Ex-husband wants me back novel

Chapter 550 Eli truly didn't know what to say. Her mother's words had turned the warm, loving, peaceful atmosphere into something tight and uncomfortable. She was still standing beside Althea, her fingers clutching the edge of her shirt. The warmth of that hug still lingered around her when Selena's voice rang out again. "Didn't you hear what your mother said?" Selena gave a faint, mocking smile. No one needed to ask how irritated she was. Watching Eli slip further beyond her control made her temper burn.

"You're really starting to forget who you are, aren't you?" Selena asked flatly, her tone quiet but cutting. She stepped into the dining room, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "Or have you already forgotten who brought you into this house?" Eli swallowed. Her shoulders stiffened. "Mom," she said softly. Selena stopped right in front of her. Her gaze traveled slowly from Eli's head to her feet-cold, sharp, and intimidating. "Go back to your room," Selena ordered firmly. "Now." Eli didn't move. The entire table fell silent.

Riana watched Selena, her brows drawing together slightly. Lydia stopped cutting the fruit. Even Felicia finally lifted her eyes from her tablet. It wasn't that they didn't want to defend Eli. But there were boundaries that had to be respected. Eli had to make her own choice. She couldn't be pushed. And right now, she needed to find her own voice. Slowly, Eli lifted her face. Her eyes were still uncertain, but her voice came out clearer this time. "I want to have breakfast here, Mom." The silence grew heavier. Selena's expression changed. "I don't repeat my orders," she said quietly.

Her voice wasn't raised, but the pressure in it was unmistakable. Eli's hands tightened at her sides. Her face showed her anxiety, but there was a fragile determination in her eyes. "I... made this for Mrs. Althea," she said in a small voice. "I want to see her try it." Selena let out a short laugh, devoid of warmth. "So now you're busy trying to get attention?" she sneered. "Do you really think that by doing things like this, they'll consider you part of their family?" Eli's face immediately paled. Her head dropped. Hearing words like that from her own mother hurt more than anything.

That was when Althea spoke. 1/3 "Selena." Her voice was gentle-but firm enough to stop whatever Selena might have said next. Althea stood calmly beside Ell. There was no anger in her expression, no offense-only quiet composure and an unwavering steadiness in her eyes. "Ell prepared breakfast for me this morning," she said. "And I haven't tasted it yet." Selena's sharp gaze shifted toward her. "And what does that have to do with me?" Althea continued in the same calm tone.

"In this house, we appreciate someone's effort-especially when it comes from sincerity." She glanced at Eli, then gently rested a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Sit," she said softly. Eli hesitated for a moment, then slowly returned to her seat. Selena watched the scene with a stiff expression. Her hands curled into fists at her sides. "You've grown comfortable very quickly," she said coldly to Eli. "Don't forget-without my pushing and forcing this, you wouldn't even be here." Althea let out a soft laugh, and the sound only made Selena look at her with even greater irritation.

"So this was your plan?" Althea said lightly. "You pushed Eli into this house even though she didn't want to come? Or did she refuse you more than once?" Selena let out an annoyed hiss, about to respond-but Althea spoke again before she could, "You should be the one treating Eli well," Althea continued calmly. "If it weren't for her blood connection to this family, you would never have been able to enter this house. You might not even have had the chance to meet Mr. Nathan or Mrs. Riana." "I don't need advice from you," Selena snapped coldly. "Eli is my daughter.

Mind your own business." "Of course," Althea replied. She pulled out her chair and sat down slowly. "What happens in this house is my business. Including giving you a clear warning. You're a guest. So behave like one. Respect the homeowners and the rules that apply here." Then she signaled the staff to begin serving the breakfast they had prepared. The calm authority in her tone made Selena's anger flare-fiercely, sharply. But what irritated her even more was Eli's reaction. The girl looked genuinely comfortable, even happy, spending time with this family.

If not for her current situation-Bret had warned her, but only briefly. Harold couldn't be reached. The plan that should have unfolded smoothly had begun to fall apart. And for now, Selena had no choice but to tolerate what Althea had said. So she did the only thing she could. "Waiter," she said, pulling out a nearby chair and sitting down gracefully, as if she hadn't noticed how nearly everyone in the room was ignoring her. "Prepare breakfast for me-" She hadn't finished her sentence when her phone suddenly rang. The sharp ringtone cut through the activity in 2/3 the dining room.

Annoyed, Selena quickly pulled the phone from her pocket. But the moment she saw the screen, her expression changed. The tension in her brows slowly eased. The corner of her lips lifted. She answered the call while turning slightly away. "Yes?" she said in a lowered voice. Then she walked out of the dining room, making sure no one could overhear the conversation. Several minutes passed. The smile on her face grew wider. "Alright," she said softly. "I understand." Comments Support Share +2 3/3 admin