Chapter 3

• Elleina’s POV
• When I was young, I often dreamed about the day that I would finally have the opportunity to meet my grandpa. I daydreamed about him playfully swinging me in his arms and then tightly wrapping his arms around me in a hug. Then he would take care of me and my mom, providing us with relief from the struggles of our impoverished life. But they were all illusions, a figment of a child’s imagination.
• A wave of revulsion hit me, causing my nose to wrinkle in disgust.
• I stared at grandpa. Despite his age, he appeared strong and healthy, which made me painfully aware of my mom's worsening condition.
• Although life can be unfair at times, quitting is not the solution.
• Grandpa sank into a padded armchair, positioning himself directly opposite me. With his head held high, he exuded an air of pride and aristocracy. The look he gave me conveyed utter disdain, as if I were an unwanted presence on the opulent Victorian couch.
• I clenched my fists, determined to keep my temper in check. I could not help but recall the time he humiliated me during high school, denying me to everyone. That was something that I could never forget. The mark, like a tattoo, was imprinted deep within my brain, impossible to forget.
• “So your mother is sick,” he spat right away, skipping any pleasantries, “misfortune always follows to disobedient children. The act of running away with that airhead chauffeur shows just how foolish she is. If she were to agree to marry the man I have chosen for her, she would have a much brighter and more prosperous future.”
• An arranged marriage.
• The prevailing mindset of a rich person when it comes to maintaining their financial status. I breathed out silently, my thoughts lingering on my mother. If she married a stranger, she would be condemned for a lifetime of torment. It would be like nailing her own coffin every day. I knew she would rather opt for her current life.
• Anger surged through me, causing my hands to quiver with intensity. Grandpa’s insults and harsh words kept on coming, degrading my dead father, Hareth Daniel, though I haven’t even seen in person. I knew from my mom and his family that he was a very wonderful guy.
• “What about you? What’s going on with your life? My sources said that you haven’t gone to a university,” he scoffed, looking at me oddly, like I came from another planet. His piercing gaze traveled from the top of my head down to my toes, analyzing my appearance. “you’re twenty two and jobless! That’s what you get when you neglect schooling. You can’t find a decent job when you lose one.”
• So he did a regular check with my life. He is aware of both my name and age. He has knowledge of the educational and work aspects of my life. I wonder what else he knows?
• “Due to my mom's financial limitations, I was unable to attend university.”
• “Of course! She’s weak and incompetent! I don’t know where she got that kind of attitude. My wife and I both have strong personalities. The maids probably influenced her,” he shook his head, looking very disappointed, “she’s an ungrateful daughter, disrespectful... and a moron!”
• I stood up abruptly. His unpleasant words had become too much for me to handle and I couldn't contain them any further. Two minutes more, I would forget that he was my grandfather and attack him.
• “If you let me see you today, just to tell me insulting words about my mother, then I’d better leave,” I glared at him angrily, “she’s a wonderful woman, a very loving mother. Yeah, she made the mistake of running away at a very young age. She could have done a better way, like waiting for the right time, without you hating her and cursing her to death.”
• “HA! A better way? She still fell in love with that idiotic poor man!”
• “Spare my dad with your wrath. He’s at peace in his grave,” I said firmly, uncaring who he was anymore. “it seems like you have nothing nice to say. You’re still a proud, vindictive, and unforgiving man. You refused to acknowledge that you have your own faults too, by being so strict and controlling Mom’s life.”
• “How dare you say that to me!” He stood up abruptly, his eyes widened as he looked at me with a monstrosity, “I’m your grandfather!”
• “You’re sure about that now?” I bursted, matching his anger, “remember? I vividly remember that you denied me in front of the entire school, causing me significant embarrassment. You said you didn’t know me. According to your previous statement, you claimed to not have a granddaughter. You humiliated me!”
• His lips tightened, then chuckled nastily, “so look who’s holding a grudge? You think I would announce to the whole world that I have a granddaughter studying in public school? What would that make me, a laughingstock to everyone!”
• “Your reputation is more important to you than your family. You care too much about what people say, rather than your daughter’s feelings. You’re heartless and savage, and I’m not proud of you as my grandfather,” I hissed, then took my worn-out tote bag lying out of place on the expensive sofa.
• “I’m not done with you!” he barked when I stormed out of the living room.
• I stopped mid-stride, turned to him slowly and said, “well, I’m done with you. Don’t worry, I won’t bother you again. I can ask for help with my mom’s medical treatment somewhere else. Pretty sure there are plenty of people who have beautiful souls. You can continue cutting your connection with us. Goodbye Mr. Constantine Pallister. I sincerely hope that you have a long and joyful life ahead of you.”
• “I’ll pay for your mother’s medical treatment,” he said, and that stopped me from leaving. I stared at him tongue-tied, “everything. I’ll get the best medical doctors and institutions in the world to cure her illness. In the aftermath, she will be able to lead a life that is incredibly comfortable. She’ll get her trust fund of three billion dollars, and three mansions. In Los Angeles, Maryland and New York.”
• My mind went blank, and I struggled to find the appropriate words to say. I stood there frozen, staring at him. Suddenly I was suspicious. There was no way that he would just agree to help Mom and give everything he mentioned. He had a black heart as Satan.
• “What’s the catch?”.
• He smirked, then said, “you have to marry Alexander Kenneth Grandson..”