“Elena, come fill this out. Once it’s confirmed, sign it.”
“Coming.”
Elena stood and walked outside.
Zayden’s eyes followed her without thinking.
Sarah noticed and scowled. She was still fuming over Elena revealing her study abroad plans-and now Zayden couldn’t stop staring?
“What’s Elena doing now? Signing forms? Is this about the math competition?” she asked.
Zayden looked away. “No idea. Don’t care.”
But even as he said it, his eyes never stopped glancing toward the door where Elena stood.
As the dismissal bell rang that evening, Sarah had already tidied her desk. She turned to Zayden with a sweet voice. “Zayden, can you walk me home?”
“No, I’ve got something tonight.”
Zayden stood up. His cold tone caught Sarah off guard.
He used to always walk her home first before heading back himself.
What changed today?
She watched as Zayden walked straight over to Elena’s desk.
Elena hadn’t even finished packing up before Zayden grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up.
“I’m not done packing. What’s the rush?” she said, annoyed.
Zayden frowned at her tone.
In the past, if Elena knew she was going to meet his mother, she would’ve had everything packed before the bell even rang.
Not far away, Sarah’s expression briefly soured at the sight, but she quickly adjusted it and walked toward them with a smile.
“Elena, are you going on a date with Zayden later? Can I tag along?” Sarah blinked up at them with wide, innocent eyes. “Mom and Dad are still at work. It’s boring going home alone.”
Zayden looked at her, intending to decline, but before he could, Elena replied cheerfully, “Sounds good. Let’s go together.”
“Thanks!” Sarah happily linked arms with Elena.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing, she reached out and grabbed Zayden’s hand too. “Zayden, you wouldn’t really forget me just because you’re with my sister, right? You wouldn’t even walk me home earlier.”
Her tone wasn’t sisterly at all-it was more like a girlfriend pouting at her boyfriend.
Zayden was silent for a moment before saying, “My mom wants to see Elena. It’s not really a good time for you to come.”
“Why not? I haven’t seen Aunt Grace in ages.”
Elena’s expression remained neutral.
She knew Grace actually preferred Sarah. But because Elena was the eldest daughter, their two families had arranged her engagement to Zayden early on.
Sarah was too impressive. Grace had always feared that marrying her into the Holt family would be a waste of her potential.
In their eyes, Sarah deserved a more dazzling future-not a life spent playing housewife to the Holt family heir.
On the ride over, Elena didn’t say a word.
This was the first time Zayden had ever used the Holt family’s car to take her to see Grace.
Zayden had always been a clean freak-he never let outsiders in the family car. Sarah had always been the one exception.
He probably let Elena ride today because Sarah was with them.
It was already 7:00 p.m. when they arrived.
The Holt family garage was huge, but Sarah confidently led the way to the elevator, clearly familiar with the place.
She’d been here many times.
By contrast, in her past life, Elena had only been to the Holt residence twice-and only because Grace had specifically asked for her.
Thinking of the difference made Elena want to laugh.
She’d spent so long groveling, believing that being humble and obedient would earn love.
But she’d learned the hard way: the more obedient you are, the easier you are to manipulate-and to hurt.
“This way, Elena,” Sarah called out with a flourish, like she was showing off.
She acted like Elena had never been here before-as if she were Zayden’s fiancée, and Elena was just a guest.
Elena didn’t care. She followed her onto the elevator without a word.
The Holt estate was much larger than the Delaney’.
Even though Zayden’s father had passed away, his mother still had enough business sense to keep the family afloat-for now.
Outsiders still thought the Holts were thriving.
But Elena knew better. Within a year, they’d be completely bankrupt.
This polished image wouldn’t last long.
“Elena, this way.”
Sarah kept pointing out directions like she was afraid Elena would get lost, just to flaunt how familiar she was with the place.
Zayden, clueless to this kind of girl-on-girl sparring, didn’t notice anything strange.
In the living room, Grace had already had the maid lay out an elaborate dinner spread.
But just one look told Elena these were all Sarah’s favorite dishes.
“Sarah’s here too? Come, have a seat,” Grace greeted warmly.
She was dressed in luxurious clothes and wore expensive jewelry.
Sarah sat down naturally across from her, flashing a charming smile. “Your necklace is gorgeous. It’s even prettier than my mom’s.”
“Oh really? You’ve got quite the eye for someone so young. This is top-grade jadeite.”
Grace loved compliments about her jewelry, and Sarah had her absolutely glowing.
Meanwhile, Elena stood quietly off to the side, clearly uninvited.
After a while, Grace finally looked her way. Her smile faded a little. “Elena, you’ve been here a few times now. Treat it like your home. Come sit.”
“Thank you, Madam Grace.”
Sarah had already taken the seat next to Zayden, so Elena sat a little farther away.
“I heard there was some drama during Zayden’s birthday yesterday,” Grace said, cutting straight to the point.
Elena wasn’t surprised-Zayden had already told her Grace wanted to talk about last night.
“There’s nothing to it, ma’am. We were just playing around. It was all a misunderstanding.”
Sarah jumped in before she could say more. “It’s true! Just some silly teasing. Everything’s fine now.”
Grace chuckled. “Zayden was in the wrong. Your parents already called me. You’re still young-no need to be so dramatic. What matters most is that you two stay close.”
She glanced at Elena with a hint of approval. “I heard your grades haven’t been great lately. If you can’t get into college, that’s fine. Just come marry into our family instead. I’ve watched you grow up, and if you become
Zayden’s wife, he wouldn’t dare mistreat you.”
Elena smiled inwardly.
Grace couldn’t wait for her to give up school and marry into the Holt family.
One reason was to bind the Delaney family closer, hoping they’d help the Holts out of their financial mess.
The other reason was that Grace was certain Elena wanted to marry Zayden-and would make the perfect, dutiful daughter-in-law.
Elena remembered how, in her past life, her parents begged her not to marry into the collapsing Holt family. But she’d insisted, standing by Zayden through the hardest times.
In the end, after she’d given up her identity as the Delaney heiress and was no longer of use, Grace turned on her-blaming her for ruining Zayden and Sarah’s perfect future.
Even after Elena had knelt before the Delaney family on Grace’s behalf to beg for financial help, Grace’s attitude hadn’t improved.
She had only gone on to curse her, calling her a jinx and a money pit.
Looking at Grace’s fake smile across the table, Elena set down her fork and said, “Madam Grace, Zayden should’ve already told you everything, right?”
“That boy doesn’t know any better. I’ve already spoken to him-you don’t need to take it to heart.”
So a simple ‘don’t take it to heart’ is supposed to wipe away all the humiliation I’ve suffered?
“Yes, yes,” Sarah jumped in, eager to push the blame. “Zayden didn’t mean it. He was just upset because you brought up the engagement. Don’t hold it against him.”
Elena didn’t argue. She simply gave Grace a thoughtful look and said, “Madam Grace,
Zayden and I grew up together, but we don’t have any real romantic feelings. And… I want to go to college. I probably won’t be able to get married right after graduation.”
“What’s wrong with that? Feelings can grow with time.”
Grace reached for her hand and smiled. “I’ve heard your grades aren’t too steady lately. Whether you’ll even get into college is still a question. Even if you do, we can always have the wedding first-or at least get engaged. Once everything is settled, I can finally relax.”
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