Veronica looked puzzled and asked, âThatâs bizarre. Iâm stumped too. Ellinor, how on earth did you wind up with the Howards? And Balfour seems to be treating you pretty well too. Does he have some fishy ideas? Is he trying to worm his way in while you and my brother are at odds?â
Marissa echoed her granddaughterâs concerns and also looked wary. She was worried her precious granddaughter-in-law would be snatched away by the Howards. âEllinor, is it really like that? Does that Howard guy have some shady intentions towards you?â
Ellinor gave a wry smile. âMarissa, itâs not what youâre imagining. Mr. Howard doesnât have those kinds of thoughts about me.â
She wasnât ready to tell them about her relationship with the Howards.
Staying with the Howards was just a stopgap. She didnât plan to acknowledge any kinship with them for real.
Furthermore, the misunderstanding between her and Theo hadnât been cleared up yet. She didnât want to throw a spanner in the works.
The feud between the Blanchets and the Howards was an old story. If the Blanchets knew she was a Howard child, they might not agree to her marriage with Theo anymore.
Marissa tightly held Ellinorâs hand and whispered, âEllinor, donât be so naive. How could a grown man be nice to a girl for no reason? I believe heâs got dishonorable intentions or sees some use in you. I think itâs better if you come home with me.â
Ellinor knew Marissa meant well, but she still couldnât go back to the Blanchet Villa yet. âMarissa, youâre overthinking. Actually, Theo agreed to me staying here!â
Marissa was taken aback. âTheo agreed? That guyâs got some nerve. How could he let his wife stay in another manâs house? If he werenât my own grandson, Iâd say he deserves to be a bachelor for life.â
Ellinor let out a dry laugh. âMarissa, Theo thinks Iâm safer here. Heâs met Mr. Howard. Donât worry, thereâs absolutely nothing between Mr. Howard and me like youâre worrying about.â
Marissa could tell that Ellinor had no plans to go back with them. She could only sigh in regret. âEllinor, if you want to stay here, I canât force you to leave, but I want you to take care of yourself. Also, I hope youâll give Theo another chance; he really cares about you. Thereâs absolutely nothing between him and Sophia. I swear. If Iâm lying, I hopeâ¦â
Noticing that Marissa was about to make a vow, Ellinor quickly covered her mouth. âMarissa, Iâve already forgiven him. When he comes back from abroad, Iâll go back with him, so donât worry.â
Marissaâs mouth was covered, but her eyes lit up with surprise. âEllinor, are you serious? Youâre planning to make up with Theo?â
Ellinor nodded. âYes, Iâm serious.â
Marissa was overjoyed. âThatâs fantastic! Now that you two have made up, I can rest easy. By the way, does Theo know about this?â
A blush crept up Ellinorâs cheeks. âHe should know.â
How could he not know?
Sheâd been worried sick about him going abroad and threw caution to the wind recently. All she wanted to do was keep in touch with him.
If she guessed right, he must be feeling pretty smug lately.
But she couldnât care less. All she wanted was for him to come back safe. As long as he came back safe, she was willing to get back together with him.
Ever since she heard about the explosion he was involved in, she understood what it felt like to have oneâs heart torn apart. She realized her feelings for him were out of her control.
Nothing in this world was more important than his safety.