Chapter 270

Alfonso’s little schemes were always obvious to Elise. She could see right through him. But when she called him out in front of everyone, Alfonso snapped.

“Elise, don’t talk nonsense! So you’re just like Dorothea, siding with Bertha? No wonder Walton says those things about you. Guess I was wrong about you after all. You should just stop coming home. If you keep this up, you’ll tear this family apart p>

The words hit Elise hard. She stared at him, hurt and furious. “Are you serious? Who do you think wrote that letter to help Bertha? It was me p>

She never thought that betraying Dorothea would leave her so cold and alone. Instead of gratitude, all she got was bitterness.

Aiken jumped in too, his voice sharp. “Elise, just don’t come back anymore p>

The irony stung. Elise let out a shaky laugh. “Fine. I won’t come back. Ever p>

She sat in her car and cried, shoulders shaking. She was almost fifty, but for the first time, she understood what it meant to lose everyone.

She tried calling Alonzo, but his number was disconnected. She called Layton instead and finally learned Alonzo had gone abroad.

“Elise, marrying you is my biggest regret p>

She felt completely lost. “Layton, please, help me go abroad. I could look after Alonzo. I’m begging you p>

Layton sounded like he thought she’d lost her mind. “Help you? Not a chance. My son has nothing to do with you now. Don’t call me again p>

After he hung up, Elise scrambled to find any way she could to reach Alonzo. She finally got his number and called him, desperate.

“Alonzo, it’s Mom… Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving p>

“You aren’t my mother. My mom died years ago. Don’t ever contact me again. I hate you p>

He hated Dorothea, but somehow, he hated Elise even more.

In that moment, Elise realized she had nothing left. She slumped over the steering

wheel and sobbed. No one cared about her anymore.

Dorothea brought back souvenirs for Carmen.

“Wow, Dorothea, you’re the best! Love you! Carmen squealed, wrapping her arm around Dorothea. She noticed Latham in the front seat giving them a sideways glance.

Carmen let go, a little sulky. She muttered to herself, Latham is so stingy. Can’t I even hold Dorothea’s arm?

Dorothea rolled her eyes at Latham’s reflection in the mirror. “Ignore him. Carmen, you texted me earlier like the world was ending. What’s up p>

Carmen’s smile faded, replaced by a look of misery. “Dorothea, my grandpa wants to set me up on a blind date. Can you believe it. Blind dates are so lame. I really don’t want to go p>

She pouted. Carmen had never even held hands with a guy before. The thought of

being set up with some old man made her cringe.

“Dorothea, I heard he’s thirty-three. I bet he even smells like an old man p>

Dorothea didn’t know what to say.

Latham, who was thirty-one, looked offended.

Dorothea gave a nervous laugh. “Carmen, blind dates aren’t always bad, you know p>

After all, hadn’t she met Latham that way?

Carmen seemed to realize her slip, “Latham, I didn’t mean you two. And I’m not saying you smell old just domblike guys that much older than me. You get it, right, Dorothea p>

Dorothea nodded. “I get it p>

Latham raised an eyebrow and looked back at her, a teasing smile on his face. “Wife, do you think I’m old p>

Dorothea shot him a look. If she said yes, she knew tonight would be anything but peaceful. He’d prove to her just how not-old he was.

Latham grinned, clearly pleased. “So, who’s the guy your grandpa wants you to meet p>

Carmen snapped her fingers as if just remembering. “Oh, it’s your best friend’s cousin. His last name’s Austin p>

Latham’s eyes lit up.

So the one with the ‘old man smell’ is Pearson.