Chapter 5

[Elara]

After leaving the hospital, I head back to Cora’s school. Being the last day before the holidays begin, she only had a half day.

When the car pulls up outside the already open school gates, I smile at the adorable face of my daughter, who’s already hurrying toward me.

“Hey,” I hug her tight, trying my best not to look as devastated as I feel after hearing about the condition of her heart. Dr. Wilson reminded me before I left that as long as Cora is happy and stays away from stress and exertion, she should be fine.

But that doesn’t mean I can rest. I need to see Damon today—at any cost.

“Mommy, we had a handwriting competition in class today,” she chirps, waving a certificate at me. “I won first place! Are you proud of me?”

My heart fills with so much love and pride that I can barely hold back my grin.

I kiss her cheeks. “Oh my, darling. Mommy’s always proud of you. You are my sweet angel, after all.”

She giggles, kissing me back. “Mommy, let’s go and celebrate. I want to have the chocolate milkshake you make.”

Chocolate milkshake it is,” I stand up and guide her towards the car. “But only if you promise to eat something proper first.”

“I will! I’ll even eat broccoli if you make the milkshake extra chocolatey.”

“Deal.”

When we reach home, Cora runs straight to her room to change while I head to the kitchen to prepare her lunch. Once I’m done and Cora is occupied with her plate, I call Gwen.

Gwen Gold is a college student I often contact when I need someone to watch over Cora in my absence. Although several maids and helpers around the house could do the same job, Cora feels far more comfortable with Gwen. Ever since Cora turned three, Gwen has been an important part of her life.

Gwen picks up on the second ring. “Hello, Mrs. Blackwood. How have you been?”

“I’m good. How were your exams? I heard the mocks were really hard this year.”

“Mocks were okay, but my exams went great. I was actually waiting for your call. If not for you, I would’ve probably dropped by with some lame excuse anyway.”

I smile at her honesty and cheerfulness. “You don’t need an excuse to see Cora, Gwen. You can come by anytime you’re free.”

“You’re too kind to me, Mrs. Blackwood. So, when do you need me?”

I glance at Cora, who’s completely engrossed in playing with her food. “Tonight, if possible. I have a family dinner to attend. You might have to stay the night, though—with the weather today, I’m not sure I’ll make it back in time.”

“Of course,” she says brightly. “I’ll be there by six. Don’t worry about anything—Cora and I will have fun.”

“Thank you.”

———

“Make sure she sleeps on time,” I say—probably for the tenth time—while Gwen follows me to the door. “Oh, and don’t get her too active. Maybe watch a movie or something, but go easy on the junk food.”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Blackwood. I’ll take good care of Cora.”

I know she will, but that doesn’t stop the worry gnawing at me. I’ll be gone the whole night, and I can’t help but feel uneasy.

“I came prepared with snacks for Cora. They’re all homemade,” she says, and I feel slightly better. “You go and have some fun.”

Little does she know that having fun is the last thing on my mind.

The drive to the Blackwood residence takes an hour. During that time, I try multiple times to call Damon, but—as expected—he doesn’t answer. This time, though, it might not be because of his indifference toward me. It’s probably because of one of the major rules set by his grandparents: no phones during meals.

I check the time once again. It’s almost time for dinner. Hopefully, I can talk to Damon without being seen by anyone. If I did, it would be a little harder for me to explain to Damon afterward.

When the car pulls up, the guards at the entrance greet me.

“Is Damon here?” I ask one of them.

He nods. “Sir is inside with everyone. They are all gathered in the main hall.”

Main hall. That means they are all probably done with dinner.

Good thing. Now Damon will probably be able to spare me some minutes.

“Ask him to meet me at the back lawn. Tell him it’s urgent.”

He nods and then leaves.

I, on the other hand, take the long route, one that avoids the main hall, and head straight for the back lawn.

I’m passing by one of the study room windows when I hear Hannah’s familiar voice.

“Do you think he’ll sign it?” she says, sounding a little more than just concerned.

“Of course he will,” the other person in the room—who sounds like Damon’s mother, Beatrice—replies. I could never mistake her condescending tone for anyone else’s. “No matter how ruthless he pretends to be in public, Damon’s still the same boy who can’t say no to his mother. He’ll do what I tell him to.”

“But what about Grandpa and Grandma? The way they reacted to Elara’s absence just now—it’s as if she’s all they care about. They’ll never approve of this.”

“To hell with those senile old tyrants. They’ve interfered long enough. If not for them, that cursed woman and her brat would’ve been out of this family years ago.”

“Madam Blackwood, she’s still my sister, though…”

“Your sister, yes—but one who never knew her place. She could never hold a candle to you, dear. You, at least, have given this family something of worth—a son. That alone makes you far more deserving of the title Mrs. Damon Blackwood.”

My pulse spikes. A son? Did I hear that right? Is Hannah’s child—Danny—actually Damon’s?

“You flatter me, Madam Blackwood,” Hannah says with a nervous chuckle. “If I do marry into this family, I promise you—I’ll make sure you never regret it.”

“I know you won’t.” She hugs my sister. “You’ve already done so much for us. I couldn’t ask for more.”

They pull away.

“So, about the divorce…” Hannah trails off.

“Leave that to me," Beatrice hums, tapping her fingers against a glass. "I know exactly how to deal with my son. Once I get that woman out of his life for good, there’ll be nothing—and no one—standing between you, Damon, and your rightful place. And when that happens…” She lets out a low, satisfied chuckle. “My grandson will take his place as the Blackwoods’ heir. As he should.”

They leave the room, while I still stand there, still trying to process everything I just heard.

It’s probably because of the shock that I don’t hear someone appearing behind me.

“What the hell are you doing here?”