Chapter 512
Chapter 512
Althea gave a faint smile and gently brushed the back of her son’s hand. The gesture was enough to make Josh restrain himself before sitting back down, his jaw clenched tight.
Althea then looked straight at Selena. “My husband’s problems are none of your business p>
“Aren’t we family now?” Selena shot back quickly. “I thought we should be honest with each other p>
“And this,” Althea asked coolly, “is what you call honesty p>
Felicia looked at Selena with open displeasure. “I don’t think that topic is appropriate-especially when you bring it up in front of children p>
“Oh, I’ve only just met you. And who are you, exactly?” Selena smiled broadly. “I’m Selena. My daughter is also Chase Miller’s child. Just like p>
“You don’t need to know my name,” Felicia cut in, her gaze sharp and unyielding. “And I have no intention of introducing myself to you p>
Selena gave a small laugh. “Is that so?” She cleared her throat lightly. “I’m just being honest, Althea. I’m only worried. The children, for example. They’re living here too, aren’t they? Depending on this family p>
The sentence landed like a hammer striking the thick glass dining table-shattering the calm into sharp fragments that cut everyone seated around it.
Josh stared at her in disbelief. He stood up at once, ready to defend his mother. But again, his mother stopped him. “Mom!” he said impatiently.
“Sit down, Josh,” Althea ordered, her voice steady but firm.
Nathan set his spoon down with a soft clink-quiet, yet loud enough to still the entire table.
“Selena p>
His tone was low. Dangerous.
“This house has never been a place where anyone is merely ‘staying’,” Nathan continued firmly. “Althea and her children are part of this family. They have been from the very beginning. Without conditions p>
Selena fell silent for a moment, then offered a thin smile. “I didn’t mean to-
“You meant to insult Althea,” Riana cut in sharply. “And I won’t allow that. She is my daughter-in-law, Selena. Know your boundaries p>
Silence enveloped the dining table, heavy and suffocating-especially for Eli.
The air around the table seemed to thicken, pressing against her chest until her breaths grew shallow. She didn’t know where to look-at her untouched plate, the neatly laid tablecloth, or the faces around her that suddenly felt so distant. Awkwardness crept in fast, tangled with shame and anxiety. She felt her presence becoming the center of the tension, as if every word that had just been spoken clung to her, demanding explanations she couldn’t give.
Her fingers trembled violently. She clenched them beneath the table so no one would notice. Eli wanted to say
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something to stop this, but her mind was blank. No sentence felt safe. All she felt was an overwhelming urge to leave, to escape the dining room before her tears fell and humiliated her even further.
She wanted to stand, ask to be excused, and disappear somewhere quiet. But her legs felt stiff, frozen in place by the weight of the gazes around her-making her feel smaller, more uncertain, completely lost about how she was supposed to exist in that moment.
Althea gently rubbed the back of Josh’s hand. “We’re done eating,” she said calmly. “Excuse us p>
Before she truly left, she added, “Mom, Dad, would you like some lemon tea? I made some snacks this afternoon p>
“Of course I would. I’m sure your father would like some as well,” Riana replied with a warm smile. “Go on ahead. I need to take care of something first p>
Althea nodded and left the dining room, followed by Josh and Felicia. Josh shot Selena a sharp look before walking away. “Don’t ever touch my family again-by your words or by anything else you might try p>
Selena smiled, satisfied. To her, Althea’s departure from the dining room felt like proof that her presence in this family was growing stronger.
Lydia rose from her seat as well. “I’ll go with them p>
Cale pushed his chair back a little too hard, the screech of wood against the floor sharp and unpleasant. “I’m done, Mom. I have work to take care of. And I hope I don’t have to see any pests in this place again p>
Chris followed suit. One by one, they left the table, leaving only Nathan, Riana, Eli, and Selena behind.
Nathan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. “I’m disappointed in you, Selena,” he said firmly. “I allowed you and Eli to come into this house as part of my responsibility p>
“What I said was the truth, Mr. Miller. Where exactly is my mistake p>
“If you can’t change your attitude, then you should pack your things and return to where you came from p>
“Eli is your granddaughter, Mr. Miller. You have no right to drive her out of this house. She has rights here too p>
“Since when,” Riana cut in sharply, “can a child born out of wedlock, without any official record, make
demands like this p>
“Eli,” Riana called, prompting the girl to lift her head.
All this time, Riana had been watching how pressured Eli seemed whenever she was near Selena. Yet Riana didn’t want to offer sympathy in the wrong way. Who knew… who knew if Eli was deliberately wearing an innocent, helpless expression to make Selena’s plans easier?
Who could say?
And yet, deep in her heart, Riana couldn’t bear to see Eli like this. She was a sweet child.
“Do you really want all of this p>
Eli flinched, clearly not expecting the question. “Um… that… I p>
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“Answer honestly,” Riana said, her gaze steady. “According to your mother’s statement and the DNA test she brought, you are my granddaughter p>
“Tell me do you want what your mother has been saying? Or is all this only your mother’s desire p>
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