Chapter 50
Serena figured the bite mark on her brother’s hand meant Eleanor hadn’t gotten
her way somehow, so she lashed out like a spoiled brat-biting him as if she were some ungrateful little wolf.
Only her brother would put up with Eleanor’s antics. Any other man would have divorced her a dozen times over by now.
“I think that’s enough, Serena,” Ian cut in with a cool warning.
Serena huffed, clearly annoyed. “I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking p>
At dinner, Serena turned to Evelyn with a bright smile. “Hey, Evelyn, how about Aunt Serena takes you to school tomorrow morning p>
Kids her age loved anything new, and Evelyn’s eyes lit up as she nodded eagerly. “Okay p>
“And I’ll pick you up after school, too. Sound good p>
“Yes!” Evelyn’s grin was wide and genuine.
Eleanor’s fork paused halfway to her mouth. She couldn’t exactly object to Serena moving in, but now she wanted to take charge of Evelyn’s school run? That was pushing boundaries. Eleanor couldn’t help but wonder if Vanessa, who lived nearby and was close with Serena, was behind this-maybe hoping Evelyn would spend more time at her house.
Serena suddenly looked at Eleanor. “You don’t mind, do you p>
Eleanor met her gaze evenly. “The school run can be a lot. It’s tiring p>
“I don’t mind,” Serena replied breezily.
It wasn’t easy to outright refuse, so Eleanor just nodded. “Alright p>
The next morning, Eleanor took Evelyn downstairs, hand-in-hand. Serena was sprawled on the sofa, yawning and bleary-eyed, looking like she hadn’t slept at all. “Evelyn, let’s go! Aunt Serena’s taking you to school p>
“Serena, you look exhausted. Maybe it’s best to skip today?” Eleanor was hesitant to trust her daughter to someone so obviously sleep-deprived.
“I’m fine, really! I slept well-promise.” Serena perked up at the thought of running into Xavier; suddenly, her fatigue was the least of her concerns.
Eleanor watched Serena scoop up Evelyn and head out, unease gnawing at her. Grabbing her own keys, she followed in her car, keeping a discreet distance. She waited by the curb, watching as Serena handed Evelyn off safely to her teacher at the school gate.
Just then, Xavier arrived, holding his young niece’s hand. Serena’s heart skipped a beat, and she managed a bashful, “Good morning, Xavier p>
He smiled politely. “Good morning p>
He dropped off his niece and left, but Serena lingered by her car, lost in a daydream. Eleanor, watching from a distance, couldn’t help but notice the way Serena gazed after Xavier. A suspicion flickered through her mind-did Serena have a thing for Xavier? Was this sudden interest in the school run just an excuse to bump into him?
Shaking her head, Eleanor started the car and drove toward Ashford Medical University.
At nine, Serena met Vanessa at a cozy café. Vanessa smirked at Serena, who was still a little dazed and dreamy. “So, did you run into Xavier this morning?” “Yeah, at the school gate,” Serena admitted, unable to hide her delight.
“Pretty soon, you’ll see him every morning and afternoon. Evelyn and his niece are friends, you know-they’ll probably have plenty of playdates p>
Serena’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, but then she remembered something and scowled. “Did you see the bite mark on my brother’s hand? Eleanor is unbelievable. My brother’s done everything for her for six years, and this is how she treats him p>
Vanessa raised her eyebrows. “Why did she bite him p>
“My brother didn’t say, but I’m sure it’s because he wouldn’t give her something she wanted. She just lost it and bit him-like a crazy person,” Serena huffed.
Vanessa’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “Eleanor really doesn’t know how to appreciate what she has p>
“She’s always been greedy, never satisfied. One day, my brother’s going to get fed up and leave her for good p>
Vanessa shrugged. “He loves Evelyn so much, though. Maybe he’ll stay, just to keep the family together for his daughter’s sake p>
“Don’t worry. His patience with Eleanor is running out,” Serena said confidently.