Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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When Elnora came out with the other guests, Marina was still standing there, looking distracted, as if lost in her own world.
Someone teased, “Ms. Finley and Mr. Zamora really do seem close. His car’s already gone, but Ms. Finley doesn’t want to leave yet.”
Another guest laughed, “Looks like the Finley and Zamora families are about to get even closer, all thanks to Ms. Finley and Mr. Zamora.”
Elnora Finley gave a faint, helpless smile, not bothering to argue. She just said, “My sister gets embarrassed so easily–please, take it easy with the teasing, or she’ll be too mortified to show her face outside.”
Everyone chuckled at Elnora’s comment.
Marina moved to stand beside Elnora, helping her send off the last batch of guests.
When everyone was finally gone, Marina turned to Elnora, hoping to see some other emotion flicker across her face.
But there was nothing.
Elnora’s expression stayed cool and distant, that subtle smile on her lips proof she’d come out on top.
“Elnora…” Marina hesitated, finally speaking up.
Elnora looked down at her. “What is it?”
Marina bit her lip, her voice soft and uncertain.
“Did it ever cross your mind that Mr. Zamora was so willing to help today… maybe it was because of you?”
Marina kept her voice low, afraid Elnora would get mad if she heard.
Marina knew her Sicester proposal might have caught Daron’s eye, but it wasn’t enough for him to go out of his way like this.
Marina could still clearly remember what Daron had said to her before she called off their engagement.
Elnora raised an eyebrow, her voice calm.
“Daron never cared much about our old classmate bond. If there wasn’t something in it for him, he wouldn’t have even bothered to come to the Finley family’s party today.”
With that, Elnora headed back inside, and Marina hurried after her, speaking softly, “Maybe it was never just about the old school bond?”
Elnora stopped in her tracks.
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Chapter 96
Marina’s heart leapt to her throat; she almost couldn’t look Elnora in the eye.
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The next second, her sister’s hand landed gently on her head, ruffling her hair with a comforting touch.
“Marina, you’re amazing. You need to believe in yourself, okay?” Elnora said softly.
Marina looked up at her sister, her eyes suddenly growing misty.
“Elnora…” she whispered.
But before she could say anything else, Elnora’s phone rang. Elnora glanced at the caller ID, swiped to answer, and put the phone to her ear. “Mr. Clark…”
Still on the call, Elnora walked back inside, crossed the yard, and headed straight for the study.
Marina watched as her sister’s determined, commanding figure disappeared into the house, and let out a quiet sigh.
These days, it felt like work was the only thing Elnora ever cared about.
After the party ended, the staff were still tidying up outside, and Gauri was bustling about. Marina pitched in to help out.
Seeing this, Gauri hurried over to stop her.
“Ms. Marina, you really shouldn’t be doing this. Go on inside and get some rest. I can handle things out here,” Gauri said.
Marina just smiled. ‘I did this all the time when I was in Sicester. It’s really nothing. The sooner we wrap up, the sooner everyone can call it a day.’
When Kathy left the Finley family, she didn’t take anything with her—just Marina.
At first, coming back to Sicester was tough for Marina. She’d always had a nanny growing up, so doing things for herself was a whole new world.
But after a while, she got used to it.
Her mom had always told her, ‘No one’s going to spoil you forever, and no one can guarantee you’ll always have everything you need. As a girl, you have to be strong and independent. Even if you find yourself stuck in the mud, you have to have the strength to pull yourself out.‘
Marina had long since accepted that she wasn’t some pampered princess anymore.
Seeing Marina like this, Gauri gave a contented smile.
‘Marina’s got what it takes to stand on her own,‘ Gauri thought. ‘Even if she ends up as the last one in the Finley family, she’ll always manage just fine.’
“Ms. Marina, I’ve been thinking it over. I’ll wait until Ms. Elnora’s feeling better before I go back home. I’ve already talked it over with my son and daughter–in–law.”
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Chapter 96
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Marina had always worried that after she left for Sicester, no one new could take care of Elnora the way Gauri did. Now, hearing Gauri would be staying, her eyes shimmered with gratitude.
“Gauri, don’t worry about a thing. Elnora and I will always treat you like family.”
Gauri patted Marina’s hand, her voice gentle. “You and Elnora are both kids I watched grow up. With everything Ms. Elnora’s going through right now, my heart just won’t let me leave.”
Marina’s eyes turned red with emotion, deeply moved by Gauri’s decision to stay.
Once everything was cleaned up, Gauri went back to her room to rest.
Elnora still hadn’t come out of the study, so Marina carefully pushed the door open and peeked inside. She found her sister sitting in the chair, lost in thought.
“Elnora…” Marina called out softly.
Elnora came back to herself and looked over at her.
The dazed look in her eyes vanished instantly, like she’d never been distracted at all.
“You still haven’t gone to bed?” Marina asked softly.
Marina glanced at her sister’s calm, collected face, feeling a bit helpless. “You should be the one getting some rest. The doctor told you not to overwork yourself, to keep a regular schedule and eat properly. Don’t forget what the doctor said, okay?”
Elnora nodded, stood up, picked up her phone, and locked the screen. She said softly, “I’m heading to bed
now.”
Marina followed Elnora out of the study, and as they headed upstairs, she linked arms with her sister, holding
on gently.
11
“I’ve got a business trip to Sicester tomorrow,” Marina said.
“Promise me you’ll stick to our agreement, okay? Go for your infusion on time tomorrow, and when it’s time for chemo, I’ll take time off and come back to be with you. You…”
Elnora listened to Marina go on and on like a broken record, then reached out and gently pinched her lips shut.
“Alright, I get it,” Elnora said. “You’re in your twenties, not some old granny–don’t start nagging like one.”
Marina’s face scrunched up in a pout.
Elnora gave her a gentle, reassuring smile. “Alright, I’ll remember, I promise.”
She let go, her touch lingering for a moment.
Marina stopped nagging, but when she caught the worried look in her sister’s eyes, she couldn’t help but ask.
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Chapter 96
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“Elnora, is there something at the company that’s still weighing on you? You know you can talk to me—I want to help, and we’ll get through it together.”
Elnora froze for a moment, then muttered, “Is it that obvious I’m anxious?”
Marina nodded, her tone gentle but honest. “Totally. Anyone could see it.”
Elnora fell silent, her eyes downcast. After a few seconds, she gave a wry little laugh, sounding both resigned and a bit self–mocking.
When she looked up again, she was back to her usual composed and decisive self.
“It’s nothing to do with work. Just some things I need to deal with myself,” Elnora said. Her voice was calm, and that troubled look from before had completely disappeared.
Marina froze for a second–she could tell right away her sister was hurting. Without thinking, she pulled Elnora into a hug.
“Elnora, I’m not a kid anymore. Whatever you’re dealing with, you should tell me. We’re all each other’s got now, and you owe it to me to let me in,” Marina said.
Elnora ruffled Marina’s hair, her voice soft and even.
“It’s nothing, really. Just that the guy who once said he’d only ever marry me is getting married now,” Elnora said.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
