Chapter 140
Liora had noticed that her mom didn’t call her every day like before and wasn’t always asking about where she was going.
She actually liked this change in her mom.
But recently, she’d also noticed that aside from those things, her mom seemed quieter than before whenever they met.
Her mom had become more silent.
Liora was someone Elodie had raised with her own hands. Elodie knew that she wasn’t a careless person, not really.
The fact that Liora had only now realized her mom was speaking less meant she had simply gotten used to ignoring it. Used to tuning her out.
Elodie looked away, her voice soft. “Mom’s just tired p>
“Oh Liora replied quietly, her tone uncertain.
Elodie noticed that Liora seemed truly tired, so she didn’t ask any further.
The night wind today was particularly cold.
As they walked out of the hotel lobby, the biting cold wind hit them, making their faces sting with the sudden chill.
Liora clearly felt the cold and didn’t want to walk any further. She grabbed onto Elodie’s hand and buried her small face into her stomach. “It’s so cold, Mommy, hold me p>
Liora was almost six years old now, and she had grown rather heavy.
Elodie felt the strain in her arms, the ache already settling into her shoulders, but she still bent down and picked her up.
Liora wrapped her little arms around Elodie’s neck and buried her face there to shield herself from the cold.
Elodie’s clothes were soft and warm. Liora snuggled up, enjoying the warmth as she rubbed her face against her neck, her breath tickling Elodie’s skin.
Dante had a strong sense of time.
When Elodie arrived at the parking lot holding Liora, Dante’s car happened to pull in at the exact moment.
Seeing them, the car stopped right next to Elodie.
Upon seeing that Dante had arrived, Liora didn’t get out of her mother’s arms. Instead, she lowered the car window and leaned toward it, her voice now high but sweet.
She called out coquettishly to Dante inside the car, “Daddy, pick me up and take me inside p>
Dante didn’t say anything. He got out of the car smoothly and came over to pick up Liora.
Liora happily swung her little legs in Dante’s arms, giggling as she settled against his chest.
As Dante leaned in close to take Liora from her, Elodie caught a familiar scent. She recognized quickly that it was Sienna’s perfume.
Unmistakable hers.
Before, when he had sat next to her at the banquet, he didn’t have that scent.
This meant that he had likely gone to the Green family after leaving here. To her.
Elodie’s chest tightened, but her face remained perfectly composed.
Dante looked at her, his expression neutral. “It’s cold tonight. Let’s head back p>
Elodie stepped back, her voice even. “Got it p>
Liora happily called out over Dante’s shoulder, “Goodbye, Mommy p>
“Mm.” Elodie responded quietly.
Dante, holding Liora securely in his arms, turned and got into the car. Elodie didn’t wait for them to drive off. She turned and walked to where her own car was parked, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement.
She didn’t look back.
She didn’t let herself.
Behind her, Dante paused for a moment, watching her retreating figure through the rearview mirror. The way her shoulders stayed straight. The way she didn’t hesitate.
He watched until she disappeared from view.
Then he finally looked away and turned to the driver. “Drive p>
His car quickly merged into the flow of traffic, taillights disappearing into the night.
And Elodie stood alone in the cold, her breath misting in the air, her arms still aching from where Liora had been.
She waited until the sound of his car faded completely before she let herself exhale.
When Elodie was almost to her car, she heard footsteps behind her, then a voice cutting through the cold air. “Elodie p>
She didn’t turn at first, assuming it was just someone passing by. But when she heard her name again, clearer this time, she glanced back over her shoulder and saw it was Harry.
She blinked, surprised. She figured it was just coincidence, they hadn’t booked the entire hotel, after all. Maybe he had business here. Maybe he was meeting someone.
She gave him a brief nod of acknowledgment and turned back to her car, fumbling for her keys.
But when she looked up again, he was still standing there. Just… watching her.
Her brows knitted together. “Did you need something p>
Harry hesitated, like he was choosing his words carefully.
Finally, he said, “Daisy’s been asking about you. She wanted me to give you something, made me promise I’d set up a time for you two to meet. Would you be free sometime this week p>
Oh… Daisy.
Elodie’s expression softened despite herself. That little girl had been through hell, and she’d latched onto Elodie like a lifeline after the hot spring incident. She’d said Elodie reminded her of her mother, her late mother.
Elodie genuinely cared about Daisy. If it were any other situation, she’d agree without a second thought.
But meeting through *Harry*? That complicated things.
Before she could answer, Harry added, almost casually, “There’s also a business matter I wanted to discuss. I think I could be useful to your uncle’s company p>
Elodie went still.
Harry didn’t push. He just said, “No pressure. Think about it. If you’re interested, reach out whenever. I’ll make the time p>
Elodie studied him for a long moment.
She didn’t trust easily anymore. And Harry was close with Sienna and Dante, she’d seen it herself. What if this was just another setup? What if he helped Uncle Jason now, only to pull the rug out later when it benefited them?
Harry seemed to read her silence. “I keep business separate from personal drama,” he said quietly. “Whatever happens between you and them, it won’t touch what I do with your uncle. You have my word p>
Elodie met his eyes. “You’re sure about that p>
“Completely p>
She exhaled slowly. Uncle Jason’s company was struggling. Badly. If Harry was being genuine p>
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll think about it p>
“That’s all I’m asking.” Harry shifted his weight, glancing toward the hotel entrance. “It’s freezing out here. You should get inside before you catch something p>
Elodie froze.
It’s cold tonight. Let’s head back.
Dante had said almost the exact same thing not even ten minutes ago.
But the way Harry said it felt… different. Like he actually cared if she was uncomfortable. Like it wasn’t just something polite to say.
She forced herself to nod. “I’m fine. But thanks p>