We Both Reborn And I Let Go This Time Chapter 03

We Both Reborn And I Let Go This Time Chapter 03

Early the next morning, Raymond came to pick up Clara.

I stood by the window and watched. He was parked out front in his truck, and when Clara came out, he walked around and held the door for her.

She climbed in, and he pulled away slowly, glancing over at her as he turned the corner, like he wanted to make sure she was comfortable.

Mom watched from the doorway, beaming. “Now that’s a gentleman.”

Dad called me from the other room. “Eleanor, come here. I need to talk to you.”

I walked in and saw the old lockbox on the table, the one where Mom kept the family jewelry.

Mom came in behind me and pulled the door shut.

“You know what we have. This is all of it.”

She opened the lid. Five pieces of heavy gold jewelry sat inside, catching the light.

“Clara’s getting married, and she needs something to bring into that marriage. We can’t send her in empty-handed. His family would look down on her.”

She paused and looked at me.

“You’re taking that work placement out in the country anyway. You won’t need any of this out there, so it’s all going to Clara.”

She wasn’t asking.

I looked at the jewelry, then back at her.

In my previous life, they’d done the exact same thing. They handed Clara everything and told me I didn’t need it.

“I’m not going.”

Mom froze.

“I said I’m not taking that placement.”

I held her stare.

“I’m getting married too, and I expect my fair share.”

“The jewelry gets divided evenly. I’m taking what’s mine.”

The room went silent.

Dad slammed his hand on the table. “Have you lost your mind?!”

“Who’s going to marry you?!” Mom’s voice shot up. “You think you can get a man like Raymond? You think someone like him would look twice at you?”

I dug my nails into my palms and kept my mouth shut.

Mom stared at me for a few seconds. Then her eyes narrowed, and her tone went ice-cold.

“You have feelings for him. Don’t you.”

I lifted my chin.

The longer I stayed quiet, the more convinced she got, and her voice rose.

“I knew it. You won’t go, you want to get married, but marry who? You’re trying to steal Clara’s fianc茅!”

“I don’t have feelings for Raymond,” I said.

I meant it.

Mom didn’t believe me. Neither did Dad.

Dad stood up and jabbed a finger at me.

“I’m warning you, Eleanor. Your sister’s wedding is the only thing that matters right now, and if you ruin it, you’ll have me to answer to.”

Mom piled on. “Take a good look at yourself. A man like Raymond wouldn’t give you a second glance. You’re not half the woman Clara is.”

I took a deep breath, about to respond.

A burst of noise came from the yard.

Raymond and Clara were back.