Love You Enough to Leave You

Chapter 370 The Understanding Son

Amelia argued with her mother. For three days afterward, she did not visit her neighbor. Though Eleanor still dropped by every single day to visit the other Amelia and her grandchild, she always seemed distracted. Her fragmented presence was not lost on Amelia whenever her guest dropped by.

“Mrs. Hutton, have you been arguing with Amelia?” she asked.

Eleanor jerked out of her reverie with a start. “She has been spoiled by me,” she admitted with a helpless smile. “It’s just a child’s tantrum. It’ll pass. She’ll be back to her old self very soon.”

“Quarrels between mother and daughter shouldn’t last this long, Mrs. Hutton,” voiced Amelia worriedly. “It has been three days since Amelia last visited. She wouldn’t be upset with me, would she? I’m afraid she might be jealous that you’re spending more time with me instead of with her.”

“Nonsense,” cried Eleanor. “You’re her sister. Why would she be jealous of you?”

“But I’m not her biological sister, am I?”

“You are! I mean, no, you’re not,” stammered Eleanor, flustered. “Don’t overthink it, all right? She’s just not used to not being at the center of attention and is merely acting out.”

Amelia averted her eyes to hide the sudden burst of emotion welling up within her.

“Mrs. Hutton, why don’t you go home to Amelia? I have kept you long enough.”

Eleanor edged closer to Amelia and took her hand. “Lia, are you angry with me? Don’t mind Amelia. I genuinely think of you as my daughter.”

Smiling warmly, Amelia replied, “Mrs. Hutton, I appreciate your love and kindness, but we are not related by blood. To be honest, your enthusiasm feels a little overbearing.”

At that, sadness flashed across Eleanor’s eyes. “Lia, are you sick of me?”

“That’s not what I meant, Mrs. Hutton. There is no need for you to treat me like a child. I have my own life to lead and a son to raise. My blindness does not cloud my judgment; the kindness with which you have given me feels like something more than neighborly affection. Tiff has said that we look alike. If it weren’t for the fact that I know who my parents are, I would have believed that I am the daughter you have lost all those years ago.”

“No, Lia,” Eleanor said desperately as she clutched the younger woman’s hand. “You are actually my… my…” The final word seemed to be stuck in her throat.

Amelia’s ears pricked hopefully, ready to hear the answer she secretly yearned for. However, Eleanor appeared to decide against completing the sentence, which disappointed Amelia.

As a result of Eleanor’s hesitation, any hope Amelia had in reconnecting with her mother vanished.

longer need motherly love as I did when I was a child, lost and alone in the streets.

calm yourself. I know that you have grown attached to me because my looks remind me of your younger self. Don’t get me wrong, I am honored to look like you. I can’t wait to regain my sight to see just how alike we look. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must check to see if Tony is

to help Amelia along,

way, Mrs. Hutton. Please, don’t

outstretched arm fell limply

way to the

was her husband calling, she answered the phone with a

“Hello?”

her, haven’t you?” Benjamin’s deep rumble

heart thumped wildly. Drawing a deep breath, she asked with forced calmness, “What

it? You’ve found her, and now you’re learning to lie

Eleanor clutched the phone tightly. “Isn’t cruelly giving up on her over twenty years ago not enough? If you’re intending on hurting her again, you might as well do it over my

not in a right state of mind for a reasonable conversation, Eleanor. I won’t waste my breath on you anymore. I just called to let you know that I have arrived in

hand, which held the phone against her ear, began to tremble violently as she

Tiffany emerged from the kitchen with a bowl of freshly cut fruit. At the sight of Eleanor, who was looking slightly green, Tiffany hurried

fright. “Are you all right, Mrs.

Eleanor smiled apologetically at the sight

her head. “I’m fine, Mrs. Hutton. You don’t look too good, though. Why

going as there is an urgent matter I have to attend to. Please tell Lia that I would come by again when

next door, prompting the former to turn back

the living room by the hand. “Tiff, is that you?” Amelia asked, her ears pricking up at the sound of

walked over and picked Tony up in one arm before leading Amelia to the couch

Hutton earlier?” Amelia asked concernedly. “I heard

I noticed she didn’t look too good. I was about to pat her on the shoulder when she looked at me like she was about to eat me

the news. As she had grown fond of Eleanor, it hurt her to hear that the old lady was in

still worried, we could

moment’s thought,

led Amelia by the hand out of their apartment over to the entrance

at least three rings on the doorbell, the Huttons’ door remained