Chapter 68
Chapter 68
ELENOR
PRESENT TIME
Ravel did more than I expected. Not only did he arrange for the private jet but also ensured luxurious
amodations tailored perfectly to my preferences. The suite he selected for me exuded elegance
and sophistication. Amidst the process of gathering my belongings, an unexpected interruption came in
the form of the doorbell’s melodious chime.
Intrigued yet puzzled by thete-hour caller, I momentarily halted my packing to approach the door.
With a touch of reluctance, I engaged the inte, my anticipation waning rapidly as my eyes met an
unwanted figure on the other side. The mere sight of my uninvited guest caused my mood to plummet.
The soft voice that followed held a mix of entreaty and familiarity, as Anne’s gentle words reached my
ears through the inte. “Elenor, open the door. I’m well aware you’re inside.”
Perplexed by her sudden appearance, I begrudgingly permitted Anne’s entry, retreating to my bedroom
to continue packing. A few minutester, she joined me, her presence an unwee intrusion. “Why
are you in my house, Anne?” I questioned, my attempt at evasion evident in my tone. Hadn’t I gone to
great lengths to avoid her?
Her gaze briefly flicked to my half-packed suitcase before returning to meet my eyes. In an almost
monotonous tone, she pointed out, “Today is Friday.” Her words hung in the air for a moment, pregnant
with unspoken implications.
I turned to her, my confusion etched across my features as I blinked slowly. “And?” I replied, a hint of
skepticism coloring my voice.
“Family dinner,” she elucidated, her exnation falling t. “You missed the Friday family dinner. I want
to know why, especially when you’re here in the city.”
Was she truly serious? Frustration surged within me, a red dress slipping from my grasp tond angrily
on the bed. Folding my arms across my chest, I leveled a re at her. “Family dinner?” I scoffed, a
bitter edge to my chuckle. “Let’s not pretend it’s a ‘family dinner’ when Ravel abandoned that tradition
ages ago!”
“Ravel’s absence shouldn’t dictate your choices,” Anne challenged, her wordsced with a hint of
defiance.
A bitterugh escaped me,den with resentment. “Ravel’s absence should have been a wake-up call
for me,” I retorted, the words dripping with bitterness. “Youbel it as a ‘family dinner,’ yet Ravel hasn’t
graced that asion with his presence with his wife since that incident. You even forbade Raymond
from attending, as if erasing his existence was the solution.”
“Raymond isn’t family!” Her voice snapped, sharp and upromising.
My frustration surged to the surface, my desperation echoing in my cry. “He grew up with us!” I
eximed, my agitation nearing its breaking point. “I love him, and you’re fully aware of that! He could
have been family if you hadn’t forced him to promise to stay away from me, using his father’s life as
leverage!”
“Elenor!” Anne’s voice rang out, a mix of exasperation and reproach, yet it couldn’t drown out the
turmoil that had been festering for far too long.
“I remained oblivious to what transpired back then,” I admitted in a hushed voice, my emotionsid
bare. “I couldn’tprehend why he suddenly distanced himself from me, until I identally overheard
you reminding him of that promise justst week.”
She took a tentative step towards me, a glimmer of vulnerability in her expression. But my gaze
remained fixed and intense, a ring testament to my lingering resentment. “For all your actions, Anne-
your attempts to manipte me into a contractual marriage, your near destruction of Ravel’s marriage-
1 never harbored as much animosity towards you as I didst week. Never before have I questioned
the cosmic irony that made you my mother.”
Her fingers fiddled nervously with the pea rl ne adorning her neck, a visible sign of her unease.
“Elenor, I did what I believed was in your best interest,” she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.
“Raymond isn’t the suitable match for you. He has nothing substantial to offer.”
My fists clenched at my sides, a surge of anger coursing through me. “You made decisions based on
your insatiable greed for more wealth,” I seethed, my voice trembling with intensity. Stepping towards
her, I pinned her with an usatory re. “You’repletely oblivious when ites to recognizing
genuine character, Anne. Your judgment of people rests solely on the depth of their pockets!”
Her voice raised, a bellow of frustration breaking free. “Raymond is your brother’s security!” she
shouted back, her eyes zing with conviction.
“That’s his professional responsibility, Anne!” My voice cracked as I cried out, frustration and passion
intermingled. “Just like Ravel oversees a jewelry empire and I manage a cosmetics line. It’s his job! At
the end of the day, we’re all contributing the same thing-money!”
Her open palm connected with my cheek in a stinging p, the impact resonating through me. Pain
red across my skin, both physical and emotional. “Don’t you dare belittle your brother’s contributions
byparing them to Raymond’s! It’s an insult to him!” She hissed vehemently, her words heavy with
reprimand.
Tears welled up as I gingerly rubbed my stinging cheek, allowing the salty trails to trace their way down.
“If you weren’t my mother, that p would have been returned,” I admitted, my voice quivering. A
mixture of shock and uncertainty shed in her widened eyes. “Do you feel no disgust for yourself,
Anne?”
Her tone turned stern, a warning etched in her words. “Don’t address me with such disrespect.
Remember, I am still your mother.”
“A mother who was absent on the day her son became engaged to the woman he adores,” I countered,
my voice gaining strength. “You were intentionally not included in the invitation, and it was a close call
even for the wedding.” I wiped my tears away with a fierce swipe, my gaze unwaveringly fixed on her.
“And just so you’re aware, Ravel deeply regrets having you at that wedding.”
“Shut your mouth this instant!” she snapped, her patience dwindling.
“No! It’s your mouth that should be shut!” I shot back, a culmination of frustration and resentment
fueling my words. “I’m exhausted from trying to find any redeeming qualities in you, Anne.” Inhaling a
deep breath, I marched towards the door and swung it open. “Leave my house.”
Her gaze narrowed in disbelief. “Are you seriously asking me to leave your house?”
Unmoved by the mixture of rage and frustration etched across her features, I met her gaze without
flinching. “If you don’t exit of your own volition, I won’t hesitate to instruct security to escort you out.”
A surge of anger tightened her lips, a visible sign of her displeasure. “I’m going to allow you some time
toe to your senses, and then we’ll engage in a civilized conversation.” With those words, she
turned and exited the room.
“Anne!” I called after her, halting her departure. She paused, her head tilting slightly as she afforded me
her attention. “Don’t bother expecting me at the so-called Friday family dinners any longer. I won’t be
gracing them with my presence.” With a finality that echoed in my words, I mmed the door shut in
her face.
*****
**
The following morning, I embarked on my journey to Seattle. Upon my arrival, I chose not to make an
immediate visit to Hazel’s office. Instead, I dedicated my time to some shopping and acquiring a
thoughtful gift for her, all while indulging in
my list. some sun exposure to tan my skin. Byte afternoon, I had efficiently checked off these tasks
from
With hunger pangs gnawing at me and an undeniable yearning for ice cream, I prioritized an early
dinner before seeking out the sweet treat. My n was straightforward: satisfy my appetite and then
savor a delightful ice cream dessert before eventually making my way to Hazel’s. If circumstances
didn’t allow for our meeting today, there was always the option of doing so tomorrow-after all, tomorrow
held the pivotal task of convincing her to journey to New York.
Having executed my dinner ns as intended, I leisurely ambled over to an ice cream parlor that had
been enthusiastically rmended by one of the restaurant’s staff members. Themendation
certainly held true, considering the lengthy line that greeted me upon arrival. It seemed this
establishment’s poprity was well-deserved, a fact that became evident as I joined the queue of
eager patrons.
Chapter 68
As
my
wait in the ice cream line became more prolonged, I took a seat that was conveniently provided. Amidst
my patience, my attention was captured by a little girl, also queuing for ice cream. Strangely, her
appearance struck a chord within me, reminiscent of what I imagined Ravel’s future daughter might
look like. The resemnce between her and Ravel was uncanny, a remarkable likeness that drew my
focus.
The girl’s gaze darted around, her eyes seemingly searching for someone. In a burst of excitement,
she waved and eximed, “Mummy!” Her deration piqued my curiosity, and I followed her line of
sight, which led me to none other
than Hazel.
Despite her attempt at concealment with a face mask, I recognized Hazel with case. Shock
reverberated through me, causing me to blink rapidly as I watched her lift the child into her arms,
cing a loving kiss on the girl’s check before returning to her phone call. “I stepped out to get ice
cream for Daisy,” she exined, her voice carrying the affection of a doting parent. “I should be
heading home shortly.”
The name “Daisy” triggered a memory, linking it to the moment Hazel had inquired if Daisy was okay. It
was bing evident that this Daisy was indeed Ravel’s daughter. But the question that gnawed at
me was how such a significant. revtion had been kept hidden from the media, from Ravel himself,
and particrly from me. While I understood Hazel’s anger towards Ravel, my support for her had
never wavered.
Summoning my resolve, I rose from my seat and took deliberate steps towards her. “Hazel?” I called
out, the name hanging in the air like a question mark. She spun around at the sound of my voice, her
eyes widening in astonishment.
Recognition dawned in her gaze as she spoke my name in return. “Elenor?”N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.