Balfours gaze faltered for a moment as he admired the strength in his sister.
This was his sister, who was bold in her love and hate, capable of both acceptance and letting go She was nothing like Patricia, who only knew how to cry, complain, and play the victim.
Hed really misjudged her before, failing to see how atrocious Patricia was at acting.
Taking a deep breath. Balfour asked, âEllinor, you initially came to work with me to investigate why our mom left the Howard family with you years ago, didnât you?â
âYep, spot-on! Ellinor admitted openly She had nothing to hide now so she might as well lay all the cards on the table.
Balfour let out a sigh and said, âThereâs no need to look into it anymore. Il tell you everything you want to know Ellinor squinted her bright eyes mockingly, âYouâll tell me that our mom messed up, got caught in the act, and was booted out by the Howards?â
Balfour frowned at her, âEllinor, I didnât want to believe it either but I did see Mom leaving a hotel with another man back then.â
Ellinor laughed, âSo seeing is believing? Iâve walked out the front doors of hotels with different men loads of times! By your logic, Ive had something with every single one of them?â
Balfour frowned, âDonât spout nonsense!â
Ellinor rolled her eyes at him dismissively, âNo matter what happened back then, I believe Mom isnât that kind of woman!â
Balfour was heartened to see his sister firmly defending their mother. He nodded. âHmm, I also believe Mom isnât that kind of person. Thatâs why Iâve been having people Investigate the incident over the years. But weâve never been able to find anything conclusive.â
Ellinor was disappointed in Balfour, âJust because you canât find anything doesnât mean thereâs nothing to find! Use your brain; who would gain the most from Mom getting kicked out of the Howard family?
Theyâd be the prime suspect! And you! Youâve taken a thief for your mother and switched sides at the first sign of change!â
Balfour didnât get angry even though his sister was chastising him. But he felt wronged Heâd never seen Xenia as a mother. For years, he was only nice to her because of Patricia, and he barely spoke to her otherwise Not long after Mom left with Ellinor, Xenia showed up with a baby bump, forcing a mamage. Their grandparents, seeing the Howard heir in her belly, reluctantly let her in.
He suspected Xenia framed Mom to marry Dad, but he was just a student then and was powerless to investigate thoroughly.
Later, when he took over from his father, the first thing he did was reopen the case about Momâs supposed infidelity, hoping to clear her name.
Unfortunately, he still couldnât find any evidence of premeditation He told Ellinor there was no evidence and asked her to stop digging Not because he doubted Momâs character, but because he couldnât find the answer, which was just draining his energy and emotions.
So, he didnât want Ellinor to get stuck in the past like him, consumed by his failure to protect Mom and Ellinor Without refuting Ellinorâs accusations Balfour just sighed and asked âEllinor, where did you and Mom go after she took you away? Why havenât you been living with Mom all these years?â
When asked why she hadnât stayed with Mom; Ellinorâs expression became complex as her brows slightly furrowed, Iâm not sure. I have a blurry memory of that time. All I know is Mom left me with the Mendoza family, and then she disappeared without a trace.â