Chapter 434
Chapter 434
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Chapter 434
She leaned in, took Eli’s hand without asking, and turned her wrist. “It’s beautiful. This means they’re starting to accept you p>
“Grandma didn’t say that,” Eli replied carefully. “She just said it was a gift for helping her at Papa’s grave p>
“She wouldn’t say it so bluntly, Eli. Honestly, why are you being so dense?” Selena cut in. “Actions matter more than words p>
Eli gently pulled her hand back. “Maybe p>
“You received a gift because of what you did,” Selena pressed. “That’s not a small thing to them. Your effort was truly impressive p>
Eli fell silent.
Selena looked at her directly. “Have you messaged Riana yet p>
“Not yet,” Eli answered honestly. “I just p>
“Send it now,” Selena ordered. “Don’t wait. Ask how she’s doing. Ask when you can meet again. You can start the conversation. There’s nothing wrong with texting your own grandmother p>
“I don’t want to bother her,” Eli protested softly. “She looks busy p>
Selena clicked her tongue in irritation. “That’s not bothering her. That’s showing care, Eli. How do you expect communication to grow if you never send a message? Don’t waste such a good start. Do you understand p>
She leaned closer, her voice lower but firm. “Someone like Riana is used to attention. If you stay silent, someone else will fill that space p>
“I never thought of it that way,” Eli admitted.
Selena let out a short laugh. “That’s because you’re too naïve. Besides, you told me she wouldn’t mind if you contacted her anytime. Right p>
Eli lowered her gaze, unable to deny it.
“Good,” Selena said briskly. “Use that p>
Eli looked up. “Mom, I don’t want to keep pushing the way you’re suggesting p>
“You’re not pushing,” Selena replied coldly. “You’re just sending messages. Every day. Is that so hard p>
Silence stretched between them. Eli glanced down at the watch on her wrist again, as if searching for something to hold on to.
“But I’m also curious-how did Josh react while you were talking? Did he show anything unpleasant toward you p>
“No!” Eli denied quickly. “He was polite. I think he has a lot of achievements to be proud of too. And… Josh is the one who chose this watch,” she added softly.
Selena’s smile widened. “Wow!” She clapped her hands lightly, delighted. “That’s even better. You’re really proving how reliable you are p>
“What do you mean, Mom p>
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Chapter 434
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“It means you’ve succeeded,” Selena replied. “You made them comfortable. They’re starting to accept you p>
Eli shook her head slightly. “I was just being myself p>
“And that’s enough,” Selena said at once. “As long as you keep it up.” She stood and walked toward the window, where the curtains were still partly open. “You need to meet them again soon. The more often, the better p>
“Alright, Mom p>
“Never ignore my advice, Eli. All of this is for your own good. Don’t you want to be reunited with your family as soon as possible? You deserve the same things Josh does p>
Eli let out a breath. “Mom, if everything is proven later, I don’t mind not living in the main house p>
Selena shot to her feet. “What p>
“I just want to be close to them,” Eli continued.
Selena’s expression hardened. “You have to live there p>
“Why?” Eli asked.
“Because it’s your right,” Selena said sharply. “And it’s my right too, Eli. I’m the woman who gave birth to Chase Miller’s daughter. I have the right to be recognized as the one who carries on the Miller bloodline p>
Eli fell silent.
“Do you know what that house represents?” Selena went on. “Security. Status. A future. And all of it-I prioritize it for you p>
“I already have a future,” Eli protested. “My school is good. I-
“Enough,” Selena cut in. “That’s not enough.” She leaned toward Eli. When Eli refused to look at her, Selena deliberately grabbed her chin, gripping it hard, forcing their eyes to meet. “Do you want to live barely scraping by for the rest of your life p>
Selena’s gaze burned with restrained anger. Eli began to tremble. “Mom-
“Do you remember how we lived before? Do you want to go back to that p>
“N-no, Mom p>
“Then do what I say,” Selena ordered, tightening her grip on Eli’s chin. “Message Riana. Every day. Ask when the next meeting will be. And if possible, bring up when we’ll be moving into the main house p>
“Y-yes, Mom p>
Selena finally released her. “Do it now. In front of me.” She crossed her arms over her chest, clearly not planning to leave the room until Eli obeyed. How could this child hesitate again? What on earth was going through her mind?
“Now, Eli. Don’t waste my time p>
Eli nodded quickly. Her hands shook as she picked up her phone. She opened the message thread to Riana and began typing at once, desperate to escape the pressure of her mother’s presence.
Eli: Grandma, thank you for today. I was really happy. If Grandma is willing, I’d love to meet again whenever you have time. Please let me know if you’re free.
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She stopped and glanced at Selena, making sure her words weren’t wrong.
“Add something about the house,” Selena said.
Eli swallowed hard. Her fingers moved again.
Eli: I also wanted to talk about a few things, if it wouldn’t be a bother.
She pressed send.
Selena smiled with satisfaction. “Good p>
Eli set her phone down, her chest tightening.
“You did great,” Selena said, stroking Eli’s hair. “I’m proud of you. Keep doing that every day-until you get a clear answer about when you’ll meet again p>
“Yes, Mom p>
The touch was warm, yet Eli felt nothing. Once her mother left the room, all she could do was stare at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was slightly mussed from Selena’s hand, but everything felt hollow. Her thoughts drifted back to the Italian dining table—to Riana’s calm smile, to Josh’s steady gaze, flat yet unmistakably sincere.
For the first time that night, a question formed quietly in Eli’s heart: could attention demanded through coercion ever truly be called sincerity?
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