A Love Forgotten (Arianna and Elijah)
Chapter 226

Chapter 226

Evan slumped behind me, his shoulders shrinking as it he was trying to disappeari

"Mrs. Linden, he's just a kid Could you ease up a little? Evan is a good boy"

I shot Mrs. Linden a hand look, my hand finding Evan's

s and peassuringly seeing it

seed, het eyes full of judgment. "Oh, you sure like a stick your nose in, don't y

"First, you were so desperate to marry my son, and now, you're so eager for a divorce. I heard you've already found someone new. Well, that explains why you were so eager to divorce Elijah.

Her two friends, who were dressed as primly as she was, shot me looks of disdain. They whispered to each other, eyes cutting like daggers, making the room feel suddenly stifling Evan looked ready to snap back at his mom, but I quicidy held him back. Trying to keep my cool, I said, "Mrs. Linden, we're in a public place, and making a scene here won't look good for anyone"

She scotted, almost laughing "Oh, you want to talk about dignity? Did Jonathan think about dignity when he came storming into our business, demanding we pay up? Did he care about dignity" when he ran off with that money?"

I suddenly understood the venom behind her words. When I was at my lowest, thinking my life was over, Jonathan must have confronted them, leaving them with a lasting grudge. That explained her hostility toward me. Not wanting to cause more of a scene, I motioned for the manager to guide us into a private room. Once inside, it was just r the three of us-Mrs Linden's friends opted to stay outside their codler, probably eager to gossip. Mrs. Linden crossed her arms, looking down her nose at me. "Listen, Ariana, don't push your luck. If you m

make this divorce too messy, don't blame me if a few of your 'skeletons' get ahed

Her words were sharp, but I wasn't about to back down. "Mrs. Linden, I've already been through the worst. I'm not afraid of your threats"

She hesitated, knowing that whatever "

she might try to weaponize wouldn't bother me anymore-and Jonathan's vengeful nature likely had her second-guessing too

She gave a frustrated buff. "Fine. As long as you don't go overboard, I'll see that Elijah offers you a little more. But don't expect any more than that."

I forced a polite smile and nodded. "Fair enough, Mrs. Linden. I won't go overboard. But I'd like to talk about Evan now."

Her brows shot up suspiciously, her gaze darting between us. "You're not taking my second son too, Ariana!"

Evan was fed up and fired back, "Watch your mouth! Ariis like a sister to me!"

Mrs. Linden just rolled her eyes, letting out a scott. I tried to explain that Evan simply y wanted to attend a private school, hoping for a chance at a decent education and a fresh start. didn't seem remotely interested though. In the end, she threw up her hands. "If you're so determined to stick your now where it doesn't belong, then line. Go ahead and take him"

you want. But if he gets into

She cast a cold, dismissive look at Evan, then mustered under her breath, "You sure didn't burn our like your brother. If it weren't for well, whatever. Do what your trouble, I'll make sure you're the one answering to the police And with that, the tossed a final, mocking look my way, "Guess you just can't stay

With a smug grin, she strode out of the room

den family, hub? Seems like you're still clinging to us."

Evan stood there, fists clenched, his eyes glistening with frustration. "Why didn't you argue back, Ari? She was so mean I don't even want to call her my mom anymore."

His shoulders shock, a raw disappointment evident in his voice.

My heart ached for him. No child should have to beg for a parent's love and attention, but it was painfully clear he'd never known any from her.