apter 188
Elle’s Pov
from my
my nap feeling desoriented. The events of the past few days had taken their toll, and exhaustion had finally caught up with me. The house was quiet, but I could hear muffled voices coming from what sounded like Sophia and Abigail’s room,
Curious, I padded barefoot down the hallway toward their mices. T
The door was slightly ajar, and I caught fragments of their conversation
Why do I feel like somethings not right about all this?” Abigail was saying, her voice tinged with concern,
“I agree,” Sophia replied, and I could hear the tension in her tone.
1 paused outside their door, not wanting to eavesdrop but unable to help myself from listening
“I have to admit,” Abigail continued, “Raymond sent me here because he was worried about you bring alone with a pregnant human girl after your… wel after your heartbreak.
“I wasn’t heartbroken!” Sophia protested immediately. I never even had a relationship to begin with. How can you lose something you never had?”
“Keep your voice down,” Abigail whispered urgently. These walls aren’t exactly soundproof.”
There was a pause, and then Abigail spoke again, her voice more analytical. “But seriously, how coincidental is it that Eleanor Blair suddenly shows up in Moonshade Bay, and then immediately after, all this shit happens with the West family?”
“There’s no evidence connecting the two events,” Sophia said, though I could hear the uncertainty in her voice.
“Someone’s deliberately pushing Elle back to the Blair family. Abigail mused. “Though from what I can see, it’s not necessarily bad for her.”
“I agree,” Sophia said. “It’s like someone’s helping Elle clean up the mess in her life.”
“And honestly?” Sophia continued. Those Wests deserved what they got. That toxic family was like a cancer- removing it is good for Elle.
*Still,” Abigail said quietly, “I can’t shake this uneasy feeling. What if this is just the beginning, not the end? Especially if the Blair family is involved.”
“You remember what Eleanor Blair said so confidently – that Elle would return to the Blair family. What if the West family situation was just the opening
I retreated to the living room,
Sophia showed up
settling onto the couch.
“Hey, you’re awake,” she said with a smile. “Get ready for dinner”
Abigail appeared from the room as well. “You won’t believe this – there’s a cruise party coming up, and we can bring family
I looked at them both, still processing what I’d overheard. “What cruise party?”
Before either could answer, a masculine voice called out from the kitchen: “The food’s almost ready. Susan could use some more help in there.‘
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Chapter 188
I froze. That definitely wasn’t Brad’s voice, and it certainly wasn’t any of our security detail.
A man in his fifties emerge from the kitchen, wearing an apron and canying a casserole dish. He had kind eyes and graying hair, and when he saw me, his face lit up with a warm smile..
Susan followed closely behind him, and I noticed something I’d rarely seen before she was blushing
“Elle. Susan said, fidgeting with her hands, this is Malcolm…um, my friend. Malcolm, this is my daughter Elle,”
I stared at Susan in shock. My quiet, reserved mother had a boyfriend? And she’d never mentioned him?
Malcolm set down the casserole and extended his hand to me. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Elle. Susan talks about you all the time.”
I shook his hand numbly, any eyes darting between Susan and Malcolm “Finally? How long have you two…?”
Susan’s blush deepened. “Malcolm, why don’t you go check on the bread in the men?”
He seemed to sense the tension and retreated to the kitchen with a understanding nod
“Mom,” I said slowly, “what the hell is going on?
“Language, Elle, Susan said automatically, then sighed. “I was going to tell you, I just… never found the right moment.”
“The right moment?” I repeated. “How long has this been going on?”
Susan looked down at her hands. “About a month now. We met at the grocery store, and he’s been very kind to me,”
I sank back onto the couch, trying to process this revelation. In the span of a few days, I’d learned I was a Blair family descendant, Tony’s death, and now discovered my mother had a secret boyfriend.
T
“Elle?” Susan asked tentatively. “Are you upset?
Before I could answer, Malcolms voice called out cheerfully: “Ladies, dinner is served!”
Susan
gestured
toward the dining room. “Why don’t we eat first, and then we can talk?”
I followed her into the dining room, where Malcolm had set a beautiful table with more food than I’d seen Susan prepare in years. Many of the dishes Insked unfamiliar – clearly Malcolm’s influence.
“This looks amazing.” Sophia said diplomatically, taking her seat.
Malcolm pulled out a chair for Susan before sitting beside her – a gesture that didn’t escape my notice. The familiarity between them suggested them relationship was more serious than Susan was letting on
“So, Malcolm, Abigail said, ever the conversation starter, “what do you do?”
“I’m a engineer, working for a cruise company,” he replied, serving salad onto Susans plate with practiced ease. “Actually, that’s how I got these tickets for the food festival cruise I mentioned.”
“A food festival cruise? Lasked, finally finding my voice.
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Chapter 188
Malcolm’s eyes lit up. “Not just any festival – were hosting chefs from France, Italy, Japon, and over a dozen other countries. It’s a Global Calitary Experience cruise. I thought it might be fun for you young ladies.”
Sophia and Abigail exchanged excited glances. “Imagine casting cuisines from dozens of countries while sailing on the ocean, Abigail set etumatically.
Malcolm turned to Susan with gentle eyes. “Of course, I’m most hoping. Susan will come. I’d love to have such a beautiful woman as my companion for the
evening.
Susan blushed again and looked down at her plate. I watched this interaction with mixed emotions happiness for Susan, but also a sense of displacement. How had my quiet mother found romance while my men love life was falling apart?
The dinner continued with Malcolm trying to keep the conversation light, telling us about various cruise destinations and the food festival preparations. Susan remained mostly quiet, stealing glances at me as if trying to gauge my reaction.
As we finished eating. I found myself studying Malcolm. He seemed genuinely kind, and the way he looked at Susan suggested real affection,
“The cruise is in three days,” Malcolm said as we cleared the table. “I know it’s short notice, but I’d love for all of you to join us.”
That sounds wonderful,” Abigail said, looking at me hopefully,
I nodded slowly.
“Mom,” I said quietly as Malcolm returned to the kitchen, “are you happy?”
Susan’s face softened. I am, Elle. Malcolm makes me laugh, and he treats me like I matter”
I reached ever and squeezed her hand. “Then I’m happy for you.”
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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.
