Chapter 56
Cliana pared at Huscan for a long moment, her expression umeadable. Then, out of nowhere, she said, “I got a call from the hospital last night. They sole. me Bernie’s condition is worsening She needs to start her third round of theme as soon as possible “
Hudson’s face clouded wer with a mix of guilt and unease,
Eliana added, her tone calm but firm, “But Bemie’s been worded. Her Therapy Center is about to be tom down for redevelopment, and she hasn’t been able to settle her mind enough to start treatment.
“I was going to tell her I had the money now, and that I could renew her lease and lift that burden from her shoulders.”
Her voice trembled slightly at the end, colored by a quiet sorrow. “Dad, that’s why Lagreed to marry Theodore. You promised me that night in the study. You said it yourself. You want to go back on your word now, right?”
Hudson looked deeply awkward, and she glanced toward Belinda as it hoping she might step in. After all, the idea hadn’t been his to begin with–it was Belinda who pushed for it.
Sensing his hesitation, Belinda jumped in, afraid he might cave and hand over the remaining 500 thousand dollars. “Are you seriously saying some outsider is more important than your sister’s future happiness!”
Eliana clenched her jaw and retorted, “Bernie isn’t an outsider. She gave me a second chance at life. Without her, I don’t think I’d even be a functioning human being today.”
Belinda’s expression soured. “What a joke. You were diagnosed with autism at six, I fell for some online ad and sent you to her center. And what came of it? Three years later, she turned you into a hall–finished product.
“You look normal on the outside, but inside, you’re cold and selfish. I should be suing her, not listening to you talk about some second life. And don’t forget who brought you to the world. I’m your mother, your only mother”
“Don’t forget you lost me when I was little,” Eliana snapped. She had no desire to revisit those terrible memories, b
but the anger was boiling over
She continued. “After I was diagnosed, did either of you show me even a shred of love? All you wanted was to get me out of the house. Out of sight, out of
mind, right?”
She still remembered things vividly after being sent to live with Bernice when she was six. For those three years, Hudson and Delinda only called occasionally. They were basically absent. The only reason Belinda chose that Therapy Center was because of its cheap fees.
Of their three children, one had intellectual disabilities, one had autism, so Hudson and Belinda poured all their love and expectations into Hannah. It had been that way before, and it was even more blatant now.
Eliana turned her gaze toward Hannah and said, “Aren’t you always preaching about being an independent woman? Then why are you living off me? Why are you sucking me dry!”
“Ellie, this was Mom and Dad’s decision, I told them I didn’t want the money Hannah replied smoothly, washing her hands of it with just a few words.
Eliana sneered, “I don’t believe you. Unless you swear, right here in front of me, that you truly don’t want the 500 thousand. Swear it, or you will spend your life meeting the wrong men and suffering an unhappy marriage”
“Ellie, you’re being cruel. Hannah gasped, her eyes wide, as if she had been viciously attacked. “Dad, Mom, just give her the money, I don’t want to be cursed by her every day.”
“Give it back? Absolutely not. I’m the one making the call here. The money belongs to Hannah. Belinda turned her fire back on Eliana. “If you dare say one more nasty word to Hannah, I swear I’ll take that card right back.”
Eliana didn’t even bother answering her. Instead, she turned to Hudson, her voice low and steady. “Dad, you and I made this deal. I’m asking you one last time. Are you going to give me the money you promised me or not?”
She knew there was no point arguing with Belinda, but Hudson, weak–willed as he was,
s still had s
some trace of a conscience.
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