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.

expression that she looked displeased with her, Melina stopped

women stood there awkwardly, neither

deeply and sat back down on the couch, and then she motioned for

in her lap and waited for whatever lecture Madam Jewel was going to give her.

grandmother’s gaze.

marry that lowlife because of some stupid bet with Jessica that it was going to end badly, and yet here we are.” Madam Jewel said, shaking

feel uneasy, but she

from you…” She continued. “You’ve always been like this… stubbornly refusing everything I

you are so stubborn, isn’t

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

is the chairman of TMX incorporation… Their family is not just wealthy,

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

have seen the news… Couldn’t you allow this entire matter to go? It wouldn’t kill you, would it? To let this thing fade in the background. Did you have to make a spectacle out

Melina exclaimed, surprised

need that cockroach you married to still have his name attached to our family and keep

him… She and her mother are

name, “Peach,” made madam Jewel stiffen, and her expression

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

again?

understand is why choose my no-good ex-husband! Are they trying to join forces…” Melina paused,

“Huh?”

those words. The air was thick with tension between them, and Melina nervously scratched her neck, feeling uncomfortable being under her

Jewel broke the silence, and she gave Melina the coldest glare as she asked,” Who is your

life, or anything important about him… And she sure as hell wasn’t planning on ever asking about it. “His parents

he’s just a nobody with no backing and no future prospects.” Madam Jewel scoffed dismissively. “What’s his last

one thing she did ask

That means he’s truly unknown. What makes you think