Nesah's sour expression... soured. Ruth? What on earth was Ruth still doing here? And more importantly, was she still staying at Zech's? Zech she could deal with. Between work, barber visits, and bullying the maid, he barely had time to notice his sister. But Ruth had been the one sibling she was most intimidated by, the one sibling she knew she couldn't play tricks on and win. The sibling most likely to see through any act she put up.

She tried to smile, but frankly, she was too exhausted to even fake excitement at seeing her sister. "Hello Ruth, I didn't expect you here..." she said, ignoring the jab. She snapped head and voice at the porter: "Careful with that top box!" Then she turned back to her sister. "The carriage will do. Are you still staying at Zech's?"

She hoped Zech would be comfortable on the sofa. And that this time it would not break mid-use.