The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1814

Marlinie held her daughter’s slightly cold hand tighter. “No. I want to take you away from here with me. Would you come with me?”

Ellinor seemed taken aback. The answer, which she thought was certain, now seemed uncertain.

Realizing that Ellinor was hesitating, Marlinie realized that her daughter was no longer a little girl.

Pearl had grown up. She had her own concerns and people who cared for her.

Marlinie wiped away her tears and chuckled. “Look at me, still thinking of you as a little girl. I must have forgotten that you’re now a grown woman with your own home and children.”

Snapping back to reality, Ellinor looked at her mother with some difficulty. “Can’t you just stay with us?”

The smile on Marlinie’s lips turned bittersweet. “Pearl, I…”

always been a smart girl. She almost immediately understood her mother’s reluctance. “Mom, you don’t

That silence was

were her

escape from them. She didn’t want to stay in a place

mother’s hands tightly in both of hers. “I understand! The Howards are in Greenhaven, so we can live in another city. Somewhere far away from them. Would that

head. “They… they won’t let me go. As long as they know I’m alive,

the Howards, Ellinor’s heart sank. She couldn’t imagine the kind of torment

be this

pay for what they did to her

wisely didn’t press the issue. “Okay, we’ll discuss whether you’re coming with me or staying here later. Right now, you’re injured.

understanding, Marlinie nodded. They held hands and chatted about where she’d been and what she’d

Marlinie fell asleep due to

she didn’t get a response, she made sure her mother was comfortably asleep before covering her with a