Chapter 273

The Hartwell family never stayed up late for the Lumina Festival celebrations. By the time Camille and the others returned home, Marianne had already gone to bed.

As Camille climbed the stairs, the grandfather clock chimed midnight.

Her phone had been buzzing incessantly.

Gabriel, Tristan, and several colleagues from NovaSight Labs had sent Lumina Festival wishes, including Dorian and Hugh.

She responded to each message, even Tristan's, before sending her own greetings to Graham and Elise.

Just then, Dorian texted again, asking if she was free in the coming days. He mentioned being swamped with work previously and wanting to properly thank her over dinner now that he had time.

After finishing her conversation with Dorian, Camille placed her phone aside and headed for the shower.

Visiting Audrey always brought pain to the Hartwell family.

Yet how could they not go on such an important day?

Every year on the first morning of Lumina Festival, Camille and Marianne would prepare an elaborate meal, pack it carefully, and deliver it to the nursing home.

This tradition remained unchanged.

So on the first Lumina Festival morning, Camille rose early.

Marianne, Owen, and Talia were already downstairs when she descended.

Seeing her, both Marianne and Talia handed her gift boxes.

Marianne gently cupped Camille's face with warm hands. "May this year bring you nothing but happiness, my dear."

"Thank you, Grandma."

After breakfast, Camille and Talia began preparing ingredients in the kitchen.

Though both Marianne and Owen were excellent cooks, only Talia could prepare Audrey's meals. Audrey could always detect who had cooked the food, which often triggered emotional distress.

For years, this responsibility had fallen solely to Talia.

When Camille learned to cook, they began sharing the task.

Truthfully, Camille had wanted to learn cooking since childhood - for Audrey's sake.

But Marianne wouldn't allow it.

Marianne believed Camille was too young. Learning to cook for Audrey would mean shouldering that burden prematurely.

Camille's childhood had been difficult enough. Marianne wanted her to experience as much joy as possible without being constantly anchored to the past.

Two hours later, the dining table overflowed with dishes.

Noah and Isaac helped pack everything.

Armed with Lumina Festival gifts, the six of them set out for the nursing home.

They'd also prepared small presents for Audrey's caretakers.

Audrey remained as fragile as ever, her gaze vacant.

Camille, Marianne and the others stood where Audrey couldn't see them, watching as she showed no reaction to the gifts the nurses presented on their behalf.

A nurse placed Marianne's carefully prepared gift box in Audrey's hands, but she barely noticed. After a brief glance, she let it fall to the floor as if it meant nothing.

Her appetite remained minimal. Despite the feast spread before her, she showed no interest. Only when the nurse spooned bites into her bowl did she eat.

After tasting just a few dishes, she withdrew into her own world again.

The nurse sighed and began clearing the table.

Camille's eyes burned, but she held back tears, not wanting to upset the others.

Though in truth, they all felt the same.

After thirty minutes, they left.