Chapter 69
Tears streamed down Jane’s cheeks.
But since Elena didn’t bring it up, Jane didn’t ask. She didn’t want to touch on any emotional scars.
“You’ve gotten so thin. I didn’t notice it on video, but how did you lose so much weight?” Jane looked Elena over from head to toe. Her heart ached as she pinched Elena’s cheek. “Have you not been eating properly while you were away?”
Elena protested, “No, Grandma. I’m very healthy right now!”
“Nonsense. There’s hardly any flesh on you!” Jane retorted.
Samuel was standing by the side. His lips curled up slightly, but he quickly put on a stern face. “Alright, stop standing around at the door. Where’s your sense of decorum? Let’s go inside.”
The dining table was filled with all of Elena’s favorite dishes, all carefully prepared by Jane and the family
cook.
It had been years since Elena had a meal at home. She felt her appetite soar, and she couldn’t stop eating.
Jane kept adding food to her plate, while Samuel quietly refilled her drinks.
“It’s great that you’re home.” Jane kept saying it, yet Elena never once felt irritated. On the contrary, her
heart grew warmer every time.
After the meal, Elena started to feel drowsy. As she lay in her long-missed bedroom, she stared at the family portrait by her bedside.
In the photo, Samuel, still young at the time, wore a sharp suit. His handsome face had yet to carry the
sternness it had today. Jane held Elena in her arms, and happiness seemed to exude from every wrinkle.
Then, there was Elena’s mother…
She stood right beside Samuel. Her beautiful eyes were filled with warmth.
“Mom,” Elena whispered at the photo. “I’m home.”
Just then, there was a soft knock at her bedroom door.
When Elena opened it, she saw Samuel standing there with a cup of hot milk in his hand, looking a little awkward. “Drink this before you sleep.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Elena accepted the cup, feeling the warmth against her palm.
Looking at the white strands near his temples, Elena couldn’t help but say, “Dad, I’m sorry. I’ve made you and Grandma worry for all these years.”
Samuel turned his head aside and said a little hoarsely, “We’re family; there’s no need for that. Now go rest.”
“Alright, Dad. You should get some rest too.” Elena turned back into her room, but Samuel’s gaze fell on
her right leg.
She walked no differently from anyone else, but Samuel could instantly tell that something was off.
He clenched his fists tightly as a cold glint surfaced in his eyes.
ï ༢
Justin, that bastard! Samuel swore to settle all these debts one by one.
The next morning, Camila came to the Miller residence.
Elena was still buried under her blankets when Camila leaned close to her ear and chanted, “Lena, wake
- The sun’s already burning your back. Lena…”
Elena swung her hand to smack Camila, but the latter dodged swiftly. “Please, are you trying to hit me?
You still need more practice.”
“I haven’t slept enough…” Elena pulled the blanket over her head. “Go play by yourself for a while, okay?”
“What am I supposed to do by myself? Lena, we haven’t seen each other in years. Didn’t you miss me?” Camila pulled the blanket away.
“Nope,” Elena replied.
Camila shouted, “You’re so heartless!”
Even though Elena said that, seeing her best friend again filled her with joy. Elena’s sleepiness quickly faded away, and after she washed up, the two of them had breakfast and chatted on the balcony.
Elena told Camila everything that had happened during this time.
