Chapter 1289
“But Karlee’s romantic exploits make her mother’s escapades look innocent by comparison. It’s genuinely disturbing. No one can rein her in. Recently, she decided she wanted a sex change operation just to experience life as a man. And between us, Karlee and Amilia are what drove Edgar to his sickbed. Edgar and Elsie are extraordinary people, and they’re utterly baffled by how they ended up with a daughter and granddaughter like that. It sours their mood every single day.”
After absorbing the messages, Elliana’s mouth curved into a bitter smile. Where in the world had Maxine unearthed Amilia? Amilia’s genetic lottery was a complete disaster. She had been gifted the coveted Thompson daughter title—a status countless women would commit murder to possess—and she’d managed to torch her life into ashes anyway.
Elliana couldn’t fault Edgar and Elsie. She’d be furious too if fate had cursed her with a daughter like that.
The disturbance downstairs escalated, followed by the thunderous pound of footsteps charging up the staircase.
“Bexley, show yourself!” a shrill, girlish voice knifed through the bedroom door.
Terror flashed across Rita’s face. She spun toward Elliana, her voice dropping to a desperate whisper, “I’ll deal with this. Please, just stay here and don’t come out.”
Rita didn’t fear Amilia and Karlee themselves—she feared the embarrassment of her daughter witnessing her being mistreated by those two malicious women. And she dreaded that Elliana might be targeted just because of her.
As Rita turned to leave, Elliana’s hand snapped out, her fingers locking firmly around her mother’s wrist.
“Mom,” she said, her voice quiet but steel-edged, “let me handle this.”
Something lethal sharpened in her gaze. Amilia and Karlee had tormented her mother for ten agonizing years. Today, they would face their reckoning.
“Elliana, don’t,” Rita pleaded, her eyes widening as she realized her daughter’s intentions.
“I know you’re furious on my behalf, but please, don’t seek revenge. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson saved my life—I owe them a debt I can never repay. I can’t wage war against their family. It would put them in a terrible position.”
In that moment, Elliana finally understood. This was why her mother—once so fierce and unbreakable—had endured a decade of degradation at the hands of Amilia and Karlee. Out of gratitude to Edgar and Elsie, who had pulled her from death’s door, Rita had swallowed every scrap of pride and yielded, time after time, to their insufferable daughter and granddaughter.
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Elliana grasped that Rita had put up with harsh treatment for years, all because she felt she owed Edgar and Elsie too much to complain.
While Elliana understood why Rita stayed silent, watching her endure it was unbearable—especially when Rita was the real Thompson daughter. Today, Elliana was ready to shake things up.
“Elliana, please. Listen first,” Rita said quickly, grabbing Elliana’s hand when she saw the stubborn look in her eyes.
“Edgar and Elsie saved my life. They’ve shown me nothing but kindness. I can’t cause them any trouble. Edgar’s health is fragile. Even a little stress could put him in danger. That’s why Kaleb went all out to find Milena.”
After a brief pause, Rita added, “I’m not lying. Edgar and Elsie have treated me like family. Years ago, they even talked about making me their goddaughter, but Amilia threw a fit and threatened to hurt herself, so they let it go. But titles aside, Edgar and Elsie have loved me like a daughter all this time. I can’t turn my back on that.”
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