Chapter 133
Elodie’s POV~
On Friday night, after work, I drove back to Dante’s villa to pick up Liora.
I was surprised to find him home. It was rare for him to be there this early, usually, he should have still being at the office or out somewhere with Sienna.
He was on the phone when I walked in. His eyes flicked toward me briefly, acknowledging my presence, then he turned away and continued his conversation.
The housekeeper approached me, her expression warm. “Madam, I’ve prepared dinner for you and Miss Liora before you leave p>
I shook my head. “No need. We’ll eat at the Miller house. But thank you p>
She hesitated, glancing toward Dante like she needed his permission to accept my refusal.
Dante, still on his call, pulled the phone away from his mouth just long enough to say, “Listen to Madam p>
Then he went right back to his conversation.
I nodded to the housekeeper and turned to Liora. “Let’s go, sweetheart p>
“Okay!” Liora grabbed her bag and waved enthusiastically at Dante. “Bye, Dad! See you tomorrow p>
Dante waved back, his expression softening just slightly. “Bye, sweetheart p>
I didn’t say anything to him. Didn’t acknowledge him at all.
I just took Liora’s hand and left.
Dante didn’t seem to notice. He just stood there, the phone still pressed to his ear, watching us walk out the door.
My grandmother’s birthday party was going to be a grand affair.
When we arrived at the Miller house, the place was already buzzing with activity. Caterers were setting up tables, florists were arranging centerpieces, and my uncle Jason was directing traffic like a seasoned general.
After dinner, I helped with the preparations, folding napkins, arranging place cards, making sure everything was perfect.
By the time I finished, it was past eleven.
I collapsed into bed exhausted, but my mind was still racing.
Tomorrow had to go well. It had to.
The next morning, I woke up early.
Before breakfast, the family gathered around my grandmother to offer our birthday congratulations and present our gifts.
My uncle went first, handing over a beautifully wrapped box. Then his wife. Then my cousins, Xavier and Hugo, who’d clearly put thought into their presents.
When it was my turn, I stepped forward with the lacquered wooden box containing the scholar’s tools I’d found at the antique market.
My grandmother’s eyes lit up the moment she opened it. Her hands trembled slightly as she lifted one of the brushes, running her fingers over the carved jade handle.
“Elodie,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “This is exquisite p>
I smiled. “I’m glad you like it, Grandmother p>
She reached out and squeezed my hand, her eyes shining. “I love it. Thank you p>
Then it was Liora’s turn.
I glanced at her, expecting her to step forward with whatever small gift she’d prepared.
But she just stood there, frozen.
Then she tugged on my sleeve.
I bent down, putting my ear closer. “What’s wrong p>
She looked embarrassed, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Mom… I didn’t prepare a gift p>
I felt something cold settle in my chest.
She hadn’t prepared a gift.
For her great-grandmother’s seventieth birthday.
She looked up at me, her expression shifting from embarrassment to mild accusation. “Why didn’t you remind me p>
I straightened, keeping my voice even. “I prepared gifts from your father and from Nonna. But you’re still a child, so it’s okay if you didn’t bring one. Just make sure you remember next time p>
My tone was calm. But inside, I was screaming.
Because I hadn’t reminded her on purpose.
Not because I wanted to embarrass her. But because I wanted to see if she’d remember on her own.
If she cared enough to remember.
And she hadn’t.
It wasn’t that she didn’t have time. She could’ve drawn a picture. Made a card. Asked me to stop somewhere yesterday so she could pick out something small.
But she hadn’t thought of it at all.
Yet when it came to Sienna’s birthday, Liora had counted down the days. Had planned her gift weeks in advance. Had been excited about it.
So I knew it wasn’t that she didn’t understand the concept of giving gifts.
It was that she didn’t care enough about this grandmother to bother.
And that hurt more than I wanted to admit.
Liora didn’t notice the coldness in my expression. The moment I told her it was okay, relief washed over her face, and she relaxed.
After Jason presented his gift to my grandmother, I stepped forward with mine.
The first one I handed over was the embroidered scroll. “This was prepared by Nonna for you, with Dante’s help p>
My grandmother carefully unwrapped it, her fingers gentle on the silk. She studied it for a long moment, her eyes tracing the beautiful stitching, and a soft smile spread across her face. “She’s thoughtful p>
I reached for the second box. “And this is from Dante p>
The emerald jewelry set gleamed under the morning light as she opened it. The stones were flawless, vibrant green against the velvet lining.
My grandmother looked at it briefly, her expression polite but was still distant. Then she closed the box with a soft click and set it aside.
“Very beautiful,” she said, her tone carefully neutral. “Thank him on my behalf p>
She didn’t ask if Dante was coming to the party. Didn’t ask why he wasn’t here. Didn’t even pretend to care.
She couldn’t be bothered.
And honestly? I didn’t blame her.
In the past, I would’ve jumped to his defense. Would’ve made excuses for him, tried to smooth things over, tried to make everyone believe that he was a good man, a good husband, that he was just… busy.
But not today.
Today, I said nothing.
Instead, I reached into my bag and pulled out the lacquered wooden box containing the scholar’s tools I’d chosen myself.
“And this,” I said quietly, “is from me p>
My grandmother opened it slowly, and the moment she saw what was inside, her entire face transformed.
Her eyes went wide. Her hands trembled as she lifted one of the brushes, turning it over carefully, reverently, like it was made of glass.
“Elodie Her voice cracked. “This is… this is extraordinary p>
I smiled. “I thought you’d like it p>
She set the brush down gently and pulled me into a tight hug, her small frame surprisingly strong. “I don’t just like it, sweetheart. I love it. Thank you p>
I hugged her back, my throat tight.
Of all the gifts she’d received today, this was the one she cherished most.
Not the expensive embroidery. Not the flawless emeralds.
But the one I’d chosen. The one I’d searched for. The one that came from me p>
And that felt like a victory.
After the gift exchange, we gathered for breakfast.
The table was full with uncle Jason, his wife, Xavier, Hugo, Liora, my grandmother, and me. The conversation flowed easily, our laughter punctuating the clatter of dishes and the clink of teacups.
My grandmother smiled brightly, her happiness entirely genuine.
But every now and then, I caught a flicker of sadness in her eyes. A shadow that passed over her face when she thought no one was looking.
Uncle Jason saw it too. I could tell by the way his jaw tightened, the way his gaze lingered on her just a little too long.
Because today was a family reunion.
But it was missing someone. My mother.
I turned my face away, blinking rapidly, willing the tears not to fall.
No one mentioned her. We all silently agreed not to. Because bringing her up would shatter the fragile joy we’d managed to build this morning.
So we smiled. We laughed and we pretended.
By nine o’clock, the next wave of guests began arriving, friends of the family, business associates, people who mattered.
The birthday banquet would officially begin tonight at the hotel we’d reserved, but people were already stopping by to pay their respects.
I moved through the house, greeting guests, making small talk, playing the part of the dutiful granddaughter.
That’s when I noticed Liora. She was sitting on the couch, staring off into space, her expression distant.
Hugo noticed too. He walked over and gently patted her cheek, his voice kind. “Liora, what’s wrong? You seem a little distracted p>
Liora blinked, pulled out of whatever thought she’d been lost in, and looked up at him.
Then she glanced toward the door.
And I knew.