Chapter 613
Chapter 613
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Chapter 613
The Miller family dining room felt more alive than usual that evening.
The chandelier cast a warm glow over the long table, its light settling gently across the neatly arranged dishes. The aroma of warm soup, roasted chicken, and freshly baked bread filled the air, wrapping the room in a comforting calm.
Eli sat between Grace and Josh. Unlike yesterday, her shoulders were no longer tense. There was still a hint of nervousness, but her expression had softened-lighter, more at ease.
Grace nudged her arm lightly. “You went with Mommy today, right?” she asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Eli gave a small nod. “Yeah p>
“How was it?” Josh cut in immediately, his eyes lighting up. “Is the school good p>
Eli hesitated for a few seconds before answering. “Um… yeah, it’s good p>
“Just good?” Josh scoffed. “That’s not very clear p>
Grace giggled. “That means she likes it. She’s just too shy to say it p>
Eli smiled faintly. “Maybe p>
At the head of the table, Nathan watched them with quiet satisfaction. “Looks like today’s visit went well,” he said, glancing at Althea, who sat calmly beside him.
Althea nodded. “Better than I expected p>
Every now and then, she made sure Daven and the children had everything they needed, her attention moving effortlessly between them.
Riana looked at Eli gently. “You seem brighter tonight p>
Eli lowered her gaze slightly. “I… feel better, GrandMom p>
Chris leaned back in his chair. “That’s good. At least we don’t have to see you looking gloomy and drained anymore p>
Felicia smiled softly. “That’s a very good sign p>
The table filled with light conversation-Grace talking excitedly about her picnic plans, Josh still complaining about physics, and Chris occasionally throwing in remarks that made everyone laugh.
Eli found herself smiling along. A few times, she even joined in-something that had felt almost impossible for her just yesterday.
But beneath it all, one thought kept circling in her mind. The decision she had to make. A few minutes passed. Dinner was nearly over when Eli finally took a quiet breath.
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“GrandDad… GrandMom…” Her voice was careful, almost hesitant.
The conversation at the table gradually faded.
Nathan turned to her. “Yes, Eli p>
Eli clasped her hands tightly in her lap. She looked at Nathan with uncertainty, but she knew-if not tonight, she didn’t know when she’d find the courage again.
“I… want to talk about something p>
Riana immediately understood the tone. She nodded gently. “We can talk after dinner p>
Eli shook her head. “I want to… talk about it now. With everyone here p>
The room fell silent. Daven, who had just finished eating, set his spoon down calmly. His gaze went straight to Eli. “Go ahead,” he said.
Eli swallowed before continuing. “I’ve been thinking about everything since this afternoon.” She slowly lifted her face. “Especially about what Mr. Daven suggested.” She paused, steadying her breath. “I want to go to that school p>
No one interrupted. Althea simply looked at her with a gentle smile.
Nathan gave a small nod. “That’s your decision p>
“Yes p>
Daven leaned back slightly in his chair. “Are you sure p>
Eli nodded, more firmly this time. “I’ll try.” There was a small pause before she added, “And… if the school has a boarding system, I don’t mind staying there p>
That made a few people exchange glances.
Grace turned to her immediately. “Boarding? You’re not going to live at home p>
Eli looked at her gently. “I’ll still come back during school breaks p>
Daven spoke then, his voice calm but firm. “You don’t have to stay there full-time p>
Eli turned toward him.
“You can follow the boarding system,” he continued, “but you’ll still need to come home at least once a
week p>
Eli blinked in surprise. “Come home p>
“Yes,” Daven said. “We want to make sure you remain under our care p>
Nathan nodded in agreement. “That’s the most reasonable arrangement p>
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Riana added softly, “This house is still your home, Eli p>
The words tightened something in Eli’s chest-not with pressure, but with warmth. “I…” Her voice trembled slightly. She lowered her gaze for a moment before continuing. “I don’t want to be a burden p>
Chris let out a quiet scoff. “Too late. You’ve been a burden since day one p>
“Chris,” Riana warned.
But he only shrugged. “I’m just being honest p>
Eli stiffened for a second, then noticed the faint smile on Chris’s face. 1
“What do you mean, Uncle Chris?” she asked softly. “Are… you uncomfortable with me being here p>
Chris looked at her casually. “What I mean is-if we were, you’d have been gone a long time ago p>
Eli fell silent.
Daven met her gaze. “Not one of us sees you as a burden p>
Nathan added, “What we’re doing is our responsibility p>
Riana gently took Eli’s hand. “And because we care about you p>
Eli’s eyes began to glisten. “I…” She stopped, trying to steady her emotions. “I don’t know what to say p>
Althea smiled faintly. “You don’t have to say anything p>
Eli shook her head. “No… I do.” She took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she said softly, but clearly. “For accepting me here p>
The room grew quiet.
“Thank you for not treating me like a stranger, even though… I really am not part of this family p>
Althea shook her head slightly but didn’t interrupt.
Eli continued, her voice softer now, but filled with sincerity. “I’ve received so much here-more than I ever imagined.” Her eyes moved from one face to another around the table,
“Care… attention… and a place to come back to p>
Her tears finally fell. “I’m truly grateful p>
No one spoke right away. But something in the room shifted-warmer, deeper.
Riana pulled Eli into a gentle embrace. “You don’t need to thank us that much p>
Nathan smiled softly. “Just prove it by becoming a better person p>
Daven looked at her steadily. “And live your life the right way from now on p>
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Eli nodded, wiping her tears. “I will p>
From the other side of the table, Grace nudged her arm lightly. “If you stay at the dorm… don’t forget to come home p>
Eli smiled faintly. “I promise p>
Josh shrugged. “And don’t forget about physics p>
Eli let out a soft laugh. “That too p>
Light laughter returned to the table. And that night, for the first time, Eli’s decision was no longer about staying out of obligation-but because she truly wanted to be there, among them.
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