Chapter 492
Chapter 492
“Ah… this feels such a relief p>
The words slipped lightly from Selena’s lips, as if they had just escaped a heavy burden-rather than the very eye of the storm that had shaken Eli’s life to its core. The girl turned her head slowly. Ever since she got into the car, she had chosen silence, her back to the window still flashing with camera lights and echoing with the voices of reporters left behind outside.
So many of them were still trying to get further clarification about her mother’s statement earlier. Truly, what her mother had done was completely unexpected. Entirely. Even now, Eli still felt as though she was dreaming.
Her head throbbed, her chest felt tight, and her hands clenched together, fighting the tremor running through
them.
Eli had never imagined her mother would go this far. Without warning, without her consent-without even telling her what she planned to do. Not a single sentence that allowed Eli the chance to choose. She felt like an object dragged onto a stage, forced to stand under blinding lights, then abandoned to face the world’s stare alone.
She swallowed hard. “Mom…” Her voice came out faint, barely audible. “Why didn’t you tell me anything beforehand p>
Selena glanced at her, one brow lifting slightly. “Tell you what p>
“That you were going to do that,” Eli said, her breath unsteady. “Tell everyone about the DNA test results p>
Selena scoffed, turning her gaze back to the road ahead. “If I had told you, you would’ve messed everything up p>
Eli stared at her mother, disbelief filling her eyes. “Messed it up? Why would I mess it up p>
“You would’ve refused. I know you,” Selena replied, settling comfortably against the passenger seat. “Enough. There’s nothing to worry about. You did great out there. I’m sure they’ll be contacting me any minute now p>
“But, Mom p>
Selena cut her off immediately. “You should be proud. I sped up the process of moving you into the main house p>
The words hit like a bruise. Eli looked at her mother, her eyes slowly filling with tears.
“Me? Proud?” Her voice shook. “I’m not proud at all, Mom. I hate it when people talk about my life as if I’m not even human p>
“Don’t talk like that!” Selena snapped. “Do you know what just happened? All SunCity knows your name and your status now. And most of them are on your side p>
They stared at each other. Eli’s gaze was heavy with disappointment-and the tears she had been holding back finally spilled down her cheeks. Selena, on the other hand, looked at her with clear irritation. She had never expected the girl to push back. To stop being as obedient as she’d always been.
“I never asked for people to support me, Mom,” Eli said, wiping at her tears. “These hurts p>
Selena’s eyes narrowed sharply. “You didn’t ask?” Her words paused for a split second before bursting out. “Have you forgotten how long you begged me to meet your father’s family? How many times you cried because you alone, like you had no family at all p>
felt
Eli fell silent. Her tears slipped down, one after another.
“Who was it that went looking for your father’s family?” Selena demanded impatiently. “Who p>
1/4
ZO BONUS
“You did, Mom,” Eli answered in a barely audible voice.
“Now everyone knows-and most of them support you,” Selena continued, her voice still raised. “So you can be accepted by your father’s family without fear or hesitation anymore. And you dare say this hurts p>
“That’s not what I mean, Mom. It’s just…” Eli said softly. “The way you did it was wrong. You made everything feel so… forced. I don’t like being p>
The slap came without warning.
Smack!
Eli’s head snapped to the side. The sound echoed inside the cramped car. Her breath hitched, her cheek burned, her vision swam. She froze, unable to move. She never imagined her mother would do this.
Her tears spilled faster now, soaking her cheeks, but she couldn’t think anymore-an immense emptiness seemed to swallow her whole.
“Don’t be insolent,” Selena said coldly. There was not a trace of regret in her eyes for the hard slap she’d just delivered. “You should be grateful p>
Eli swallowed, tasting blood-salty on her tongue. “Grateful for what p>
“Grateful that I made you known,” Selena snapped. “After this, Riana and the Miller family won’t have a choice. They won’t dare reject you again. They will take us to the Miller main house. No more hiding you away as if you were a disgrace p>
Eli closed her eyes. Her chest shook violently. “I don’t want to force them p>
“Was my slap not enough to make you think?” Selena had finally lost all patience. Without hesitation, she grabbed Eli’s loose hair and yanked hard, forcing her head up.
She didn’t
satisfied.
Care that Eli winced in pain, pleading for her mother’s hand to release her hair. Selena still wasn’t
“You’re only claiming what’s rightfully yours. You are Chase Miller’s daughter. Remember that, Eli p>
Eli still couldn’t bring herself to say anything beyond broken whimpers-until-
“You won’t answer?” Selena pulled her hair even harder. “Answer me! You are Chase Miller’s daughter, and what you did today was to demand your rights. Do you understand p>
Eli had no choice but to nod. Even then, her tears kept falling. Selena finally released her grip, leaving behind a throbbing ache-but more painful than what Selena had done was the hurt lodged deep in Eli’s heart.
I’m sorry, Josh. I’m sorry, Grandma, she whispered in her mind.
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