Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Eleanor was tense on the way to the hospital, her hands twisted together so tightly that her nails dug deep into her skin. She could pretty much guess what Chris had said.
With how much Linda cared about images, there was no way she could handle this. When Eleanor was little, Linda doted on her–back then, she really knew what a mother’s love felt like. But after Serena came into their lives, everything changed.
Eleanor thought, ‘Now, after all the effort it took to fix things between us, is our relationship about to fall apart again?
Tyler glanced at Eleanor, noticing her anxiety. He reached over, took her hand, and said, “Don’t let your mind run wild. You’re just scaring yourself.”
“Yeah.” Eleanor nodded. “Tyler, have you noticed how Serena always has a pattern? Family, love, friendship–she wants to take everything from me. What did I ever do to her?”
Tyler looked her in the eyes. “What’s truly yours can’t be taken away. Only the things that were never meant to last will leave. I know it sounds harsh, but sometimes, even with family, you have to let go.”
Eleanor turned to stare out the window. “Thanks for saying that.”
“I mean it,” Tyler said. “But honestly, if Linda really loves you, she won’t turn her back on you.”
“She cares a lot about what people think,” Eleanor muttered. “Honestly, I have no idea how this will turn out.”
Tyler said, “What are you so worried about? No matter what, you’ve still got me. And if I find out Chris said anything out of line, I won’t let him off easy.”
When they got to the hospital, Eleanor rushed straight to Linda’s room, only to find Chris pacing nervously outside. The moment she saw him, her anger spiked. She stormed over and snapped, “What are you doing here?”
Chris looked at Eleanor, guilt flickering across his face. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? You think that’s enough?” Eleanor shot back. “What exactly did you say
Chris dropped his gaze, avoiding her eyes. “I… I didn’t really say anything.”
to my mom?”
Eleanor clenched her fists, but before she could say more, Tyler’s voice cut in. “Eleanor, don’t lose your temper.”
Chris looked relieved—at least Tyler was still on the Langford side.
“It wouldn’t look good if a girl started throwing punches. Let me handle it,” Tyler continued.
Chris froze, not even processing what was happening before Tyler’s fist landed square on his cheek. “Tyler, how can you just hit me without even asking what happened?” Chris protested.
Tyler just shrugged, rubbing his hand. “Do I really need a reason? Honestly, slapping someone as shameless as you felt worse than I expected. My hand still stings. Good thing I didn’t let Eleanor do it.”
“Tyler, what on earth did Eleanor do to you? Why are you so dead set on taking her side?” Chris stared at Tyler in disbelief.
Tyler let out a cold laugh. “So tell me, what do you think I was like before?”
Chris said, “You were—”
“Think carefully before you answer,” Tyler’s voice was icy. “No need to throw out weird comments and then.
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Chapter 97
when I come down on you for them.”
Chris’s eyes went wide. With things at this point, it felt like no matter what he said, he’d be wrong. “Come on, just say it. What exactly did you tell Linda?” Tyler changed the subject.
Tyler’s cold stare, Chris didn’t dare mess around. He answered honestly, “I just told that woman-
“That woman?” Tyler cut him off, his eyes frosty and his face full of anger. “Even if Serena’s not tied to the Donovan family anymore, you might want to check your tone. There’s no need to talk about her like she’s nothing.”
Chris felt a wave of frustration, but facing Tyler, he didn’t dare let it show. “Tyler, come on. You know that’s just the way I talk. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
+15
“That might be the way you talk, but that doesn’t make it okay. People aren’t always going to let you slide. Maybe you should think about that. Now, what did you say?” Tyler fixed Chris with a hard stare.
Chris deflated. “All I did was tell her about the stuff Eleanor was hiding. Tyler, I just don’t want you marrying Eleanor because you feel pressured.
“You didn’t know what kind of person she used to be–she partied like crazy. You’re covering for her just because she saved you once–that’s not fair to you.”
“Huh?” Tyler raised an eyebrow.
Chris could feel Tyler’s stare getting colder and colder, but he forced himself to speak. “The girl from back then–she can prove that Eleanor was taken advantage of at the bar. Eleanor just doesn’t remember.”
“Okay.” Tyler suddenly landed another punch right on Chris’s cheek. “You never change. You always believe whatever people tell you. Is that how you make yourself feel better? So you can tell yourself you didn’t make the wrong choice? Where is she? Bring her here.”
“It’s too late,” Chris said quietly.
Tyler narrowed his eyes at Chris. “What did you just say?”
Chris replied, “She found out about Serena and thought it was unfair, so she decided to go public with what happened back then. She was there–she knows exactly what happened.
“I figured it was better for Linda to hear it from me than from someone else. Maybe then she’d forgive me, and Serena too.”
“Oh, is that so?” Tyler let out a cold laugh. “Well, that’s funny, because after that night, I pulled the security footage. I still have it. I even tracked down
involved. everyone
“I didn’t want to blow this up, but since you’re so eager, get ready to be sued. Tell that girl: there’s always someone watching. Making a mistake isn’t the end of the world, but making it worse is.”
“Tyler, I know you have the power to twist the truth, but justice won’t just disappear,” Chris shouted, finally working up the
nerve.
“Look at you, finally growing a spine and daring to talk back to me,” Tyler mocked. “Too bad you left your brain at home.”
“You’re the one who’s wrong, Tyler,” said Chris.
“Chris, defamation can get you up to three years in prison, or detention, or other penalties. Unless it’s especially serious, the victim has to press charges for it to go to court.
“So, what, you think Eleanor’s too scared to sue you?” Tyler sneered, then dialed Keith. “Have Darryl Bartor me back.”
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Chapter 97
Chris glanced at Tyler’s stormy expression, then at Eleanor standing quietly off to the side, and suddenly felt a wave of panic.
It was all because that girl–who claimed to be involved back then–had called him, saying she’d reveal the truth online as long as Chris paid to boost the story.
He’d always thought Eleanor was sexually assaulted, and hearing this left Chris with mixed feelings, but deep down, he actually felt a twisted sense of relief–he hadn’t made the wrong choice.
But now, the calm on Eleanor’s face seemed to tell him that everything he believed was a lie.
“You’re really pathetic, Chris.” Eleanor said nothing more after that.
(15)
Eleanor walked into the ward and saw that Linda was already awake. She stood there, not sure what to say for a moment.
“Linda, we heard you fainted, so we came to see you.” Tyler’s voice broke the silence as he gently pulled Eleanor forward.
