Chapter 84
HAZEL
FOUR YEARS AGO
Following my suggestion, we eventually found ourselves at Anne’s birthday dinner. Ravel, who had initially been reluctant to attend, wore a persistent frown throughout the journey. On this particular evening, he had enlisted Raymond as his chauffeur, citing the need for alcohol to endure Anne’s company at the dinner.
I held a different perspective on the situation. For some inexplicable reason, I harbored hope that tonight would be a turning point. Perhaps it was my yearning to mend the rift within our family and rekindle the love that had faded.
As the car came to a halt outside the family’s garage, Ravel’s grip tightened on my forearm, preventing me from opening the door. He spoke in a hushed tone, his concern evident. “If, at any point during the dinner, Anne makes you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to inform me. We’ll make our exit as soon as possible.”
I acknowledged his words with a nod, and he gracefully exited the car before circling around to assist me. Together, we approached the grand manor’s entrance. The moment we stepped inside, Ravel took charge, helping me slip out of my jacket and handing it over to the attentive staff. With a gentle touch, he guided me toward the dining room.
As we entered, a radiant Elenor rose from her seat to greet me. She enveloped me in a warm hug, planting kisses on both sides of my cheeks. “You look absolutely stunning in that black dress,” she complimented, and I couldn’t help but smile. “I might have to borrow it the next time I visit your place.”
Ravel, with a playful grin, seized Elenor’s hand and tugged her away. “Give my wife some room to breathe, Elenor,” he teased. “Have you transitioned from stealing my hoodies to borrowing my wife’s dresses now?”
Elenor playfully rolled her eyes at Ravel’s remark and dismissed his interference. “Shut the hell up, Ravel. Sometimes, sisters-in-law need to share clothes, and I’m allowed to borrow,” she retorted with a mischievous grin and directed a glance at me, seeking my validation. “Am I not?”
Unable to suppress my own smile, I nodded in agreement. “Absolutely, you’re more than welcome to borrow anything you like.”
It was a surreal moment, considering Elenor’s upbringing in Southwark. I couldn’t help but marvel at how far we had come. Gathering my composure, I approached Anne and greeted her politely, “Good evening, ma’am.”
Her gaze first settled on Ravel, who maintained a steely glare, before she rose and enveloped me in a hug. There was an unmistakable rigidity in her posture, hinting that this display of affection was primarily for her son’s sake. Nevertheless, I graciously accepted her feigned warmth. As she resumed her seat, I presented her with the small gift box I had been holding.
“Happy birthday, ma’am,” I murmured with a warm smile, hopeful that she would accept the gift.
Anne’s gaze dropped to the bag, and after spotting the brand name on the gift bag, she inquired, “Did you get me a fake Bulgari jewelry?”
I quickly responded, “No, they’re genuine. Ravel assisted me in ordering them.”
Her response was a barely audible scoff, accompanied by a muttered comment meant only for my ears. “Of course, my son bought it.” In reality, Ravel hadn’t purchased the jewelry; I had simply asked for his assistance in making the order to ensure the authenticity of the purchase and avoid potential scams. Every aspect, from the selection to the payment and even the delivery, had been handled by me with my own money.
Returning to my seat, I settled down and turned my attention to the meal before us. As we indulged in the delicious dishes, Anne abruptly cleared her throat, causing all eyes to focus on her. She posed a question that carried the weight of expectation. “What have you decided to do with your life, Elenor?” she inquired, her tone laced with a touch of authority. “You can’t continue spending your time on partying. Perhaps you should consider joining your brother in the company.”
Elenor’s expression soured with visible discontent. “I have no interest in being a part of that company,” she protested, her voice carrying a hint of defiance. “It looks boring, and I don’t want to be a part of it.”
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Feeling a sense of empathy for Elenor and wanting to contribute to the conversation, I decided to offer a suggestion. “Maybe you should consider modeling,” I suggested, my words breaking the collective silence and drawing all eyes toward me. My newfound courage wavered slightly as I realized the attention I had garnered. With a shy smile, I continued, “I mean, you have a passion for fashion and enjoy experimenting with different styles. You stand at an impressive five feet nine inches, and your beauty is undeniable. Why not give modeling a shot? I’m confident you’d excel at it.”
Elenor’s face lit up with a wide, hopeful grin. “That sounds like a lot of fun,” she responded enthusiastically. “I’m willing to give it a try.”
Ravel, ever the voice of reason, pointed his fork at Elenor, offering some sage advice. “You shouldn’t venture into business solely because it seems fun,” he cautioned, his tone carrying a note of concern. “Challenges and tough times are inevitable in any business, and if you’re in it just for the enjoyment, you might find yourself giving up when things get rough.
His advice had a ring of truth to it, but it was met with a cheeky retort from Elenor, who defiantly flashed him her middle finger. Anne, not one to tolerate such behavior, swiftly scolded her.
As the dinner continued, I found a moment to excuse myself, mentioning my intention to use the restroom. Anne directed me upstairs, explaining that one of the bathrooms on the lower floor was currently out of commission due to a leak, and they had cut off the water supply to prevent further issues.
Ravel’s brow furrowed as he sought more information. “How long has it been faulty?” he inquired.”
“Since yesterday, the plumber will be here tomorrow to fix it.” Anne responded tersely, putting an end to the conversation about the faulty bathroom. She returned her focus to her meal, and the dinner continued without further discussion on the
matter.
As I rose from the table, Ravel made a move to accompany me, but I gently shook my head, signaling for him to remain seated. I navigated my way upstairs with the assistance of one of the domestic staff members, eventually locating the
restroom.
After attending to my needs and washing my hands, I stepped out of the restroom, heading back towards the stairs. It was then that a throat cleared behind me, causing me to pivot and discover Anne standing there. Uncertain of what to say, I blurted out the first question that came to mind. “What are you doing up here? Is the dinner over?”
Anne’s reaction was a mixture of surprise and irritation as she arched a skeptical brow at me. “Are you asking me what I am doing in my own house?” she retorted, her tone carrying a touch of annoyance. “Do I require your permission to be anywhere in my own home?”
I shook my head, recognizing that my initial words had come out wrong. “I apologize for the way I phrased that,” I admitted, my voice tinged with regret, and I turned to leave.
However, Anne’s grip on my wrist halted my departure. With a reluctant sigh, I turned back to face her, blinking in exasperation. “Is there something you’d like to say?” I inquired, my patience wearing thin.
Anne’s response was far from reassuring. She hissed her words, making her stance abundantly clear. “Don’t think I will ever accept you,” she declared firmly. “I’m only doing this for my son.”
My exasperation finally reached a breaking point, and I couldn’t contain my frustration any longer. “You made that abundantly clear when you hugged me earlier,” I retorted, my tone more assertive. “And you know what, Anne? I’m exhausted from trying to prove myself to you. It’s been an uphill battle that never seems to end.”
Her eyes narrowed, seemingly offended by my tone. “Are you speaking to me in that manner?” she questioned, her voice cold.
With a firm resolve, I snapped back, “Yes, I am! You’ve made it abundantly clear that you’ll never fully accept me, so why should I keep trying so hard? Anne, I’m married to your son; isn’t it time you accepted that fact?” My frustration and fatigue with her ongoing hostility were evident in my words.
“Let her go!” came the furious, familiar voice of Ravel from the foot of the stairs, a stark contrast to the tension that had enveloped the moment. I shifted my gaze to him just as Anne released her grip on my wrist.
However, Anne’s abrupt release was far from gentle. The sudden force caused me to lose my footing, and before I could
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Chapter 84
regain my balance, I found myself tumbling down the stairs. Panic and confusion engulfed me as everything happened in a
blur.
The world spun as I descended, and the last thing I managed to focus on was Ravel’s anguished expression as he rushed to my side, cradling my head and face. I attempted to speak, to convey the pain I felt, but my tongue felt heavy and uncooperative. Tears welled up in my eyes as the pain intensified, and then everything went dark.