Chapter 1476:
There was a polite, guarded smile on Carola’s lips.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Miss Harper.”
Elena kept her expression neutral.
“Is there something you wanted, Mrs. Stanley?”
Carola carefully set her spoon aside.
“Since you asked, I’ll be direct. There’s a favor I hope you’ll consider, though I know it might be inconvenient.”
Inconvenient? Elena’s guard went up, expecting trouble.
“Please, go ahead.”
Carola explained,
“Wesley’s birthday is coming up in a few days. After so many years apart, I want to throw him a proper celebration now that we’re finally back in each other’s lives.”
This was Carola’s last attempt—she was hoping Elena would let Wesley attend the party she planned to host for him.
Elena’s reply was cool and measured.
“This is something you should discuss with Wesley.” That made it clear—Carola shouldn’t have brought this up with her at all.
In fact, Elena hadn’t even realized Wesley’s birthday was coming up.
“I’ve already talked to him,” Carola responded.
“He told me he’d rather spend that day with you. That’s why I reached out. Surely, you understand a mother’s wish to make up for all the lost years with her son. You’re more than welcome to come too, so you two can celebrate together. Would that work for you, Miss Harper?”
Carola believed she was being accommodating, assuming Elena had no grounds to decline.
But Elena’s answer was immediate and unwavering.
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙜𝖆𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀[ꞏ]𝖈𝖔𝖒
“No.”
Carola’s smile faltered.
“Why not? I’m not asking you to give anything up. You and Wesley would still be together.” What more could Elena possibly want?
With steady composure, Elena replied, “It’s Wesley’s birthday. He should decide how he wants to spend it and with whom. Since he’s already turned you down, that means his answer is no.” She refused to make choices on Wesley’s behalf.
“But—” Carola tried to protest.
Elena rose to her feet.
“Mrs. Stanley, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”
Elena had barely left her seat before Lyla slid in, her tone sly.
“Did you notice, Mom? She’s making it obvious—she wants to keep Wesley all to herself. You went out of your way to invite her, and she turned you down flat. She’s shutting you out, not even caring that you’re his real mother. People like that are trouble. You can’t let her keep Wesley away from you.”
Carola’s lips pressed into a hard line.
“I never expected Elena to be so petty.” She realized that letting things continue this way would only drive Wesley further away from her, and her frustration with Elena grew by the minute. Why did her son have to choose someone like that? Elena’s behavior was completely out of line.
.
.
.