Chapter 162 Different Kinds of Care
Estelle’s POV
The door opened behind us with a soft creak. Dorothy’s eyes shifted over my shoulder, and her expression brightened even more.
“Asher! Come here, my dear boy.”
I turned to see Asher entering with Finn at his side. Jessie and Ashley followed close behind, their faces still tense from our earlier confrontation.
Dorothy gestured toward Asher with one hand while keeping her grip on mine. “Come closer.”
Asher approached slowly. His eyes met mine briefly, and I saw that familiar warmth mixed with something that looked like pleading. I kept my expression cold.
When he reached us, Dorothy suddenly grabbed his hand and pressed it firmly against mine.
“There,” she said with satisfaction. “That’s better.”
I felt Asher’s fingers warm against my palm. His touch made my stomach turn, but I forced myself to remain still.
Dorothy kept both our hands trapped under hers. Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone her age.
“Listen to me, both of you,” she said, her voice taking on a stern tone. “Couples need to work out their differences. Small squabbles shouldn’t be enough to tear your love apart.”
Her eyes moved between us. “Especially when you have a child between you.”
I couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped my lips. The sound made Dorothy’s eyebrows raise slightly.
“Dorothy,” I said gently, keeping my tone respectful. “Finn isn’t actually my son.”
I glanced toward the boy, who stood quietly beside Asher. “He wants someone else to be his mother. And I’ve frankly grown tired of pretending otherwise.”
Finn’s green eyes met mine briefly before he looked away.
“He’s grown up enough to know what he wants and what he doesn’t want,” I continued.
Dorothy’s face hardened. Her sharp gaze turned to Asher, and I saw him visibly shrink under her stare.
“Asher,” she said, her voice carrying clear disapproval. “This boy needs proper guidance.”
Asher straightened immediately. “Of course, Grandmother. I’ll make sure to teach him proper manners.”
Dorothy nodded, satisfied with his response. The moment her grip loosened on our hands, I pulled mine away quickly.
Asher’s touch had made my skin crawl. I wiped my palm discreetly against my jacket.
“I brought you something,” I said, reaching into my bag, wanting to change the topic.
I pulled out a small package wrapped in simple brown paper. The supplements inside had taken me hours to prepare, carefully measuring each herb and mineral. However, I wasn’t planning on telling them that.
“Some supplements,” I explained, holding them out to Dorothy. “I bought them for you.”
Dorothy accepted the package with a warm smile. “How thoughtful of you, dear.”
Ashley stepped forward, peering at the unmarked package. A laugh bubbled up from her throat.
“What brand is that?” she asked with obvious amusement. “I’ve never seen such plain packaging.”
Her laughter grated against my nerves, but I kept my expression neutral.
Dorothy shot Ashley a sharp look. “It’s the thought that counts.”
But even as she said the words, I could see in her expression that she didn’t think much of the humble gift either. She set it aside on the small table next to her chair.
“Stay for dinner,” Dorothy said suddenly. “It’s been so long since we’ve all eaten together as a family.”
I shook my head. “I should really get back—”
“I insist.” Her tone left no room for argument. “Jessie has already instructed the food to be prepared for everyone.”
The look in her eyes made it clear that refusing again would be considered rude. I found myself nodding reluctantly.
“Wonderful!” Dorothy clapped her hands together. “Let’s go downstairs then.”
The dining room table was set for six people. I noticed immediately that the only available seat was between Finn and Asher.
I took my place, trying not to react when Asher’s arm brushed against mine as he sat down.
As the meal progressed, I began to notice something that made my chest feel tight.
Every conversation somehow circled back to Asher and me.
Even when Dorothy asked about work, the topic would still circle back to relationship matters that weren’t otherwise related. “That’s nice, dear. But don’t you think it would be better if you and Asher worked together on pack matters?”
Or, Dorothy would bring up the things that I used to do in Moonveil to help Asher with his role as the Alpha-in-training back then. “I’m sure Asher appreciates having such a helpful wife.”
No matter what I said, she brought it back to my relationship with Asher.
I realized with growing clarity that Dorothy cared for me, yes. But not in the same way that Josephine did. Or even Cyrus and Killian.
Those three were interested in me as a person. They asked about my thoughts, my goals, my feelings.
Dorothy only seemed to care about me as Asher’s wife. I was basically an extension of him.
The warmth I’d felt earlier began to fade.
When dessert was served, Dorothy set down her spoon and looked directly at me.
“You know, Estelle,” she said, “perhaps it would be best if you delegated all your work to Nigel and came home to Moonveil where you belong. He’s the new Beta, after all, and it’s his job to help with such tasks. You shouldn’t be working so much.”