But after all, she was a mother. At this moment, if she showed support for the younger daughter Clara and the elder son-in-law Harry's illicit relationship, it would be unacceptable. So Hazel had no choice but to pretend she knew nothing, to pretend she had seen nothing, and let the relationship between the elder son-in-law and the younger daughter develop naturally.
"Mom? You... you didn't see just now?..." This time, Clara was completely bewildered. Her mother's reaction really seemed as if she hadn't seen anything.
But Clara was absolutely certain that her mother had indeed seen it.
"See what?" Hazel continued to play dumb, acting utterly confused.
Clara, still unwilling to let it go, pressed further, "Just now... I was in brother-in-law's study... brother-in-law was holding me..."
Seeing her daughter being so persistent, Hazel couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. 'This younger daughter just doesn't understand propriety. Why must she insist on spelling it out?'
Hazel sighed inwardly helplessly, then smiled and said, "What happened in the study? You two are family now, just like your relationship with Wanda. Seeing you and your brother-in-law so close makes me happy. Our family being harmonious and joyful together is wonderful."
Hearing her mother say this, Clara was even more stunned!
Clara could hardly believe her ears. She even wondered if she had misheard.
Her domineering, strict, stern, and authoritative mother actually had this kind of attitude toward the matter?
'Does mom mean that my intimacy with brother-in-law is a good thing? Not only does she not mind, but she's even happy about it??
Does mom really think my relationship with brother-in-law is just sibling affection??'
Clara had originally planned to use sibling affection as an excuse to explain their closeness to her mother Hazel. But before she could even say it, her mother had already provided the explanation for her.
This left Clara completely at a loss.
"Alright, alright! Stop standing around looking so confused. You're in the way. Get out and go play!"
Hazel waved her hand dismissively, pushing Clara away as she bent down to take a basin out of the cabinet.
"Oh... then I'll go... Mom... thank you for your hard work!" Clara let out a relieved sigh, her furrowed brows instantly relaxing as she happily dashed out.
"What's up with Clara? Did mom scold you? How are you still so happy?"
At that moment, Clara happened to run into Harry and Wanda, who were coming downstairs together. Seeing Clara in such high spirits, Wanda immediately glanced nervously at Hazel, who was busy cooking in the kitchen, and asked with a sly smile, "Cough... sis... it's... it's nothing... Mom said I don't have to cook anymore. I'm free!"
Guilty as a thief, Clara felt a pang of guilt the moment she saw her sister Wanda. Coughing awkwardly, she quickly explained.
"You lazy girl, look at you. You can't even cook properly. What are you going to do when you marry into another family? How will you handle your mother-in-law?"
Wanda scolded Clara half-jokingly, her tone lecturing but affectionate.
"I'm not getting married!"
Clara stole a glance at Harry and declared firmly, "I'll stay at home just like you, never getting married! Why do you get to stay at home while I have to marry out?"
"Oh? If you can find a husband as good as mine, willing to live with our family, your brother-in-law and I wouldn't mind."
Wanda gazed lovingly at Harry, snuggling into his arms as she spoke blissfully.
Seeing her sister and brother-in-law flaunt their affection, Clara's jealousy flared up. She desperately wanted to snatch Harry away from Wanda right then and there.
"Pfft! Don't think you're the only one who can find such a good husband. I'll just find one exactly the same! Hmph!~ Fine, if I can't, then I won't marry anyone. I'll stay at home and be brother-in-law's concubine!"
As Clara spoke, she accidentally blurted out her true feelings.
The moment the words left her mouth, Clara realized her mistake, her face flushing bright red.
Harry was also startled, quickly looking at Wanda nervously.
"Huh? Really? If your brother-in-law agrees, I wouldn't mind. Hahahaha... silly girl, do you think this is ancient times? With multiple wives and concubines? Stop joking around. I'm going to help mom cook."
Wanda thought Clara was just teasing, so she laughed it off.
Little did Wanda know, her words sent waves of excitement through Harry, Clara, and their mother Hazel in the kitchen.
The speaker might not have meant it, but the listeners took it to heart. Wanda's words gave all three of them hope! Their previously uneasy hearts suddenly brimmed with anticipation!
Harry and Clara exchanged glances. Though they knew Wanda was joking, they couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly excited.
Seeing Wanda's back turned to her and Harry, Clara seized the fleeting opportunity. She leaned in and planted a quick kiss on Harry's lips, then giggled and ran off like a thief.
"Who told sister to always show off about having such a good husband? Hmph! Now half of brother in law is mine! ~~Hehe! ~~"
Clara happily watched Wanda's departing figure, and Clara's inner thoughts also echoed in Harry's mind. Now, Harry was starting to grasp Clara's mindset.
On one hand, there was guilt toward her sister, on the other hand, there was a competitive, jealous mentality, like a child fighting over their favorite toy.
This was also the reason why Clara's attitude toward Harry alternated between cold and warm, distant and close.
Clara, this little girl, sometimes seemed as mature as an adult, and other times as childish as a kid. It made Harry unable to help but feel amused. It seemed like his relationship with Clara had reached the point where everything was ready, but that final step just couldn't be taken.
On one hand, it was Clara's shame toward her sister and the guilt of this incestuous sin, on the other hand, it was also Harry's own reservations.
Thinking back to the happiness and sweetness of that moment when he kissed Clara, Harry suddenly felt that this wasn't so bad.
Even if he couldn't have Clara's body, having her love was also a kind of happiness.
"I'm back! ~~" Just as Harry sat down on the living room sofa, Elena also returned from outside. Seeing Harry and second sister Clara sitting on the living room sofa exchanging flirtatious glances, Elena couldn't help but pout and walk over to Harry, plopping down beside him dejectedly.
"Elena, where did you run off to today?" Harry asked curiously, turning to look at Elena.
After the incident where she was almost kidnapped by Jian, Harry had specifically warned Elena not to go out. Yet, this little girl had run off again, which made Harry's tone carry a hint of reproach.
"Nowhere, just played at friend's house next door... Where else can I go now... I don't dare go anywhere..." Elena frowned, her lively and adorable demeanor replaced by a dispirited look that made Harry's heart ache.
"Alright, little girl, brother in law has already settled it for you! Don't worry, he won't dare harass you anymore." Harry smiled and put his arm around Elena's shoulders, whispering to her.
"Really? Brother in law, you... you really settled it? He'll listen to you? His dad is..." Elena looked at Harry excitedly, unable to believe it.
"Has brother in law ever lied to you? Last time I said I'd settle it for you, didn't I do it?" Harry confidently pinched Elena's nose, grinning proudly.
This time, the lesson he taught Margaret was not insignificant. Margaret should now properly discipline her spoiled son. With Margaret keeping him in check, Jian probably wouldn't dare act recklessly again.
"But you still need to be careful in the future. Try to avoid going to secluded places, and don't run around, understand? If anything happens or you run into trouble, you have to tell brother in law right away, got it?"
After some thought, Harry still felt uneasy. Jian was somewhat insane and capable of anything, so he added this reminder.
"Got it, brother in law. Thank you, brother in law." Elena nodded obediently, seeming much happier.
"Oh, Elena, when did you and brother in law get so close? Just a few days ago you were mocking him, and now you're as tight as real siblings?"
Clara, seeing how intimate Harry and Elena were, whispering to each other, couldn't help but feel jealous and teased Elena sarcastically.
"None of your business! Weren't you the one who used to hate brother in law? How come you're so close to him now? Pfft! If we're talking about closeness, you and brother in law are the closest!"
Elena rolled her eyes at Clara, insinuating pointedly.
"You little brat! What nonsense are you spouting?" Clara, feeling the insinuation, immediately grew flustered.
'Does Elena know about me and brother in law?' Clara thought to herself, growing even more panicked.
"Alright, alright, stop bickering. Why do you two sisters act like rivals in love?"
Harry chuckled, enjoying the sisters' jealous squabble. Though he verbally mediated, his heart was sweeter than honey.
"Dinner's ready! ~~ Clara! Come help carry the dishes!" At that moment, Hazel and Wanda had finished cooking and walked out cheerfully from the kitchen, carrying dishes.
"Coming! ~~" Clara glared fiercely at Elena before running into the kitchen, finally ending the sisters' argument.
Warren only stayed home for one day before driving back to the Guangzhou office the next day, leaving only Harry, his mother in law, and the three sisters in the house again.
Without father in law Warren around, the family became harmonious once more.
Before, Harry had felt like an outsider in the Mackerel family, but now, Warren seemed like the outsider, while Harry was the head of the household.
Sitting at the dining table together, Harry felt that the family atmosphere was becoming increasingly ambiguous and strange.