Chapter 514
Chapter 514
Ell swallowed hard. Her gaze flickered from one face to another, all of them waiting-expecting her to speak. Yet when she tried to open her mouth, her throat felt unbearably dry, as if sharp thorns were lodged there, blocking her voice.
She lowered her head, fingers twisting together tightly on her lap. The atmosphere in the dining room grew heavier by the second, pressing down on her chest.
“I…” Her voice trembled. Eli drew breath, forcing herself to be brave. “I never asked for things to turn out like this p>
Selena snapped her head toward her. “Eli p>
But Riana raised her hand first, cutting Selena off. Her gaze was firm, a clear warning for her to stay silent.
Eli stole a brief glance at her mother, who was staring at her with open displeasure. Still, she couldn’t remain quiet while watching the chaos her mother had caused. What was supposed to be a warm, comfortable dinner had ended like this. Eli didn’t want the situation to drag on any longer.
“I do want to know Dad’s family. That’s true,” she said softly. “I want to know who they are… what they’re like. But I don’t want to force anyone. I don’t want to make this house feel uncomfortable p>
Tears slipped down her cheeks without warning. She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand, guilt flooding her for crying in front of everyone.
“I’m not blaming Mommy,” she continued in a low voice. “She just wants what’s best for me. I know that. But the way she’s doing this right now actually scares me. I feel like… like I’m bringing trouble into a place that’s supposed to be peaceful p>
Selena rolled her eyes in irritation. “What did you just say?” Her jaw tightened. “You’re scared?” she repeated, her emotion barely contained. “What do you have to be afraid of when I’m right here by your side? I’m doing what I should do to support you. Don’t you understand that p>
Eli shook her head slowly. “That’s not it, Mom p>
“Then what is it?” Selena pressed.
“Selena.” Riana’s voice cut in-firm, heavy with authority. “Enough p>
Selena turned sharply to face her, clearly offended at being stopped like that. “She’s my daughter. I have the right to speak to her p>
“And I am the owner of this house. I also have the right to make sure she isn’t being pressured-if Eli truly is my grandchild,” Riana replied coolly. “Eli has answered honestly. That’s all I asked for p>
Nathan, who had been silently observing the entire time, finally spoke. “Does Eli’s honesty sound unpleasant to you, Selena? But it’s something we needed to hear,” he said firmly. “And I’m grateful that Eli was brave enough to say it p>
Eli lowered her head even further, her chest tightening until it was hard to breathe. She wanted nothing more than to leave the room. Every second felt too heavy to endure.
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Riana glanced at the servant standing quietly in the corner. “Please accompany Eli to her room,” she instructed, her tone gentle yet unmistakably clear. “Make sure she gets some rest p>
The servant nodded at once. “Yes, Madam p>
Eli rose slowly, her legs unsteady beneath her. She gave a small bow. “Thank you… for listening to me p>
Selena looked at her daughter with a mix of anger and disbelief. But before she could say anything, Riana stood up first, subtly placing herself between Selena and Eli, blocking her path.
“It would be best if you didn’t stay up too late tonight, Eli,” Riana said more gently. “You’ve done your part.
Eli nodded faintly. After wishing Riana and Nathan good night, she didn’t dare look at Selena. Instead, she turned and walked out at once, accompanied by the servant. The moment the dining room door closed behind her, the tension left behind seemed to sharpen rather than fade. 1
Selena let out a long breath, clearly holding back her anger. “You’ve turned her against me p>
Nathan lifted his eyebrows slightly. “No. We needed to know how she truly feels. You’re the one who kept pressing us to acknowledge Eli as my grandchild, aren’t you? So why question it now when I stand up for her p>
“Oh, really. Standing up for her?” Selena let out a short laugh. “So that means you’ve fully accepted Eli’s existence, then? And what exactly have you done since I arrived here, aside from cornering me p>
Riana fixed her with a steady gaze. “You call what we’re doing cornering you p>
“Of course.” Selena shifted into a more relaxed position, though her eyes remained wary of both Nathan and Riana. “Everything I say is considered wrong. Every move I make is judged as excessive. When all I’ve done is speak the truth p>
Nathan clasped his fingers together on the table. “The truth? Even if it is the truth, it doesn’t mean it should be said that way. Or is there something else behind the ‘truth’ you’re so eager to push p>
Selena scoffed. “You just don’t like hearing it p>
“No,” Nathan replied firmly. “We don’t like the way you deliver it. This house is not a place to prove who’s right and who’s wrong p>
Selena smiled coldly. “Easy for you to say. You’ve never been in my position p>
“We’re not talking about something that needs to be compared,” Riana cut in swiftly.
Selena turned her sharp gaze on Riana. “So now I’m selfish p>
“You are a stubborn woman,” Riana answered without hesitation. “And you deliberately create tension just to gain control p>
Selena laughed, hollow and humorless. “You judge too quickly p>
Nathan rose slowly from his chair, his voice dropping into something heavier. “I’ve warned you before. I’ll say it again, Selena. If you can’t watch your behavior, this house is not the place for you p>
“So there it is,” Selena muttered. “The threat p>
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