Chapter 452: Suitcases and Silences: A Family Welcome Gone Wrong
The Ramsy family stood side by side near the arrival gates, their reflection faintly visible in the glass wall as they waited. The air buzzed with nervous anticipation, trolleys clattered by, and the faint echo of rolling suitcases filled the space.
Elina smoothed the skirt of her blue dress for what felt like the tenth time. Her hands fluttered anxiously to her hair.
"Jacob, how do I look?" she asked, turning to her husband with wide, searching eyes. "Do I look okay? Not too formal? Or not too casual?"
"Mum," Aria groaned, arms crossed. "You look fine! You’ve asked Dad a thousand times already!"
"She’s just nervous. Don’t be hard on your mother," Jacob said, adjusting his glasses and hiding a smile.
"We are all nervous! Especially me! I’ve never even seen him before!" Aria mumbled with a pout.
Willow, calm as ever, stood a little apart from the others. Her eyes never wavered from the glass door. "She’s nervous because of Micah," she said quietly.
Aria made a face. "Poor Darcy. He probably has no idea what Micah’s really like when he’s angry."
Elina clicked her tongue. "We’d better be careful then. You know how Micah gets. I am scared of his mouth more than his temper."
"Yeah. When that mouth opens, it’s like a fire cannon, burning friends and foes at the same time!" Aria shivered.
Albert Ramsy, who had been silent until now, tapped his cane once against the floor. The sharp sound made them all straighten instinctively. "Focus," he said sternly. "Let’s not forget, we are not here just for Micah."
Jacob sighed. "We know, we know, Dad."
Aria grinned mischievously. "Careful, Grandpa. If Micah hears you talking like that, he’ll think you just care about your company."
"Nonsense!" Albert huffed. "When have I ever done that!"
Aria giggled. "Micah’s brain just doesn’t work like normal people’s. He has a screw loose in his head!"
"Mind your words, young lady," Elina said sternly, shooting her a warning glare.
"Mum!" Aria whined. "I’m just telling the truth!"
"Let’s drop this. They’re coming," Willow said suddenly.
Five heads turned toward the automatic doors. The glass slid open with a soft hiss, and people began streaming out from customs. Tourists, businessmen, a couple pushing a stroller. And then, finally, they saw them.
Zhou Ruyan appeared first, dignified in her ivory coat. Behind her, Micah followed with two suitcases in tow, and at the very back, a step slower, was Darcy.
The Ramsy family’s gazes shifted instantly. First to Micah’s familiar silver-white hair, then to the tall, dark-haired young man walking behind him, studying their expressions.
Darcy’s face was calm, unreadable, his eyes cool like still water.
Catching their stare, Micah grinned foolishly at them while Darcy just nodded.
"Ah... there they are," Jacob murmured, adjusting his glasses again, though his fingers were faintly trembling.
"Mum, Dad!" Micah called, jogging ahead as the suitcases wobbled behind him. When he reached them, Elina wrapped her arms around him tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
"My silly boy," she whispered, voice shaking.
Jacob hugged him the moment Elina let him go.
Micah returned their hugs, enjoying the warmth before straightening up. "Grandpa," he called out quietly.
Albert gave him a short nod before his eyes turned to Zhou Ruyan.
Willow stepped forward, ruffling Micah’s hair despite his protest. "You got tanned." she teased.
"Stop! My hair." Micah huffed, pushing her hand away.
Aria rushed forward and pinched his cheek. "You went to the beach and had fun without us! Unbelievable!"
"Aw, aw, it hurts," Micah said with a muffled voice.
Zhou Ruyan stood beside Albert and began talking, their eyes shifting to Micah.
Meanwhile, Darcy lingered near the edge of the group. His gaze swept over the picture-perfect family reunion in front of him, and a mocking smile flashed in his dark eyes for a moment before he blinked it away. His posture was flawless, but there was a stiffness in his shoulder, a discomfort he couldn’t quite hide.
Micah noticed. The warmth in his grin faltered. He freed himself from the Ramsy family and stood beside Darcy. Even though he was dying inside from anxiety, he still braced himself. "Darcy," he began, his voice slightly unsteady. He pointed at Elina. "Um... you remember Professor Palmer, right?" Then he gestured awkwardly toward Jacob. "This is your dad. Umm...and this is Willow, you met her at the campus before, your older sister, and this is Aria, your second sister," he said, then turned toward Albert. "And finally, your grandfather."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Micah wanted to kick himself.
The awkward way of introduction...
What was wrong with him?
What if Darcy gave him the cold shoulder and turned to leave? What if he treated the Ramsy family badly because of their fight? Shit. His stupid mouth. There were plenty of people who could’ve done the job. What was he doing jumping in like some attention seeker?
This damn big mouth!
Micah was sweating profusely while waiting for Darcy’s reaction. His gaze flickered to the black-haired man, his mouth dry.
Darcy watched Micah fidgeting, his fingers tugging at the hem of his own shirt. His dark eyes flickered before he turned fully to face the Ramsys. "Hello," he said simply, voice calm, almost formal. "Nice to meet you all."
And that was it.
The silence stretched. The tone was polite, distant like a businessman greeting clients, not a son meeting his family for the first time.
Jacob cleared his throat after a moment, trying to break the tension. He stepped forward and gave Darcy’s shoulder a friendly pat. "It’s good to have you back," he said warmly. "Come on, let’s go home. Your mum has been cooking all day to welcome you home."
"Really? Mum’s cooking is the best," Micah grinned nervously. "Darcy, you will love it. I promise..."
Meanwhile, Darcy stiffened under Jacob’s touch. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t move right away. Hearing Micah’s voice, he lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions passing in his eyes, then he spoke. "Thank you, Mr Ramsy. But I should check on my mum and sister first. Maybe another time." He cut off Micah’s rambling ruthlessly.
The refusal made all of the Ramsy members freeze. They exchanged glances.
Jacob’s hand halted mid-air before slowly lowering it. Elina’s smile faltered. Even Albert’s expression tightened, his eyes narrowing faintly.
Micah’s heart dropped. No, no, no. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. He could feel the colour drawing from his face. Darcy’s words weren’t just formal; they were cutting, deliberate. He had used "Mr Ramsy." He had rejected home.
It was all because of him. He had ruined the reunion!
He took a deep breath. "Silly me." He laughed awkwardly. "Of course. I should go too. Dad, can you drop us off there?"
"No need," Darcy interrupted. His tone was curt, clipped. "I’ll get a taxi. You should spend time with your family."
He reached for the suitcase handle and turned toward the exit.
"Wait, Darcy...." Micah’s mouth was still open, in shock.
But the other man didn’t stop. His stride was calm but unyielding, his expression unreadable.
"What was that? He just left?" Aria asked. "I couldn’t even talk to him!"
"Did we do something wrong?" Elina mumbled, frowning slightly.
Jacob sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe he was uncomfortable..."
"Well," Willow muttered. "That went... great."
But Micah couldn’t hear them anymore. The noise of the airport, the hum of people, the rolling luggage, and the announcement overhead blurred into a distant hum. His body moved before his mind did.
He dashed forward, weaving through the crowd. "Darcy, wait!"
His voice echoed faintly against the glass walls, but Darcy didn’t turn. He kept walking, suitcase wheels clattering behind him, heading for the main doors.
Micah’s pulse pounded in his ears as he ran after Darcy desperately. If Darcy walked out now, he knew he would lose him completely.
Behind him, the Ramsy family stood frozen, watching as Darcy and Micah vanished in the crowd.