116|Three Oaks—Part 2

Sitting at a small round dining table in front of a window overlooking the horse stables, Lionel and Danica immediately burst into tears when they saw Marybeth, their tearful wailing reverberating through the room.

"You're both acting like you haven't seen me in ages," she scolded them as she wiped her father's tears before doing the same to Danica. "Seriously, it's only been a week."

"A week too long, if you ask me, Sweet Pea," said Lionel as he took her in his arms again and held her tight.

When they finally drew apart, Marybeth couldn't help but notice he'd lost a lot more weight since she last saw him. He was practically drowning in the pale blue button-down shirt and dark cotton slacks he wore.

Danica looked just as awful, and Marybeth didn't know what was worse: the raccoon-like circles around her eyes, her brittle hair falling limply around her gaunt face, or her bony frame protruding through her cheap satin pyjamas.

Aware that she was staring, Marybeth averted her gaze and sca