Chapter 14
Eliza turned her back on them, not giving the group a second glance. The Newell family and Aiden had come with one thing in mind: if Eliza didn’t forgive them, they’d stay put until she did. So, as they watched her walk away, they trailed behind her.
When Eliza got home, Polly, who’d been eagerly waiting, rushed out to meet her. “Hey there, sweetie! You’re finally back! Your godfather whipped up your favorite ribs, and I got those cherries you love. We’ve all been waiting for you. Seriously, heading out to paint without bundling up? Aren’t you cold?
“Your brother’s been worried sick about you. If you hadn’t shown up, I swear he’d have scoured the whole island for you.”
Eliza smiled softly. Just as she was about to say something, a tall, strikingly handsome man stepped forward from behind her. “I’ve made it clear, no more calling me her brother, I never agreed to just being siblings with her.”
Eliza’s cheeks flushed at his words. Over the past few days, her godparents had showered her with affection, treating her like she was on top of the world–something she hadn’t felt in all her twenty years. Their son Dean, especially, had been incredibly kind to her. But she wasn’t naive; she could tell his kindness wasn’t the brotherly kind.
It was…
The kind of care a man shows a woman.
Polly seemed to catch on and chuckled, giving her son’s hand a pat. “Alright, alright, no more ‘brother‘ Who knows what your relationship might be down the road?”
Eliza was ushered inside, with the family treating her like a princess. Watching this from the doorway, Greg, Thea, Evan, and Aiden were momentarily stunned. It was a scene they knew well. They used to treat Margot just like that.
They’d seen Eliza’s longing for love but had turned a blind eye. Now, she had found that love, but not from them. The Newells felt a gut–wrenching pain, and Aiden was hit hard with regret and jealousy. Being a guy himself, he could see what Dean felt for Eliza.
Once everyone was seated at the table, Orson and Polly noticed some well–dressed folks at the door and couldn’t help but ask Eliza who they were. Eliza frowned slightly, her tone cold, “Just some people who don’t
matter.”
That single comment cut through the group at the door like a knife. Thea couldn’t hold back her tears and started sobbing quietly. Greg’s eyes turned red as he recalled his neglect of Eliza, his heart filled with remorse. Evan hung his head, fists clenched, drowning in guilt. Aiden’s eyes were locked on Dean and Eliza, jealousy eating away at him like a snake. He had always thought Eliza would wait for him, but here she was, with someone who truly cared for her.
Dean seemed to sense the eyes on him. He glanced towards the door, giving a subtle warning look. He gently took Eliza’s hand, as if silently announcing his intentions to everyone. Eliza noticed Dean’s gesture, her face turning slightly red, but she didn’t pull away. She knew Dean was looking out for her, making sure she wouldn’t get hurt again.
The Newells and Aiden stood outside for three long days. But Eliza never came out to see them. After those three days, the Newells and Aiden were in rough shape–parched lips, eyes void of life. Thea, already frail, finally collapsed from the exhaustion and lack of sustenance. Greg, Evan, and Aiden panicked, rushing to her
aid.
Inside, Eliza heard the commotion and felt a twinge of concern. Dean gave her hand a gentle squeeze, offering a reassuring smile as if to say, “With me here, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
