Chapter 33

Joseph Lachlan

I observed the lively scene in my living room, where the laughter of three women echoed against the walls as they clinked their glasses. It was a mystery to me how my mom, Judith, and my wife had suddenly become the best of friends.

Emerging from the kitchen, I addressed the giggling trio, "Alright, ladies, I get it, you had a blast at the party and there's juicy gossip to share. But let's save some of that for the morning, shall we? It's past 1 am, and you all need your beauty sleep." I offered my hand to my mom, helping her up from the couch.

"Alright, I'll turn in now. But I love you girls. I wish I had a daughter," My mom expressed, affectionately patting Judith and Mary's heads before giving me a pat on the head and heading to her room.

Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I pulled Mary up to her feet from the couch so I could transform it into a makeshift bed for Judith. "Come on, Mary, you need to get some sleep as well," I said, gently coaxing her up w