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.

need motherly love as I did when I was a child, lost and alone in the

grown attached to me because my looks remind me of your younger self. Don’t get me wrong, I am honored to look like you. I can’t wait to

Amelia along,

know the way, Mrs. Hutton. Please, don’t

outstretched arm fell limply

way

calling, she

“Hello?”

deep

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

found her, and

Eleanor clutched the phone tightly. “Isn’t cruelly giving up on her over twenty years ago not enough? If you’re intending on hurting her again, you

know that I have arrived in Beshya. If you

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

Tiffany emerged from the kitchen with a bowl 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

jumped in fright. “Are you all right,

smiled apologetically at the sight of Tiffany’s alarm. “Did I frighten you,

shook her head. “I’m fine, Mrs. Hutton. You don’t look too good, though. Why don’t you have a seat

to. Please tell Lia that I would come by again when I

Eleanor had already disappeared next door, prompting the

mother out into the living room by the hand. “Tiff, is that you?”

over and picked Tony up in one arm

earlier?” Amelia asked concernedly. “I

shoulder when she looked at me like

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

you’re still worried, we could go over

moment’s thought, Amelia

the hand out of their apartment over to

the doorbell, the