Chapter 3

Suddenly, the silence was broken by Ella's sobs. Tears continuously fell from her reddened eyes, and her nose had turned red as well.

She looked quite pitiful.

"Silvia, are you… driving me out?" Ella covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Then, she turned to Gregory, saying helplessly, "Gregory, what do we do? You promised me that you'd explain everything to Silvia, but even now, she refuses to believe me."

Gregory patted Ella's head, comforting her. His jaw was tense as he stared intently at Silvia.

His brows were tightly knitted, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. He had obviously lost his patience.

When Silvia saw that, she suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.

Before she could explain herself, a friend was already scolding her. "Silvia, that's too much! If you drive Ella out right now, where is she going to stay? She'll be all alone out there, and she's still so young! What if something happens to her? How could you bear to do such a thing?"

With a look of compassion, Tessa pleaded on Ella's behalf, "Just forget it, Silvia. Can't you see how sad Ella is right now? Also, she's still so young. What is she going to do if you drive her out?"

Silvia stared at her friend of many years. Back then, Tessa fell for a scam and lost her life savings. Silvia was the one who had given Tessa all the money she had saved up so Tessa would have a place to stay.

Back then, Tessa's eyes were brimming with gratitude as she hugged Silvia and called Silvia her best friend. But now, she was turning against Silvia, reprimanding her in defense of her sister who had kissed her fiance.

Silvia stared at the woman who had been friends with her since their youth, feeling a vast emptiness inside her heart. "Tessa, I know we're close, but this is a family matter. Moreover, I'm moving out, so this house—"

Before she could finish speaking, Gregory cut her off, "Enough, Silvia. Tessa was just speaking up for Ella. Also, Ella is your sister, so this is her house, too."

He comforted Ella in a soft voice, then glared at Silvia. "At the end of the day, you're still holding a grudge over what happened between Ella and me. No matter how hard we try to explain ourselves, you'll never believe us.

"But she's still so young. If something's bothering you, just come to me. There's no need to take it out on her."

Having been cut off, Silvia realized she couldn't get a say anymore. She pursed her lips, suddenly losing the will to even speak.

When Gregory realized that Silvia wasn't talking, his frown deepened.

Ella timidly approached Silvia, then took her hand and pleaded, "Silvia, please stop being mad at me. I promise I'll stop talking to Gregory. You're the only family I have left. If you abandon me, I'll really have nowhere to go."

Silvia didn't say anything, but she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her hand. She instinctively tried to shake her hand free, sending Ella stumbling back and falling hard onto the floor.

Silvia reached out to help Ella up, but Gregory shoved her away. "Don't touch her!"

She had never seen Gregory lose his cool like that. His worried expression, trembling hands, and concerned whispers seemed to prick ceaselessly at her heart.

"Gregory, my ankle hurts. I think I might have sprained it…" Ella frowned.

Gregory immediately picked her up in his arms. Before he left, he glared at Silvia. "I'm getting her some help. In the meantime, you should calm down and think things through on your own."

After a pause, he added, "Silvia, I'm really disappointed in you."

Out of view, Silvia's hand twitched a little. She sniffled quietly, trying to ease the stinging sensation in her nose.

The crowd didn't say a word as they watched on, but they were all looking at Silvia in condemnation.

Tessa suggested, "Why don't we all accompany Ella to the hospital? We'll celebrate her birthday elsewhere."

Someone agreed, "Sure. The mood is completely ruined at this point, anyway. What rotten luck! About time we turn things around, huh?"

As Silvia endured their glares and listened to their loaded remarks, she suddenly felt indignation welling up inside her. ''Are you done talking? If you are, the door's that way. After all, at the end of the day, I own this house."

A guy who had been trying to win Ella's heart said in disgust, "Huh! Why are you talking like we all want to be here? If it weren't for Ella, I wouldn't even be stepping foot in this place.

"You're just jealous because Ella is more popular than you, anyway. I can't believe an old hag is trying to compete for attention. How disgusting!"

Silvia saw Gregory stiffen for a moment. However, he didn't turn around as he silently left with Ella in his arms.