Chapter 100
ELODIE’S POV~
Grandma Miller’s voice was warm on the other end of the line. “Your uncle is back. Brought some gifts for you. Do you have time to come over for a meal p>
I glanced at Nonna, who was watching me with curious eyes.
“I’m with Liora at the old house right now,” I said.
Nonna had mentioned earlier that she wanted us to stay at the manor. She wanted us to pick fruits in the garden. And spend time together.
Grandma Miller persisted to see us while trying to give other reasons. Nonna who was busy trying to pick up some fruits right over the table, pretended not to be invested in the discussion going over the phone call between grandma and I. Her face was blank.
But when she heard why Grandma Miller was calling, her expression softened. After the call ended, Nonna looked at me.
“Then take Liora and go,” Nonna said warmly. Then she turned to Dante. “And you, it’s been a long time since you visited Grandma Miller. Since you have free time today, why don’t you go with Elodie p>
I didn’t look at him.
I didn’t need to.
“I have something to do later p>
There it was.
No hesitation. No apology. Just that flat refusal I was used to.
I kept my face still. No surprise. No disappointment written on my features.
Why would I be surprised?
This was the pattern. The routine of Alpha Dante Wilson.
Dante never had time for anything involving me. Never had time for my family, my obligations, my life.
But for Sienna? He always found time.
Always. Every single time.
Nonna’s face darkened. “What could possibly be so important that you haven’t p>
“Nonna p>
I interrupted before she could continue.
My voice was calm when I called her.
“It’s fine. Since Dante has things to do, Liora and I will go alone p>
Nonna looked at me. Something pained flickered in her eyes.
She thought I was being considerate again. Thought I was protecting Dante from pressure, the way I always had.
That wasn’t it. It was no longer that.
I just didn’t reall care anymore.
What was the point of forcing him to come? So he could sit there in silence, counting the minutes until he could leave? So I could watch him check his phone for messages from Sienna?
No.
I was done.
“Elodie Nonna started.
I smiled gently, giving her my empty smile. Really, Nonna. It’s fine p>
She sighed and then let it go.
After breakfast, I spent some time chatting with Nonna. Keeping things light and normal, anything that would make her not bring up the issues between Dante and I.
Then it was time to leave.
Nonna had prepared gifts. Lots of them. Boxes and bags piled by the front door.
“For Grandma Miller,” she said. “And for Helen. And for your uncle p>
“Nonna, this is too much p>
“Take them.” Her voice was firm as she placed a soft hand on my shoulder. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen them. The least I can do is send gifts p>
I couldn’t refuse. I threw her a smile small and nodded.
Dante hadn’t left yet. He stood with Nonna by the door as Liora and I prepared to go.
Liora ran over to him, and wrapped her small arms around his leg. “Daddy, are you coming home tonight p>
He rubbed her head gently. “I will p>
Such a simple gesture. Such easy affection. For her.
Never for me.
There was no communication between us. No goodbye said. No single acknowledgment between us.
Just silence.
After Liora got in the car, I waved to Nonna and smiled.
Then got in and drove away.
In the rearview mirror, I could see them. Dante and Nonna, standing together, watching the car disappear down the driveway.
She looked concerned.
He looked like nothing at all.
The drive to Grandma Miller’s house wasn’t long.
When we pulled into the small courtyard, she was already outside, waiting for us.
Aunt Helen was with her, who’d practically raised me after Mom left.
They both came forward as I parked.
Grandma Miller’s face brightened when she saw Liora scramble out of the car. “There’s my great-granddaughter p>
Liora ran into her arms. “Great-grandma p>
I stayed back to pop the trunk.
Grandma Miller’s expression shifted when she saw what was inside. All the gift boxes. Bags. They were enough to fill half the living room.
“Why did you bring so many things?” she asked, frowning.
“Nonna asked me to bring them for you p>
The mention of Nonna made something flicker across Grandma Miller’s face.
Since my marriage to Dante, the relationship between the two grandmothers had… cooled.
They used to be close. Best friends, almost.
But Grandma Miller had watched me suffer in this marriage. Had watched Dante neglect me year after year. Had seen the light slowly drain from my eyes.
And she blamed the Wilsons.
All of them.
She snorted and then said nothing.
Aunt Helen stepped in, smoothing things over. “Well, let’s get these inside. Liora, sweetheart, come help carry the small ones, okay p>
Liora nodded eagerly. “Okay p>
We began to haul everything into the house.
I noticed the villa across from Grandma Miller’s was being renovated.
Workers were moving around and tools were loudly clanging. The whole place was surrounded by scaffolding.
“Is someone moving in?” I asked, grateful for the change in subject.
Grandma Miller followed my gaze. “Seems like it. It started last week. From what the workers say, the owner’s in a rush.” She shook her head. “They’ve almost finished in just a few days. Won’t be long before someone’s living there p>
This neighborhood was old. Everyone had been here for decades. Here was filled with familiar faces. Familiar routines.
A new neighbor was unusual.
Aunt Helen came out carrying some of the gift bags. “I hope whoever it is will be easy to get along with p>
The unspoken worry hung in the air. If they were difficult people, life here could get complicated.
Inside, Aunt Helen set a bowl of bird’s nest soup in front of me. The steam was curling up. It looked rich and golden.
“Your mom mentioned you’ve been looking tired lately,” she said gently. “I had someone save some top-quality bird’s nest for me. I’ll send some back with you to take home p>
I wrapped my hands around the warm bowl, grateful. “Thank you, Aunt p>
The taste was familiar and comforting.
Like being taken care of. Like being loved.
Uncle Jason didn’t get home until dinner.
Seeing him walk through the door brought a wave of guilt I’d been trying to push down for days now.
The last time, when Johnny had stood up for me, when Sienna had been blocked from joining Cole because of it, Dante had retaliated. He made sure Uncle Jason lost a project he’d been counting on.
It was my fault. All of it.
“Uncle,” I said quietly when we had a moment alone. “I’m sorry. About what happened before p>
He waved a hand casually and dismissively.
“It’s in the past. I told you already, even without the Brown family, Miller Corporation couldn’t have handled that project. Our situation isn’t what it used to be.” He shrugged. “Don’t blame yourself p>
He said it like it didn’t matter.
But I knew better.
This was something Grandma Wilson could never find out. If she knew Dante had helped Sienna target my family, he had used his power to hurt us, she’d be furious.
Uncle Jason saw Grandma Miller approaching. He nudged me subtly.
‘Stop talking about it p>
I understood and immediately changed the subject.
“Next month is your birthday, Grandma,” I said. “Your seventieth. We should do something special. Really for you p>
Uncle Jason nodded. “Absolutely. It’s a milestone p>
Grandma Miller made a face. “Don’t bother with all that fuss. Just a meal together would be fine p>
Aunt Helen shook her head. “Seventy is important. We should celebrate properly p>
“She’s right,” I added.
Grandma Miller looked between us. It was clearly she was being outnumbered right now.
Finally, she sighed. “Fine. If it makes you all happy p>
I smiled. Genuinely this time.
This was something I could do. Something good.
I would plan a celebration. Make her happy.
Something that had nothing to do with Dante or Sienna or the mess my life had become.
After dinner, I drove Liora back to the villa.
She’d been happy all day, playing with Grandma Miller, eating sweets with Aunt Helen, being spoiled by everyone.
But as we pulled up to the house, her mood shifted.
She scrambled out of the car, ready to run inside.
I stayed in my seat.
“Liora p>
She stopped and turned back.
“Take a shower and go to bed early, okay?” I kept my voice light. Normal. “Mommy has some things to do. I won’t be coming upstairs tonight p>
Her face fell.
“Huh?” She frowned, walking back toward the car. “You have things to do again p>
The disappointment in her voice was a blade between my ribs.
But I kept my expression calm.
“Mm. Just focus on your studies. Call me if you need anything p>
She pouted. Clearly unhappy.
But then she sighed. “Okay p>
She was used to this.
Dante was always busy with work, always gone. And now I was doing the same thing.
She probably thought it was just our jobs. Never suspected anything else.
Never knew how broken everything really was.
The butler appeared at the front door, ready to greet us.
Liora looked up at him. “Is Daddy home p>
His face brightened. “Yes, Miss. He just got back p>
I didn’t react. I didn’t feel anything.
“Okay.” Liora turned to me. “Bye, Mom p>