Even the Patriarch couldn't resist offering his advice as an elder. "You rascal," he said with a stern yet caring tone, "make sure you don't let your wife overexert herself. It's your duty to protect her and the baby!"
Kisha felt as though she'd been struck by lightning upon hearing the Patriarch's unexpected comment. Her head buzzed as she blinked in disbelief. Mrs. Winters quickly cleared her throat, stepping in to offer Kisha and her son an exit from the awkward situation, clearly taken aback by her father-in-law's public declaration.
Kisha looked at Duke incredulously, wondering if he had somehow spread the news as soon as he came downstairs that morning. But she quickly dismissed the thought—Duke wasn't the type to do that. Or at least, she used to think so. She started to question her understanding of him, feeling as if she were meeting a new side of Duke every time they interacted.
