When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 222

Stargaze was truly a masterpiece. It was breathtaking, somehow complementing Henrietta's casual attire without looking out of place, enhancing her beauty to an almost ethereal degree. Leticia had to admit, if there was one thing about Henrietta that made her worthy of Yosef, it was her stunning appearance. But she hadn't been wearing it before... Did Yosef have someone bring it for her to wear specifically for this dinner?

Leticia pressed her lips together and said nothing more. Besides, the kitchen had sent up a warm, soothing drink at Yosef's request, which had already improved her mood considerably. More importantly, the Stargaze necklace was a clear statement of her brother's unwavering support, and while Leticia still felt a pang of jealousy, she knew better than to provoke him further.

Artina noticed the necklace too, her eyes lighting up instantly. It was gorgeous! When would Jethro buy her a piece of jewelry like that?

Yosef led Henrietta to their seats. Ryland and Zelina sat at the head of the table, so Yosef and Henrietta took the seats of honor next to them. Though he was the head of the family, his parents were still the elders, and this was a family meal.

Everyone tacitly agreed to avoid the earlier unpleasantness.

"Henrietta, welcome home for the first time," Ryland said with a warm smile. "Yosef is the head of this family, which makes you its matriarch. From now on, the Nash family will look to the two of you for guidance."

Henrietta was taken aback. Her father-in-law was bestowing such a significant honor upon her. Zelina simply smiled and added, "That's right."

Yosef glanced at Henrietta, mouthing the words, "You've earned it."

Henrietta bit her lip, her heart swelling with emotion. "Thank you, Dad, Mom. I will do my best."

"Don't feel pressured," Zelina said gently. "A home should be a place of comfort and ease."

The warmth of their acceptance was almost overwhelming. Henrietta nodded emphatically, unable to say more.

Jethro and Leticia remained silent, accepting the declaration without protest. Yosef's position as the family heir had been decided at birth, and there was nothing to dispute.

Only then did Ryland turn his attention to Artina. "And welcome to you as well, Ms. Harmon. Please, let's eat."

His tone was polite but distant, a mere formality before moving on. The more prominent the family, the more important it was to maintain a facade of civility. They didn't dwell on petty arguments or expose their true feelings.

Besides, due to Henrietta's fall, dinner had been delayed, and it was nearly eight o'clock. Everyone was hungry. The conversation died down as they began to eat. Ryland had the staff pour wine for his sons, and the three men began to drink together. A few glasses in, the tension between Yosef and Jethro dissipated. For men, especially brothers, there was little that couldn't be solved over a drink.

"Artina, let's eat first," Jethro added. "We can talk later."

But Artina either didn't understand the hints to drop it or was determined to have her moment. She picked up her glass of juice. "Henrietta, whether you forgive me or not, I want to make a toast to you. It's just juice, not wine."

Henrietta frowned. She wasn't blind. Of course she knew it was juice; she'd been drinking it all evening.

Artina looked at her with wide, pleading eyes, as if she were terrified. "So, will you drink with me?" She stood up, holding her glass out, trying to clink it against Henrietta's.

Henrietta's head throbbed with irritation, and her expression turned to ice. She could tolerate Leticia's attitude, but there was one line she would not cross: she would never accept a toast from Artina. It didn't matter if it was juice or wine. The thought of what was growing inside Artina's belly made Henrietta's stomach churn with disgust.

To everyone else, however, Artina's gesture seemed perfectly reasonable. It was only juice, after all. If Henrietta refused now, she would be the one who looked unreasonable.

But Henrietta didn't care about appearances. This was her breaking point. She would rather die than accept a toast from Artina. She lowered her gaze, her voice cold and sharp, devoid of any pretense of politeness. "Don't. Let's not engage in this disgusting charade. It's not appropriate for us."