In the living room, Hughes dialed Ridley's number and spilled everything about how Ana had tormented Aileen.
Ridley was stunned that Ana would still dare to mess with Aileen, even while locked up. He backed Hughes's call to starve Ana for the day and told him he'd be home for lunch.
Hearing Ridley was coming back lit up Aileen's face. "Hughes, it's been ages since I've cooked for you, hasn't it? Let me make lunch for you and your dad today."
Hughes wavered, his gut reaction to say no. Aileen's cooking couldn't hold a candle to his mother's. But he didn't want to crush her feelings, so he forced out a grin. "Sounds great!"
Aileen ruffled Hughes's hair with a warm smile before heading into the kitchen.
Watching her go, Hughes couldn't stop himself from thinking about Ana bustling around that same kitchen. Sure, he hated when Ana bossed him around, but damn if she didn't know how to cook. Every meal she made left him feeling completely looked after.
