Miranda barely had time to process her surroundings before Ophelia Shelton enveloped her in an unexpected embrace. The warmth of the welcome caught Miranda off guard, Nolan's mother holding her with a gentleness that felt strangely maternal.
"Miranda, darling," Ophelia said, drawing back but keeping Miranda's hands in her own, her eyes assessing Miranda with genuine concern. "I've been so looking forward to meeting you properly, though I wish the circumstances were better." She curved an arm around Miranda's back supportively.
Before Miranda could formulate a response, Xander Shelton stepped forward. His presence commanded attention like his son's did, though it lacked Nolan's intimidating edge.
"You've given everyone quite a fright," he remarked, his shrewd gaze shifting toward Nolan. "I assume you're taking care of this situation?"
"It's under control," Nolan replied with a terse nod.
