It has been almost three and a half weeks since that disastrous dinner with Daphne's family. I was still in disbelief at how her own Mother and her sister could say those things to her without even blinking an eye. It broke my heart seeing Daphne cry that night after she heard what they had said. I didn't want to see her like that ever again. Daphne and I agreed to not bring it up again. I knew she was still hurt and affected by it because she has been a little distant and withdrawn these days. I've noticed that her eating habits are becoming a little bad. She's starting to eat less and less which is dangerous and she's always denying that she is hungry when I know she is. I have tried to talk to her about it, but she brushes me off and says that she's fine which I know isn't true at all. I wish I knew how to make her feel better. I can't stand to see her like this.

The door to my office opens causing me to break out of my thoughts. I looked up to see an unknown man walking.

"Are you Samuel Zhāng?" He asked.

"I'm Chad Gaines. Daphne'a older brother," He replied.

"Sir, I am so sorry. I will call security right away," Bridgette burst into the room.

"No it's fine, Bridgette. Get back to work," I assured her. She nods then leaves. I stood up and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you. Daphne told me all about you," I tell him.

"Good things I hope," He smiled a little.

"I'm pretty sure that setting her Barbie dolls on fire in the backyard wouldn't qualify as a good thing," I joked. He chuckled.

"She told you about that?" He asked.

"Yes she did," I smiled.

"I did it one time and she still hasn't gotten over it," He laughed.

"One time? She said that you did it twice," I added laughing as well.

"It was only because she broke two sets of drumsticks in half," He chuckled. We both laughed before calming down.

"I have one question and I apologize if I sound rude, but how did you find where I worked?" I asked.

"I actually went to see Daphne earlier and she told me where this building was. I came down here as soon as possible because of Sidney's wedding and because of Daphne mostly," He explained.

"Oh," I nodded.

"I apologize for my Mother and Sidney. Those two have always been on some other stuff," He sighed. I nodded in understanding.

"It's quite alright, but I am really worried about Daphne," I truthfully stated.

"Has she been alright since that happened?" He asked.

"She claims that she is, but I know she isn't. She's been eating a little less than usual, she'll sometimes deny that she is hungry, and she's become distant and withdrawn," I explained.

"This kind of thing hasn't happened in years. Our mother did something like this when Daphne started middle school and high school. She did have a few friends through those years, but whenever our Mother would say something about her weight to the point of where she would practically ball her eyes out, she became withdrawn and distant. She lost her friends just like that and she just isolated herself. Regina, Chastity, Marcela, and I tried for years to get her out of her shell, but she just wouldn't budge," He explained.

"Has anyone ever said anything to your mother?" I asked.

"Our dad did until he died, but other than that, no," He shook his head.

"Did this also happen in college too?" I queried.

"No it didn't. Thankfully," He answered.

"Has your Mother ever apologized to her?" I asked.

"No," He shook his head.

"Why not?" I inquired.

"She claims that she's only trying to help, but her help is affecting Daphne in a bad way," He explained.

"Oh," I nodded.

"Have you talked to her at all since the incident?" He asked me.

"I do, but she's withdrawn," I answered.

"I guess our Mother's words really cut deep again," He sighed.

"Yeah they did," I frowned.

"Just try to be there for her during her time of need. That is all me and three other sisters are asking you to do. You seem like a nice and honest man with a good head on his shoulders. I feel like I can already trust you," He tells me.

"Thank you and don't worry. I'll be there for her no matter what may happen," I replied. He smiled with a nod before standing up.

"I must go. The Evil Queen has requested my presence," He muttered. I chuckled softly.

"Don't let me keep you," I tell him as we stood up. We both walked out of my office and towards the elevator.

"It was nice talking to you, Samuel," He held out his hand.

"You too," I shook his hand.

"I hope to see you at our sister's wedding," He patted my shoulder with his other arm.

"I will be there for sure," I said.

"Great. See ya," He gets on the elevator. Once the doors close, I walked back to my office and I got out my phone. I called Daphne. I waited for her to pick up and when she did, she answered on the fourth ring.

"Hey, Samuel," She greeted with a shaky voice.

"Daphne, do you mind if I come over tonight?" I asked.

"Oh no. I don't, Samuel," She replied.

"Good," I smiled faintly.

"How was work?" She asked.

"Same as usual. Meetings, looking over files, and approving some things," I answered.

"That must be so....so....so....so....." She said, "....boring." I laughed softly.

"It's called being top dog around this building," I replied.

"Well being top dog sounds boring," She tells me.

"Hey. Not everyone can be a freelance writer that works from home for Cosmopolitan," I said.

"No they cannot," I heard the smile in her voice.

"So I received a visit from your brother today," I informed her.

"You did?" She asked.

"Mhm. He's a really nice guy," I responded.

"What did you guys talk about?" She asked.

"Your embarrassing childhood moments," I joked.

"Ha ha. Very funny," She sarcastically said. I smiled in amusement.

"How have you been today?" I asked.

"I slept in all day, finished an article or two, fed Cristian, watched Netflix, and took a nap on the couch," She informed me.

"Did you eat today?" I worriedly questioned.

"Umm...y-yeah. I did," She lied.

"Daphne," I softly said, "You have to eat."

"Samuel, I'm-"

"Don't you finish that sentence, Daphne. Just don't. You are not fine because if you were then you wouldn't even be practically starving yourself," I said.

"Samuel, I need to lose a little weight. Many be my Mother had a point," She tells me. My heart broke after hearing her saying that.

"Daphne, you-"

"Look, Samuel. Just drop it okay. Just drop it," She shakily said before hanging up. I set my phone down and plopped into my desk chair. I leaned forward and placed my face into my hands. It really did break my heart to have to hear her say something like that. All I can do now is try to be there for her because simply talking to her is not even helping at all.