Chapter 456
Chapter 456
“Yes. He didn’t like it,” Lydia continued. “He said if Selena had a goal, why did she have to force Eli like that? Josh felt sorry for her. He said… Eli is a good girl p>
Silence followed, as if each of them was processing the weight of India’s words. None of them had expected Selena to be using Eli so blatantly for her own agenda.
“No mother should force her will on her child-especially when it involves another family,” Althea said softly. “This… isn’t normal, Daven p>
“You’re right,” Daven said with a quiet sigh. “Did Josh say anything else p>
“Josh assumed,” Lydia went on, “that Selena must be planning something, enough to push Eli that hard. And I think that’s also what drove Eli to ask Josh for help meeting Riana-not purely out of her own need p>
Althea nodded slowly. “That makes sense p>
“I told him,” Lydia said, “that he didn’t need to get too involved p>
“Why did you advise that?” Daven asked.
“Not because he shouldn’t care about Eli or Selena,” Lydia explained carefully. “But because I think this is the only thing I can do to protect Josh. You know, I’m still traumatized by what happened to him in the past. I know Josh is your son, but p>
“I understand,” Althea said, squeezing Lydia’s hand. “And truly, I’m grateful Josh has an aunt like you p>
“What you did was right, Lydia,” Daven added, agreeing with his wife. “Thank you. This also involves Riana and Nathan. There are boundaries that need to be respected. Josh is a good kid-he shouldn’t be used like that. If Eli really was pushed by Selena to approach Josh and rely on him, then the one we need to be wary of is Selena p>
“Do you know what Josh said after hearing Eli’s request?” Lydia offered a faint smile. There was pride in it—she’d felt it the moment Josh told her about his decision earlier that afternoon.
“What? What did he say?” Althea asked, unable to hide her urgency. She was desperate to know how Josh had handled the
situation.
“He refused to help Eli,” Lydia said. “He told her that anything involving GrandMom is GrandMom’s decision. If she says she’s still busy, then Eli has to wait p>
“That’s my son,” Daven said, unmistakable pride in his voice.
“But because of that decision,” Lydia continued with a slow exhale “he saw with his own eyes how Eli was treated. Josh is a compassionate kid-you know that, Daven. But this situation is far bigger than what he should be carrying p>
Althea sighed. “Josh questioned something too, didn’t he p>
Lydia nodded. “Yes. He wondered why the truth about Eli hasn’t simply been revealed-if there’s already strong evidence. The DNA test, and everything else that seems to support Eli being acknowledged as part of this family p>
Daven looked straight at Lydia. “And what did you tell him p>
“To wait for the right time,” Lydia answered firmly. “I told him that truth revealed at the wrong moment can turn into a weapon -one that ends up hurting everyone p>
Daven gave a small nod. “You’re right p>
“I’m not done yet,” Lydia added. “During that conversation, Mr. Nathan overheard us by accident p>
Althea startled. “Daddy p>
“Yes,” Lydia replied. “He asked to speak with Josh himself. His toe was calm, but it was clear he wanted to be certain about something p>
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Chapter 49-0
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“You don’t need to worry if Josh talked to Mr. Nathan,” Daven said evenly.
“I know, it’s just p>
“What Daven said is true,” Althea cut in gently, resting a reassuring hand on Lydia’s shoulder. “You don’t need to worry p>
“This was something I already suspected,” Daven went on. “Little by little, that woman’s objective is starting to show-even if it’s still hazy p>
Althea shot her husband a sharp look. “You know something p>
“I know Selena isn’t acting alone,” Daven said quietly. “And the pressure she’s putting on Eli only makes it clearer-she has a specific goal tied to this house. To the Miller family home. If her goal were only to live here and secure recognition for Eli, she would’ve stopped already. But I don’t think that’s all she wants p>
“Then what are you really saying?” Lydia looked at him, confused. Explain it to me clearly, Daven. Is Eli… truly Chase’s biological daughter p>
Daven’s gaze shifted between Lydia and his wife. He couldn’t reveal it now. Not yet. There were things he still needed to confirm before speaking the truth he was holding.
“I can’t talk about that yet,” Daven said with a long, weary sigh.
“You really intend to hide something this important until the very end?” Althea pressed, frustration lacing her voice. “Can’t you tell us now p>
D
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