Ellinor got a bit of a headache. She rubbed her temples, trying to alleviate the tension. âWhat do you want me to do, Veronica? Scream and shout? Throw a tantrum?â
Veronica pouted. âNo, but you seem so detached. Itâs not like youâve been waiting for my brother to show up for the past three years.â
Ellinor couldnât be bothered to explain. She handed Adrian over to Belinda and chose a window seat in the car. She gazed out of the window, lost in her own thoughts.
Veronica wanted to follow her and ask about her plans, but Chase stopped her. âMs. Blanchet, youâll have plenty of time to talk to Ellinor once we get home. Letâs give her some space for now.â
Seeing the troubled look on Ellinorâs face, Veronica agreed and joined Belinda to take care of Adrian.
Balfour sat next to Ellinor, caressing her head with a worried look. âSoon, weâll bring him back to you.â
Ellinor glanced at Balfour. âNow that Thaddeus is here, it might not be that easy.â
Balfour smiled gently. âNo matter how difficult it gets, Iâll find a way to help you.â.
Ellinorâs eyes dimmed. She had decided to handle this issue by herself, but she would need Balfourâs assistance.
Meanwhile, Bertha, having fled the restaurant with her daughter, Lea, hailed a cab and left in a rush.
Thaddeus, held back by Sophia, had lost some time and couldnât catch up with Bertha. He cursed his employees for their incompetence and ordered them to search for Bertha throughout the city.
Bertha did not take Lea to a hotel. She knew that any hotel would soon be discovered by Thaddeusâs men. This time, she wasnât throwing a tantrum. She genuinely needed time to think if she still wanted to be with Thaddeus.
So, she called a friend overseas and borrowed a vacant house in Greenhaven to stay in. The house had a password lock which her friend provided, allowing her to enter with ease.
Once inside, Bertha and Lea sat in silence on the sofa.
Lea snuggled against Bertha. âMom, you were so cool today! You finally stood up to Sophia. It was so satisfying!â
Coming back to reality, Bertha looked at Lea and stroked her face. âLea, I misunderstood you earlier and never got the chance to apologize. Iâm sorry.â
Lea shook her head, understandingly. âMom, Iâm not mad at you. I know you didnât do it on purpose.â
The more mature Lea behaved, the more Berthaâs heart ached. In Thaddeusâs eyes, Lea would never be equal to his elder daughter, Sophia.
âLea, all these years Iâve made you compromise for Sophia. Youâve suffered a lot. I wonât let it happen again. You donât have to give in to anyone. Just be yourself.â
Lea blinked. âSo, Mom, are you really going to divorce Dad this time?â
Bertha sighed, not answering the question. She had to admit she still loved Thaddeus, but she didnât want Lea to suffer anymore.
Maybe it was time to end this marriage. It would be better for Leaâs mental and emotional health.