all Off The Engageme
Chapter 6 Call Off The Engagement
Kara gave Tyler a puzzled look, then grabbed her phone. The top headline read: [Chris Langford Spotted With Alleged Lover.]
She tapped it open and saw photos of Chris hugging Serena, kissing her, and sitting by her bedside, all tender and affectionate while Serena wore a hospital gown.
Kara’s face shifted through a whole range of expressions. She pressed her hand to her lips, cleared her throat, then said, “Men fool around sometimes, and the media always blows things out of proportion. Eleanor, you shouldn’t take this to heart.”
Tyler snorted. “So by that logic, Caden gets a free pass to mess around too, huh? I looked into it–this girl in the photos is Serena, the Donovan family’s adopted daughter.
“That’s her,” Eleanor said softly. “Chris has had feelings for her since he was young. He was never fully into me anyway. Now that she’s back… it’s time for me and Chris to end things.”
Kara frowned slightly, something clicking in her mind. She turned to Arthur. “Dad, something feels off. Chris and Eleanor were doing fine; and the engagement was just
around the corner.
“Now this? Sounds to me like someone’s trying to stir the pot. Some people just can’t stand to see us doing well.”
Arthur was already seething from the photos. Kara’s comment only fanned the flames. “You know exactly what kind of man your son is. Quit pretending. Call him. I want him. back here–right now.”
“I’ll do it.” Tyler pulled out his phone, hit dial, and put it on speaker.
A few rings later, Chris’s voice came through. “Tyler, I told you, I’m not coming back. Serena needs me right now, and I’m not leaving her. If you want me home so bad, tell Eleanor to come here and apologize.”
Tyler hung up and let out a sharp laugh. “That’s your son talking, Kara. So tell me again, what exactly is wrong with Eleanor coming to me for help?”
Kara was at a loss for words. After a long pause, she finally said, “Of course there’s something wrong with that. I’m her future mother–in–law. If there’s a problem, I should be the one fixing it.
“Fixing it? Tyler raised an eyebrow. “That’s exactly why she didn’t come to you. Eleanor needs someone on her side. She wants to call off the engagement.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Kara snapped. “They’re about to get engaged. What, are we just going to let people laugh at us now?”
Truth was, Kara never liked Eleanor much. And after learning Eleanor had once saved Tyler’s life, she liked her even less.
Chapter 6 Call Off The Engagement
But that didn’t mean Eleanor wasn’t useful. As far as Kara was concerned, Eleanor could be a handy little chess piece against Tyler. No way she was letting her walk away so easily.
“Dad,” Kara said, switching tactics, “didn’t you always say you wanted Eleanor as your granddaughter–in–law? Talk to her, will you?”
Eleanor took a deep breath, her nose stinging, eyes welling up with tears. She looked. at Arthur and said, “Arthur, I know you’ve always treated me kindly.
“But Chris hit me… over another woman. Look–my face is still swollen. And five years ago, on my birthday, I saw them kissing. You’ve always cared about me. Can you really stand by and watch me get hurt like this?”
“Five years ago?” Arthur looked stunned. Then his gaze landed squarely on Kara.
“Don’t look at me like that, Dad. I didn’t know,” Kara said quickly. “And anyway, dating and marriage are two different things. Chris is a guy–he’ll be fine.
“But Eleanor, you’re a girl. Getting dumped like this could ruin your chances at finding. someone else. Have your parents even said anything? Are they okay with this?”
“Kara, I really did want to be your daughter–in–law,” Eleahor said softly. “But that woman..
she’s not just anybody. She’s my adoptive sister. Her father died saving me. How could I possibly take away the person she loves? They deserve their chance.”
I
“I’ve thought about this,” Tyler chimed in. “If Serena’s part of the Donovan family, and she and Chris really do love each other, then maybe it’s time we just let them be.”
“Marriage isn’t something you just throw away,” Kara said, clearly losing her cool.” Eleanor, what do your parents think?”
“They don’t want Serena getting hurt, Eleanor answered. “But they feel awkward about facing you all, so I had to come alone.
“Don’t worry–Serena’s always been the golden child, way savvier than I ever was. The only hiccup is she’s not blood–related, but honestly? That’s barely even a thing these -days.
Kara frowned and turned to Arthur, hoping he’d step in and settle things.
Arthur, after that initial wave of anger, had started to calm down. He watched Eleanor closely. Her pain was real. But in her eyes… there was no trace of hesitation, not lingering attachment.
He remembered how she used to talk about Chris–with that sparkle in her he was her whole world. But now? Arthur let out a long sigh, thinking to himself,” Guess there’s no chance Eleanor will be part of this family anymore.
r eyes,
like
He said, “Eleanor, how’s that massage training going? My shoulders have been killing me lately, Come on, let’s get some sun and do a little treatment in the yard.”
“Okay.” Eleanor nodded.
20
Chapter & Call Off The Engagement
She followed Arthur out to the yard. About half an hour later, Eleanor helped him back inside. There was a quiet sense of relief on her face.
“Dad,” Kara started to speak, but Arthur just waved her off.
“This meal? Forget it. Tyler, take Eleanor home.” Then after a pause, he added, “The invitations have already gone out. No point taking them back now. Tyler, when your have time, go check on the hospital.”
“Yeah,” Kara jumped in. “As parents, we really can’t say too much to Chris. The more we talk, the more he’ll push back. You’re his uncle–and the head of our family. It’s best if you handle this.”
“Got it.” Tyler turned to Eleanor. “You sure you don’t want to stay and eat first?”
“No,” Eleanor said. “After everything that’s happened, staying here would just feel awkward. Arthur, thank you for understanding. I’ll be going now.”
Once they stepped outside, Tyler asked, “What did you say to my dad?”
“Nothing important,” Eleanor said quietly. “I just cried the whole time. Toward the end,
he said, ‘Kids will live their own lives. Do what you feel is right.”
“If Chris and Serena don’t end up together,” Tyler said, “you’ll still be forced into marrying him. So fine, I’ll be the bad guy if that’s what it takes to help you out.”
Eleanor had a feeling Tyler actually seemed kind of happy when he said that. But when she looked at him closely, his face was as cold as ever. ‘Maybe I was just imagining it, she thought.
“I actually have a way out of this, Tyler,” Eleanor said.
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