[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-26032258F3A3-536":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},536,22,"Chapter 22: \"She Isn't Your Mother Anymore\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus faltered, his composure slipping for a fraction of a second.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine seized the opening, diving through the doorway before he could recover. His bodyguards lunged after her, but she poured every ounce of her adrenaline into a desperate sprint, bursting into the living room like a woman possessed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Auntie Elaine!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A high-pitched, sobbing cry cut through the air. Before Elaine could even catch her breath, Charleigh slammed into her, burying her face in Elaine’s stomach.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where have you been? You didn't even answer my calls!\" Charleigh wailed, her grip tightening. \"I missed you so much! If you hadn't left, I almost would've been poisoned by my uncle—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Charleigh Flores!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arthur Bennett muttered \"she’s just a child\" ten times under his breath, desperately trying to keep his blood pressure in check. He turned his attention to Elaine, his voice softening. \"Are you alright?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine felt a warmth bloom in her chest. She shook her head, stunned. \"You guys… you came all this way just to find me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course we did!\" Charleigh interjected, not letting Arthur get a word in. \"You went off the grid, and Uncle Arthur was worried sick! We hopped on the first flight out here!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine couldn't believe the lengths Arthur had gone to. Beyond that one fleeting, almost-confession of his, they had been nothing more than neighbors who occasionally shared a meal.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She straightened her spine, looking him in the eye. \"Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s nothing. Don't listen to the kid,\" Arthur muttered, turning his head away. The tips of his ears were a bright, tell-tale shade of red.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Who are you? Let go of my mother!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A shrill, furious voice erupted from the hallway. Max came tearing into the room, fueled by pure, unadulterated rage, and shoved Charleigh with all his might.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine gasped, lunging forward by reflex to catch the little girl before she hit the floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Max Spencer! Have you lost your mind?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Max froze, staring at her in disbelief. His eyes welled up with stinging, hot tears. \"Mommy...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">How could his mother be standing on the side of that stranger? Was she... was she done with him?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Charleigh, once she regained her balance, stood straight, brushed herself off, and glared at the boy. \"Oh, so you're the ungrateful brat Elaine was talking about?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I am not an ungrateful brat!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes, you are! Elaine’s been hurt so badly, and it's all because you didn't protect her! You're just a brat!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The six-year-old girl, sharp-tongued and prone to picking up phrases she didn't fully grasp, kept on firing. But her words hit home like a lead weight.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Max choked. He knew better than anyone how much Elaine had suffered. He knew that so much of it—too much of it—was his own fault. He looked at Elaine with desperate, pleading eyes, praying for a hug, a shred of comfort.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But Elaine only said, \"Charleigh, enough. Max, come here and apologize.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Max’s tears spilled over. In that singular heartbeat, he realized that not every mistake can be smoothed over. He still had a mother, but he no longer had the mother who would unconditionally protect him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Charleigh looked stunned. \"Hey... why are you crying? I'll stop... wait, where are you going?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Max didn't answer. He turned and bolted, his small frame disappearing into the shadows of the estate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine’s heart hitched, and she instinctively moved to follow him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't bother. He's not going anywhere but the grounds.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine spun around to see Marcellus standing there.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arthur’s posture went rigid. He didn't hesitate to step between them, pulling Elaine behind him, his eyes narrowed in a cold, defensive glare. \"Mr. Spencer, I’ll remind you that false imprisonment is a crime.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Relax. You've already called the police; what more could I possibly do?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus ignored Arthur, his gaze locking onto Elaine. The sharp, jagged edge of his temper had faded, replaced by a dull, hollow ache.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Elaine,\" he whispered, his voice dangerously low. \"Did you really leave me just for him?\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272928836]