Chapter 433
Chapter 433
“Dinner is ready, Miss Eli. Would you like to eat now p>
Silvia’s voice, accompanied by a soft knock on the door, made Eli flinch. She quickly slipped the box containing the watch Josh had given her under the blanket-even though Silvia might not actually come in. Still, Eli was afraid that someone might notice what she’d been doing since she entered the room.
“No!” Eli replied a little too loudly. “I’m not hungry p>
“Oh, alright then. If you want to eat later, you can reheat it first p>
“Yes, Silvia. Thank you p>
She heard Silvia’s footsteps retreating down the hall. Eli let out a breath of relief. The bedroom lights were intentionally dim. The curtains were half drawn, allowing the city lights to spill in as thin lines across the floor. She sat on the edge of the bed, her back resting against the padded headboard, her legs folded neatly beneath her. Her phone lay beside her, its screen dark-as if it, too, was waiting for her thoughts to settle.
In her other hand, she opened the watch box again and again.
The afternoon meeting replayed endlessly in her mind.
Riana Miller-the middle-aged woman with gentle, warm eyes so clearly filled with affection-had never once raised her voice while speaking to Eli. She listened attentively to everything Eli said, responding in ways that made Eli feel as though her words mattered, as though she was worth listening to.
She never said anything that felt off. Nor did she make statements that could be misunderstood. Yet Eli sensed something different-Riana’s way of listening, the way she asked questions without cornering her, the way she ended the conversation without pushing her away. There were clear boundaries in every word she spoke-firm, well kept-which made Eli restrain herself from unnecessary chatter.
But behind those boundaries, there was genuine warmth.
“If only I could sit and talk with Grandma more often,” Eli murmured softly. “It would feel so much nicer p>
She lowered her gaze to her wrist. The watch Josh had chosen sat neatly there-simple, classic, unassuming. She turned her wrist slightly, watching the faint reflection of light on its glass.
“Thank you,” she whispered, though there was no one else in the room.
Eli didn’t know why the gift felt so important. Not because of its value, but because of who had given it to her. Josh hadn’t tried to please her. It felt ordinary, almost indifferent-just a polite gesture. And somehow, that was exactly what made it feel sincere.
She picked up her phone and unlocked the screen. Her thumb moved slowly as she opened a social media app and typed a more specific name.
Josh Miller?
Too many results appeared-none she recognized. Josh… what was his full name?
Joshua M.G.
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Chapter 433
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“That’s an odd name,” Ell murmured as she shifted into a more comfortable position. The account was private. A simple profile picture. Not many posts. Basketball. Family. Nothing excessive.
“I just want to say thank you for choosing such a nice watch,” she whispered to herself.
Eli opened the message box, typed, then stopped. Deleted it. Typed again.
Thank you for the watch. I really like it.
She reread the sentence. Simple. Honest. Not excessive-and appropriate enough to send. Eli took a breath, then pressed send.
A few seconds passed. No reply.
She placed the phone back beside her, deciding not to expect anything.
“It’s fine,” she told herself quietly. “I didn’t ask him to reply p>
She lay back and stared at the ceiling. Her thoughts drifted again to Riana and Nathan. If one day the truth was fully proven-if it turned out she really was Chase’s daughter-Eli felt she wouldn’t even need to live in the main house. She didn’t need a large bedroom or a long dining table.
As long as she could visit Riana and Nathan as a granddaughter they cared for. Be acknowledged. Not pushed aside from the affection Riana had to give. Sitting beside that woman, laughing with her, keeping her company -whether over a meal, a casual conversation, or anything at all… as long as Eli was there with them. That alone would be enough.
The bedroom door opened without a knock.
“Eli p>
Selena’s voice was firm. She strode in quickly and shut the door behind her. What she did next made Eli freeze. She nearly dropped her phone and didn’t even have time to hide the watch still wrapped around her wrist.
“Is that… a watch?” Selena asked.
“Yes,” Eli answered, trying to stay calm as she sat on the edge of the bed. “From Grandma p>
Selena’s brows lifted. Her gaze remained fixed on the watch. Her smile widened as she sat beside Eli and examined it more closely. “Wow. She gave you this p>
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