Chapter 1726
“Keep a tight leash on your sister, Patricia.” Ida warned Byran. “Ellinor’s got enough on her plate right now.”
Byran’s face hardened a bit. “I know. She’s been stressed ever since Theo left. I won’t let anyone else bother her.”
Ida perched her gold-rimmed glasses on her nose, giving Byran a pointed look. “I hope you can discern right from wrong instead of blindly protecting your sister this time.”
Byran used to believe that Patricia was the kindest, most gentle person in the world. But he soon realized that their mother had shaped her into a selfish and manipulative individual who would use anyone to achieve her own goals without any remorse.
“Don’t worry.” He reassured Ida. “Even though they’re both my sisters, I know who’s right and who’s wrong.”
Ida gave him a hard look before sighing and dropping the subject.
Later that evening, Veronica returned home and told Ellinor about running into Patricia.
Ellinor seemed slightly surprised by the news but quickly regained her composure. “Hmm, I see.”
Veronica was taken aback by Ellinor’s calm response. “Are you not worried? Patricia tried to hurt you before. What if she tries to do it again?”
Ellinor rubbed her temples, looking weary. “If she could harm me, she would have done it a long time ago. I can’t control her actions. If she wants to cause trouble, there’s no way to avoid it. We’ll just have to deal with it when it comes.”
Veronica frowned as her mind filled with worry.
Just when Ellinor and Theo had reunited, Patricia had shown up. Why couldn’t things just settle down?
Ellinor arched an eyebrow after noticing Veronica’s troubled face. “What’s wrong? You used to consider Patricia as your best friend. Has something changed?”
Regaining her composure, Veronica blushed. “I was young and naive then. I didn’t know how to distinguish good people from bad ones. Ellinor, it’s been so many years. Why are you still holding a grudge against m’? We’re on good terms now, aren’t we?”
Ellinor chucked. “Alright, stop pouting. You should be relishing your recent date. Go wash up and rest.”
“Ellinor, you’re always teasing me!” Veronica blushed deeper and turned to leave. As she did, she noticed Adrian and Layla fast asleep on the bed.
It was a peaceful scene, but something seemed off. “Ellinor, why are only Adrian and Layla here? Where’s Baber?”
Ellinor, seated on the sofa, looked concerned. One of the reasons she was still awake was the unusual absence of one child.
“He said he wanted to be more independent and sleep in his own room.”
Veronica looked surprised. “What? Baber is usually so clingy. Why would he suddenly want to be independent? Did you say something to him, Ellinor?”
Ellinor shook her head. “No. I have no idea what got into him. But he was insistent, so I let him be.”
After some thought, Veronica agreed. “Well, he is the oldest. It’s good for him to set an example and be the first to strive for independence. Let him be.”
Once Veronica had left, Ellinor remained seated on the sofa, losing herself in thought. Unable to shake off her worry, she got up and headed to Baber’s
room.
Usually, all three children slept with her. Layla would be on her right, and Adrian and Baber would be on her left.
Baber, always considerate, would always let his younger brother sleep next to their mom and take the outermost spot himself. He was even the one to turn off the lights at night.
Baber’s sudden change was making Ellinor question whether she had done something wrong as a mother. Had she unknowingly upset her child?
