This abrupt statement from Lea drew all eyes onto her.
Marlinie, curious, asked with a grin, âWhat did you mean by âdifferent; Lea?â
Lea took a few steps forward and looked up at the towering figure of Theo. âI mean, Marcusâ behavior in front of Ellinor is completely different from how he acted around Sophia.â
At the mention of Sophia, a look of distaste flashed in Theoâs eyes.
Concerned for her daughterâs well-being and wanting to know if this man could be trusted, Marlinie pressed further. âIs that so? How are they different?â
After a moment of thought, Lea replied, âHis entire demeanor has changed. When Marcus is with Sophia, heâs cold, terse, and lifeless. He canât even be bothered to give her a second glance. But with Ellinor, heâs so gentle, caring, animated, and polite.â
A half-smile appeared on Ellinorâs face. She thought that Lea was exaggerating a bit. From the moment they had arrived, Theo had barely said a word. How was that being gentle?Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updatesâ¦
Marlinie turned her gaze back to Theo. âMy dear, Iâve heard about your troubles. Please have a seat.â
Instead of accepting the invitation, Theo let go of Ellinorâs hand, saying, âI apologize. I need to step away for a moment.â
He then turned and left without saying another word to Ellinor.
Ellinor was left standing there alone. She didnât even have a chance to ask what was wrong before he was already striding out the door.
With a furrowed brow, she felt a wave of unease wash over her. But she couldnât just leave her mother and chase after him.
Lea blinked in confusion. âUh, what just happened? Why did Marcus leave? Did I upset him with what I said?â
Bertha quickly stepped forward to apologize to Ellinor. âIâm sorry, Ellinor. Lea can be a bit thoughtless with her words; maybe she said something to upset Mr. Blanchet. I really am sorry.â
Ellinor shook her head. âNo. Lea didnât say anything wrong. Bertha, itâs not your fault.â
Then, she absentmindedly took a seat next to her motherâs hospital bed. âMom, have you been feeling any better these past couple of days?â Marlinie, still unsettled by the recent events, shook her head.
âIâm fine, Pearl. What about Mr. Blanchet? Do you want to go find him?â
Ellinor was, in fact, a bit miffed. She had brought him to meet her mother, and he had left without warning.
Did he not care about her or her family?
Aside from her children, she didnât have much family left in the world. He couldnât even show her treasured mother the slightest bit of respect?!
Fine, let him leave!
Humph!
âMom, donât worry about him. He probably just went to the restroom. Letâs chat; heâll probably be back in a bit.â
Marlinie finally relaxed a bit. She didnât want her presence to interfere with her daughterâs relationship.