

"Good morning, Dad, Mom, Kay, An, and..." Gabriel greets each of them carefully.

Anna turns her head away when he says her nickname. Daniel and Kyle nod back, briefly. Mary smiles and introduces them.

"This is May, our housekeeper. She and her mother, Clara, are like family to us."

"Nice to meet you, young master," May says, offering her hand with practiced grace. "Can I call you Gabriel?"

Gabriel blinks, surprised to be addressed so formally. He reaches for her hand a bit clumsily.

"Just Gab is fine. Nice to meet you too, Ms. May."

"Oh no, please—just call me May."

As they shake hands, she notices the roughness of his palms—scarred and calloused in a way she hadn't expected. Still, she says nothing. It's her job to respect the family's privacy.

Suddenly, Anna rises and walks out, leaving only a telepathic thought behind.

"I'm going. Bye."

"An! Say goodbye to your brother properly!" Mary calls after her, but Anna doesn't stop.

Gabriel catches a chill as his younger sister brushes past without even glancing at him. The cheerful mood sours.

After the silence stretches, Kyle makes his exit. 

"R... right! I should get going too. Forgot some documentation stuff."

He pats Gabriel's shoulder lightly, flashes a quick smile, and teleports out of the room.

Gabriel's smile fades into awkwardness. He feels small.

"Those kids are really..." Mary sighs. "Don't mind them, honey. They just need time."

She leads him to the table and sits him beside Daniel.

"That's right," Daniel adds. "They haven't seen you in so long—it's only natural. Just rest these next few days. Take a walk, clear your head. May and Clara will help with anything you need."

May nods encouragingly. Touched by their warmth, Gabriel smiles faintly.

"I get it. Thank you."

After a few more gentle exchanges, Daniel and Mary leave together to attend a public event in the city hall. The house settles into quiet.

Only Gabriel and May remain.

"Would you like something to drink?" May asks, trying to ease the silence.

"It's fine, thanks... May." Gabriel replies, spooning his soup slowly. "This is delicious. My mom's cooking is still top-notch. Did you have some?"

May blinks, surprised by the question.

"We usually don't eat with the family. We're here to serve, not share the table."

"Really?" Gabriel looks genuinely surprised. "Back then, we didn't have housekeepers, so I didn't know."

"Well, now you do." May offers a kind smile. "So let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you. Then..." Gabriel hesitates. "Can you sit here and eat with me? It's kind of... hard to eat alone, you know?"

May pauses for a moment, then grabs a new plate and sits beside him.

"Alright. Let's eat together."

In the spacious dining room, the two begin to talk more comfortably.

"My mom also works here—her name's Clara. She can't hear or speak, and she's a recessive."

May talks about her mother, who's off work today since they're still on holiday. 

"Really? I can't wait to meet her," Gabriel says. "I'm a recessive too."

"So you are! I had a hunch, since you only use your voice. But... are you really?"

May's curiosity slips out before she can stop herself.

"I know, right? I don't look like my family at all," Gabriel replies with a sad little laugh.

"That's not what I meant!" May says quickly. "I didn't mean it in a bad way, okay?"

"Yeah, it's okay. Haha," Gabriel chuckles.

Their voices echo softly in the grand, quiet house—filling the silence with warmth. 

___
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