Chapter 1

By evening, the wonderful smell of cooking wafted from the kitchen. Lionel brought out the seafood stew. "I just learned this recipe. Tell me what you think!"

Miranda looked at the table laden with her favorite foods: mashed potatoes with bacon bits, a garden salad, grilled sea bass, seafood stew, and meatballs in bolognese sauce.

Mindy dished the tenderest part of the grilled fish onto Miranda's plate. "Your dad's terrible at grilling fish, but I tasted this, and it's exactly how you like it. Here, have some more."

Lionel didn't look happy. "What do you mean? I'm not terrible at cooking fish! I'm human; everyone makes mistakes!"

Miranda burst out laughing.

Mindy nodded sarcastically. "Of course, your culinary skills are out of this world! It doesn't matter what you cook; you somehow make it work. Happy now?"

"That's more like it," Lionel said. "Zion from next door learned a few recipes from me yesterday! Be grateful I do all the cooking."

"Alright, alright. I'll enjoy it. Hurry up and eat so you'll stop talking!"

"You're brushing me aside," Lionel grumbled. "Ask Mimi. My cooking is amazing, right?"

Lionel served Miranda more grilled fish. "More food, Mimi. What do you think of my fish?"

Miranda smiled, listening to her parents' banter. She took a bite, marveling at the fish's natural sweetness.

Chapter 2

Lionel knew Miranda disliked heavily seasoned grilled fish, so he used only salt and pepper. Just before removing it from the pan, he basted it with butter and served it immediately. This preserved and enhanced the fish's natural sweetness without adding too many other flavors.

As far as Miranda could remember, Mindy rarely cooked. Lionel was the main chef.

Every day after school, Miranda waited for Lionel in the staff room. When he finished work, she rode on the back of his bicycle as they went home together, passing the farmers' market. Lionel knew everyone there.

Mindy, however, never bought groceries from the farmers' market. She thought it was hot, noisy, and didn't know how to choose good produce. Her culinary strengths were limited to grilled sea bass and omelets—two of Miranda's favorites, which Mindy had learned to make.

Despite her poor cooking skills, Mindy criticized Lionel's cooking. Ironically, her comments fueled his desire to improve, honing his skills and making him a true chef.

After Miranda left home, Hansel was her only companion. She cooked, cleaned, and prepared everything for him.

Previously, her father did the cooking; Miranda only enjoyed the food. Now, she was back home, her parents treating her exactly as before, reminding her of their love and care.

"I haven't had this in a long time. Dad's sea bass is the best I'll ever have; even a five-star restaurant couldn't compare!"

Lionel was overjoyed, feeling proud and emotional. "I'll make it for you again anytime."

Miranda suppressed tears, smiling and humming.

After dinner, Mindy arranged fruit she'd bought that afternoon on a plate. Finding Lionel and Miranda in the yard, she joined them.

The sky had darkened early, dimming the yard. The fire crackled, casting a warm glow. Miranda sat close to the fireplace.

Mindy sat beside her and offered the fruit. "Our strawberries are ripe. Big, juicy, and sweet. You loved them as a child. Try some."

Water droplets clung to the strawberries. Miranda could almost taste their sweetness.