Chapter 410

Chapter 410

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Chapter 410

“I’m fine,” Eli replied quickly. “The doctor said I can go home this afternoon. I just wanted to make sure you’re alright too, Grandma p>

Riana smiled gently, her tone softening immediately. “Thank you for calling to check on me. I’m fine. You were very brave today p>

“Oh… it was just reflex,” Eli said quietly. “I was scared something might happen to you p>

Althea glanced at Riana, catching the change in her expression. There was no pretense there-only sincerity.

“Have you eaten yet?” Riana asked.

“Not yet,” Eli answered honestly. “Mom is still taking care of the paperwork. After that, we’re going back to the apartment p>

“Today was supposed to be a simple visit to the cemetery-without any incident,” Riana said with a long sigh. Never mind. Don’t dwell on it too much. It’s better to focus on your schoolwork.” She paused. “You’ll be able to go to school tomorrow, won’t you p>

“Yes,” Eli replied, sounding more cheerful. “I don’t want to fall behind p>

Riana smiled. “Good p>

“Um… Grandma p>

Riana frowned slightly. “Is there something you want to say? Go on p>

“If you have time someday… maybe we could meet?” Eli asked softly. “I’d like to talk to you properly-just the two of us, if you don’t mind p>

Riana looked at Althea in surprise. “Meet me? Just the two of us p>

“Yes. Just the two of us. I’d be dropped off somewhere you like, and after that… I want to talk. I feel…” Eli hesitated. “I feel jealous. You can be close with other people, but I can’t p>

Riana fell silent.

“Is… is that possible p>

For a long moment, Riana didn’t answer. Then finally, “Alright. I’ll arrange a time for us to meet p>

On the other end of the line, Eli went quiet. A small breath followed. “Thank you, Grandma, for understanding. I’ll wait for whenever you’re free for me p>

And the call ended.

A thin but palpable silence slipped into the car. Riana kept holding her phone for a few seconds longer than necessary, as if making sure the conversation was truly over. Both Althea and Josh caught the subtle shift in her expression-not unease, but something closer to careful consideration.

“What does she want, Mom?” Althea finally asked, her tone even but edged with caution.

“She wants to meet me,” Riana answered honestly. “Just Eli and me p>

Josh, who had been listening quietly, leaned forward a little. “I can come with you, Grandma,” he said without hesitation. “If you want to meet her p>

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Chapter 40

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Riana looked at Josh with affection, momentarily surprised-then smiled softly. “You wouldn’t mind? Coming with me to meet that girl p>

Josh shook his head firmly. “I wouldn’t p>

“Thank you, Josh.” Riana gently stroked the top of his head.

Althea nodded in agreement. “I think that’s a good idea p>

But in her mind, her thoughts had already gone far beyond simple approval.

From the very beginning, Althea had separated Selena and Eli in her thoughts-and as time passed, that line only grew clearer. Selena spoke with a purpose. Every sentence was calculated, measured, always circling back to a single focal point-recognition from the Miller family. There were demands in her words, an agenda far too obvious to ignore.

Eli was different.

The girl spoke without pressure, without trying to convince anyone. Even when she was hurt-and when she’d faced threats at the bakery some time ago-she had apologized more than she had asked for attention. And when she pushed Riana at the cemetery, Althea knew it hadn’t been planned. It was instinct. Sincerity that surfaced without being filtered through personal gain.

Althea wasn’t naïve. She understood the bitter possibility: Eli could be used. Turned into a bridge, a tool to pry open doors that had long remained closed to Selena. The girl might not fully grasp the adult games unfolding around her.

And that was precisely what unsettled Althea.

There was a distinct loneliness in Eli’s eyes-one that wasn’t manufactured. The loneliness of someone who had grown up without a place that truly felt like home. She wasn’t seeking grand recognition-just the simple acknowledgment of being seen.

If Selena was full of demands, Eli felt more like a question still searching for an answer.

Althea drew a quiet breath. She remained cautious-that hadn’t changed. But for the first time since their appearance, she admitted one thing to herself:

If there was one person who hadn’t yet been stained by ill intent, it was Eli.

And perhaps that was exactly why Selena never let her speak too freely on her own.

I’ll make sure that woman doesn’t get what she wants, Althea murmured silently to herself.

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