Chapter 10
Elora
Late November sun was stingy, barely spreading a thin layer of light across the long table. I downed my lemon water in one gulp and pulled my coat tight as I crossed the first-floor living room.
I just wanted to get out before eight and avoid the person I didn't want to see.
But the moment I reached the archway to the foyer, Lucien emerged from the study. Our eyes collided mid-air. I looked away first.
"Elora."
He stopped me. I sighed inwardly but had to stop, turning to give him a slight bow.
"Mr. Genovese."
He was watching me, his gaze sharp.
Half a minute. Maybe longer.
"If there's nothing else," I tugged at my collar, "I'll head to the shop. Have a good day."
I turned to leave.
"Stop."
A fierce grip yanked my arm. Lucien moved in front of me, his towering frame blocking out all the light from the doorway.
"In such a rush?" He looked down at me, his jawline tight. "'Mr. Genovese.' I've been hearing that for four days now."
I lifted my head to meet his dark gaze, feeling a sourness rise in my throat.
"Keeping things proper is better for both of us."
"Giving me attitude?" He laughed coldly. "Julian Moretti was at your shop again yesterday, wasn't he?"
Hearing his undisguised suspicion, I clenched the lining of my coat, nails nearly piercing flesh, barely holding back the pain surging in my chest.
"He's just a customer..."
His lips pressed into a thin line. No response. That silence suffocated me more than any words could.
"Lucien?" Serena's voice rang out in the entryway. She wore her pale gold hair in an elegant updo, dressed in a beautifully tailored coat, holding a gilt invitation. "Father asked me to deliver the gala invitation... am I interrupting?"
"No. You two talk." I lowered my head, desperate to escape this suffocating space.
"Elora, don't go..." Serena's eyes reddened instantly. "This is my fault... I shouldn't have mentioned Julian visiting your shop. Elora, I'm sorry, I was just worried about you..."
"How could this be your fault? It's her—"
I stopped, my back to them. Hearing Lucien's instinctive defense of her, the wetness in my eyes nearly spilled over.
See, Elora? What are you still hoping for? You'll always be that inferior thing nobody trusts.
I turned around slowly, digging my nails into my palm, choking back the sob in my throat. "Right... not her fault." I looked at Lucien, voice trembling. "You won't even spare a second to hear me out. Lucien, what am I to you?"
Just then, Serena pressed her hand to her chest, face deathly pale, swaying. "Stop fighting... this is all my fault..."
Lucien rushed to steady her. Then he whipped around to look at me, grabbing my wrist, his eyes full of agitation and severity. "You're the one in the wrong. What are you throwing a fit for?" His voice was ice. "Apologize to Serena!"
The pain shooting through my wrist nearly knocked me off balance. I watched his hand gripping Serena tightly, saw the undisguised annoyance in his eyes. This time, I didn't bow my head in compliance like I always did. I stepped back, struggling to pull my hand free.
"I didn't do anything wrong... I won't apologize." I sniffled, forcing the tears back. "You can't make me admit to something I didn't do."
"Enough—all of you stop."
Natalie stepped between Lucien and me. She pressed her hand against Lucien's chest, forcibly pushing him back half a step.
"Lucien, look at yourself. What kind of behavior is this?"
Lucien's chest heaved violently, glaring at me. Finally, he scoffed coldly, released his grip on me, and strode away. Only the three of us women remained in the living room.
Serena's eyes reddened as she hurried to Natalie's side, carefully taking her arm. "Natalie, please don't be angry. Lucien was just worried about me... Actually, I've been thinking, I shouldn't keep disturbing you all. Maybe I should visit less often to avoid misunderstandings..."
She pressed her chest lightly, coughing weakly.
She reminded me of Eleanor. Whenever she framed me, she wore that same false face. I didn't know how Natalie would react—would she accuse me like Brenda did, or would she speak fairly?
The answer came the next second.
Natalie took Serena's hand and patted it.
"Serena. I've watched you grow up. You're like a daughter to me.
But Elora is written into the Genovese registry as a wife.
What I want to see is you two getting along, bringing peace to this family—not family members misunderstanding and suspecting each other. Do you understand?"
Serena's smile froze on her face, her complexion turning deathly pale.
"Natalie, I didn't mean that, I was just concerned..."
"I know." Natalie smiled slightly. "Because you care, I'm reminding you. Lucien's been suspicious since childhood, so we need to make him feel secure, don't we?"
Serena's face went through shades of green and white, her palms clenched tight, but she eventually hung that delicate, vulnerable smile back on her face.
"I understand. Thank you for the guidance...
By the way, there's a gala at Casalesi Manor on Saturday.
I brought the invitations—I hope you'll honor us with your presence. "
She handed the gilt invitation to Natalie. Natalie accepted it and invited her to breakfast.
Serena turned to follow Natalie toward the dining room. As she passed me, she tilted her head slightly, and those eyes—once gentle and fragile—suddenly shot out a cold, venomous gleam.
That look pierced my chest.
Finally, I could go to the shop. I stayed in the blending room all day, numbing myself with tedious checks and essential oil fragrances.
When I returned to the manor late at night, the living room was dead silent. The defenses I'd forced myself to maintain all day collapsed in that moment. I sank exhausted into the sofa, my eyes stinging without warning.
"Don't cry, you useless fool..." I covered my eyes with the back of my hand, but tears still slid down my cheeks.
The next second, a pair of warm, soft hands gently gripped my wrist. I jumped, opening my eyes—it was Natalie.
"You—"
"Oh, poor child..." Natalie sat down beside me, her eyes full of sympathy.
That word "child" hit my heart, making my nose sting instantly. When Grandmother was gravely ill, she used to stroke my hair and call me "child" just like this. The grievance and bitterness I'd held in for days broke free completely.
"Don't be so kind to me." I turned away, sobbing as I wiped my tears. "When you're kind to me, I... I can't hold it together."
Natalie didn't speak. She simply slipped a soft silk handkerchief into my hand, patted my back, and waited patiently for me to calm down.
A few minutes later, I dried my tears, lowering my head awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I lost control."
"Why apologize?"
"Habit..." I smiled bitterly.
"Dear, that's not a good habit." She took my hand. "From now on, every time you want to say sorry, count to three first. If you still think you did something wrong, then say it."
I froze, a warm current flowing through me. "Thank you."
"Look at you, always so polite." She handed me a cup of warm tea. "This morning, I spoke with Serena."
My body tensed instantly. I looked up.
"Relax, dear." Natalie chuckled. "Serena's just spoiled with a childish mentality. She has congenital heart disease—everyone's indulged her since she was little. I've talked to her. She won't act like this anymore."
Though I didn't believe in Serena's so-called "childish mentality," I nodded obediently to maintain peace in the manor. "I understand. I won't hold it against her."
"That's right." Natalie nodded approvingly.
"But—why are you helping me?" I couldn't help asking the question burning in my mind. "After all, in this house, I don't have any backing..."
"Who didn't have a few annoying suitors when they were young?" Natalie waved dismissively. "Besides, you help Lucien sleep soundly—that alone is reason enough to help you. And—"
She smiled, pulling me close, her voice utterly certain. "A child who grew up in muddy hardship yet still maintains sincerity and backbone can't be all that bad. I believe in you, Elora. You need to learn to believe in yourself too."
A long-lost ache and warmth swelled in my chest. In this cold, massive, crisis-ridden manor, having one person willing to believe in me unconditionally and protect me was such a luxury.
I leaned against Natalie's warm shoulder and nodded firmly.
Natalie ordered a late supper brought in. We'd barely taken two bites when Lucien returned. His gaze swept across the table, landed on my face, paused for a moment, then moved away as if nothing had happened.
"Perfect timing." Natalie waved him over with a smile. "Join us."
My fingers tightened around my fork. Lucien didn't move.
"Just send it to the study. I have documents to go through."
Natalie set down her soup spoon, her tone somewhat displeased. "Lucien, sit down. Documents don't have legs—they won't run away."
He sat down after all.
"Lucien, Elora will be very busy these next few days, and Saturday is the Casalesi gala. I need to prepare jewelry. Elora." Natalie winked at me. "How about you handle Lucien's suit?"