The Marvelous Elijah’s Return

His parents are dead

The Subaru Forester sped through the huge open gate, and drove through the yard, into the garage, and then Melina hit the brake pedal hard.

Her little interaction with Elijah had her in all her feelings, and her mood was a mess as she pushed the car door open and stepped out onto the concrete of the front walk. In front of her was a two-stories, enormous fancy mansion with glass panes and a white wraparound porch. Palm trees were lining the driveway and an immaculate flower bed along the side.

The frown she had on didn’t leave her face even after she got to the front door of the mansion and hit the doorbell.

As she was about to ring it for the second time, someone opened the door, and she was met by a tall man in his late sixties with graying hair that wore a light black three-piece suit with a tie that matched his neatly brushed hair perfectly. “Miss Melina, how lovely for you to visit… Good morning.” The butler spoke quietly, a smile plastered on his face.

With a sour expression on her face, she pushed past him, entering the house as she asked,” Where is my grandmother?!”

Butler Gary shook his head at her rudeness, even though it wasn’t the first of its kind, and he closed the door before facing her.

“Madam Jewel is inside the living room, Miss Melina.” He replied politely. “And my parents?” Melinda raised her voice a bit at that last question.

“Your father has left for work, I believe, and your mother… Well, I haven’t seen her this morning, to be honest.”

“Well, take me to my grandmother!”

Melina’s aggressive and demanding ways were nothing strange to Grey because he had served the Hayes family, long before Melina or any of the grandchildren were born… long before Mr. Hayes betrayed his wife.

“Sure, Miss Melina. Please follow me.” Butler Gary responded calmly as he walked past her.

It didn’t take long for them to get to the all-white, marble living room, and when Melina saw her grandmother, sitting on a chaise lounge in the middle of the room with one leg crossed over the other, a book in her lap, she rushed past Butler Grey. “Melina,” Madam Jewel looked up, eyes narrowed and mouth pressed into a thin line.

She set down the book and stood from her seat, her eyes never left Melina’s figure as she asked, “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in the office… at work.”

“Grey, leave us!” Melina ordered without looking away from her grandmother. After bowing slightly to Madam Jewel, Grey turned away from both of them and walked out of the living room.

she looked displeased with her, Melina stopped herself and looked at her

two women stood there

deeply and sat back down on the couch, and then she motioned for Melina to sit beside

whatever lecture Madam Jewel was going to give her.

grandmother’s gaze.

lowlife because of some stupid bet with Jessica that it was going to end badly, and yet

she remained quiet and let

always been like this… stubbornly refusing everything I tell you to do. Is it because your father

you are so

it was a couple of million dollars bet. Of course, you didn’t expect me to not agree to marry that guy. And I’m sorry that it ended like this, but I don’t regret it.” Melina muttered, staring at her own hands in her lap. “After all, Jessica has

said, “Also, Jessica’s father is the chairman of TMX incorporation… Their family is not just wealthy, they have an extremely high reputation. Of course, I was going to marry some

was mad about how ugly the situation had been getting recently, she knew Melina was right, and how important her granddaughter’s friendship with the Astors was

would it? To let this thing fade in the background. Did you have to make a spectacle out of a terrible decision on

Melina exclaimed, surprised by her

cockroach you married to still have his name attached to

not just me you should be getting mad at! Peach is now seeing him… She and her mother are hooked up on him. They even have him leeching off them, and he

and her expression grew darker, her

was like that name triggered something in her mind, and soon after, Melina heard Madam Jewel whisper, “Why are Grace

again?

something else. But what I don’t understand is why choose my no-good ex-husband! Are they trying to

“Huh?”

thick with tension between them, and Melina nervously scratched her neck, feeling uncomfortable

and she gave Melina the coldest glare as she asked,” Who is your ex-husband, Melina?! Like… What are his parents’ names? Where is he from? Who

money was the only thought on her mind. She never asked him in-depth about his life, or anything important about him… And she sure as hell wasn’t planning on ever asking about it. “His parents are dead.” Melina lied with a bold face, forcing

no backing and no future prospects.” Madam Jewel scoffed dismissively.

said, remembering the one thing

heard of that family before… That means he’s truly unknown. What makes you think he could be