Love You Enough to Leave You

Chapter 370 The Understanding Son

Amelia argued with her mother. For three days afterward, she did not visit her neighbor. Though Eleanor still dropped by every single day to visit the other Amelia and her grandchild, she always seemed distracted. Her fragmented presence was not lost on Amelia whenever her guest dropped by.

“Mrs. Hutton, have you been arguing with Amelia?” she asked.

Eleanor jerked out of her reverie with a start. “She has been spoiled by me,” she admitted with a helpless smile. “It’s just a child’s tantrum. It’ll pass. She’ll be back to her old self very soon.”

“Quarrels between mother and daughter shouldn’t last this long, Mrs. Hutton,” voiced Amelia worriedly. “It has been three days since Amelia last visited. She wouldn’t be upset with me, would she? I’m afraid she might be jealous that you’re spending more time with me instead of with her.”

“Nonsense,” cried Eleanor. “You’re her sister. Why would she be jealous of you?”

“But I’m not her biological sister, am I?”

“You are! I mean, no, you’re not,” stammered Eleanor, flustered. “Don’t overthink it, all right? She’s just not used to not being at the center of attention and is merely acting out.”

Amelia averted her eyes to hide the sudden burst of emotion welling up within her.

“Mrs. Hutton, why don’t you go home to Amelia? I have kept you long enough.”

Eleanor edged closer to Amelia and took her hand. “Lia, are you angry with me? Don’t mind Amelia. I genuinely think of you as my daughter.”

Smiling warmly, Amelia replied, “Mrs. Hutton, I appreciate your love and kindness, but we are not related by blood. To be honest, your enthusiasm feels a little overbearing.”

At that, sadness flashed across Eleanor’s eyes. “Lia, are you sick of me?”

“That’s not what I meant, Mrs. Hutton. There is no need for you to treat me like a child. I have my own life to lead and a son to raise. My blindness does not cloud my judgment; the kindness with which you have given me feels like something more than neighborly affection. Tiff has said that we look alike. If it weren’t for the fact that I know who my parents are, I would have believed that I am the daughter you have lost all those years ago.”

“No, Lia,” Eleanor said desperately as she clutched the younger woman’s hand. “You are actually my… my…” The final word seemed to be stuck in her throat.

Amelia’s ears pricked hopefully, ready to hear the answer she secretly yearned for. However, Eleanor appeared to decide against completing the sentence, which disappointed Amelia.

As a result of Eleanor’s hesitation, any hope Amelia had in reconnecting with her mother vanished.

I did when I was a child, lost and

me wrong, I am honored to look

up to help Amelia along, but the latter

way, Mrs. Hutton. Please,

arm fell limply to

way to the bedroom, Eleanor’s

it was her husband calling, she answered the phone with

“Hello?”

you?” Benjamin’s deep

a deep breath, she asked with forced calmness, “What do

her, and now you’re learning to lie to me.” Benjamin’s voice shook with

her over twenty years ago not enough? If you’re intending

called to let you know that I have arrived in Beshya. If you return to Saspiuburg with me at once, I can perhaps forgive

held the phone against her ear, began to tremble violently as she fought

of freshly cut fruit. At the sight of Eleanor, who was looking slightly green, Tiffany hurried over and was about to touch her shoulder when Eleanor screamed, “Don’t touch me! Don’t even think about hurting

“Are you all right, Mrs.

at the sight of

You don’t look too good, though. Why don’t you

Please tell Lia that I would come

already disappeared next door, prompting the former to turn back in

hand. “Tiff, is that you?”

Tony up in one arm before leading Amelia to the couch with the

was going on with Mrs. Hutton earlier?” Amelia asked concernedly. “I

look too good. I was about to pat her on the shoulder when

at the news. As she had grown fond of Eleanor, it hurt her to hear that the old lady was in

you’re still worried, we could go over and pay

a moment’s thought,

led Amelia by the hand out of their apartment over to the entrance

least three rings on the