Chapter 61 Missing the Family


    The phone call had rained on her parade when her life had just turned for the better.


    Hesitant, but she still answered it.


    "Hey, Eliza."


    As ever, Raelyn''s voice was gentle and sweet.


    "Raelyn."


    Raelyn''s call stressed her out, gulping.


    "Eliza, I miss you. It''s been a while since I came back, but you''ve nevere home. Dad had been too


    hasty then; please don''t be mad at him."


    Raelyn''s gentle voice and words made Eliza feel like crying. She calmed herself down, not wanting her


    to learn of her situation, or she''d definitely be sad for her.


    In actuality, she was also missing home a little. Even if her stepfather didn''t treat her well, her sister and


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    mother still loved her. Gracelynn as well; they had barely been in touch since she got married. She


    hadn''t seen them in a long time…


    Eliza felt a lump in her throat, trying her best not to cry, but Raelyn only continued speaking when she


    didn''t hear Eliza respond on the other end of the line.


    "Eliza, Mom misses you very much too. No matter how busy you are, you have toe home once in


    a while."


    "I miss you guys too, Raelyn."


    Sadness was overwhelming Eliza, making her hard to breathe; Raelyn''s every word was hitting the


    weakest spot in her heart.


    "Then, can youe back this weekend? We should spend some time together as a family."


    Raelyn took the opportunity to invite her.


    Eliza deliberated. It was a Friday that day, so the weekend would be the following day...


    She hesitated, but she really missed her family.


    "Okay."


    Eliza promised; it''d be a good chance to meet up with Gracelynn as well.


    But then... would Tanner let her leave…


    "Okay, I''ll have the chauffeur go to Gracelynn''s ce to pick you up tomorrow then."


    There was joy in Raelyn''s voice, but Eliza, on the other hand, didn''t sound as happy.


    Eliza was the one who stole her man and took her spot. She hadn''t forgotten how her beloved little


    sister lied to her; if Eliza loved to act so much, she''d y along as well!


    Wickedness shed across Raelyn''s eyes as she lolled on the sofa, ying with her hair.


    Sure enough, Eliza became nervous at Raelyn''s suggestion.


    "No... It''s okay, Raelyn. Things are a little different at Gracelynn''s; I''ll go back on my own."


    Raelyn''s lips quirked into a cold smile, but her tone was considerate as ever.


    "Okay,e back as soon as you can. Travel safe."


    "Okay, I will."


    "Alright, I need to get back to my lesson; we''ll talk when youe back."


    "Okay, bye, Raelyn."


    "Bye."


    Something came to Raelyn after she ended the call, and she opened the album.


    She was all smug when she flipped to the photo she took in Sunset Bar, musing, "Just you wait, Eliza


    Stone! Tomorrow will be the day your heart shatters to bits."


    Eliza was the reason Tanner had been treating her so coldlytely. How could she not loathe her?!


    She had been going to Moth Intelligence to bring Tanner lunch. However, she never saw him, and


    whenever she asked Fran, he''d change the topic and avoid her questions.


    After receiving a cold shoulder for a few days straight, even she could see the women in thepany


    looking at her with mockery and disdain.


    But when she scrutinized, there wasn''t anything wrong with their expressions.


    She knew they dared to look down on her because they thought she''d be forced to say goodbye to her


    position as Mrs. Deleon when she had constantly been bringing Tanner''s lunch despite his absence for


    a few days straight!


    When had she, the first youngdy of the Stone family, ever suffered such grievance?!


    And no doubt it was all Eliza''s doing!


    Next to her was the photo taken when she had someone stalking Tanner. The marriage certificate was


    an absolute eyesore; how infuriating! It was time for everyone to see the photo.


    It was time everyone learned what ''the second youngdy of the Stone family'' was truly like!


    ……


    After the call ended, Eliza was a little uncertain.


    She had promised her sister just like that; what if Tanner said no? What if Raelyn figured out their


    rtionship?!


    Then again, if she didn''t ask for his permission, she couldn''t even leave the house, let alone go back to


    her family, would she?


    Making up her mind, she decided to just ask. He was right there anyway; he wouldn''t do anything to


    her anyhow.


    Though it was just autumn, and it wasn''t freezing, she had already changed into a pair of cozy winter


    slippers, pitter-pattering as she walked.


    Her feet were cold all year round, and her mom would get her some cute thin ones back home. But the


    ones she was wearing then were prepared for her. She was rather surprised when she discovered it.


    Peeking from the archway, she saw Tanner working away. It''d be wrong if she went in just like that;


    she''d bother him.


    "Come in."


    Tanner had heard her footsteps and ordered before she even spoke. With that, she went in quietly.


    He had already put his work down when she dragged her feet to him, looking at her leisurely.


    "Can I... make a trip home?"


    She asked gingerly.


    "Aren''t you home?"


    He had heard her call. Raelyn wanted her to go back to her family, but he couldn''t help reminding, she


    was already his wife, and this was her home; she''d have to watch her words.


    Stumped, it took Eliza a second to understand what he was referring to. His every emphasis about their


    marriage would get her bashful.


    So she blushed.


    "I haven''t gone back for a long time."


    "Have you forgotten how they humiliated you?"


    His words roused her memories. Her stepfather had forced her to kneel and asked for that sc*mbag''s


    forgiveness! It had happened so long ago; she had already left it in the past, but who would''ve thought


    he still remembered.


    "I kind of miss my mom."


    Eliza looked at her toes as she spoke, sadnessced in her tone. She had really been away from home


    for too long.


    The feeling hadn''t been so intense until Raelyn called; she''d leave now if she could. Though her


    stepfather was horrible to her, her mom genuinely adored her.


    "Now?"


    Tanner''s face was sullen, expressing his displeasure. He had brought all his work home to spend more


    time with her, but this ungrateful one wanted to leave right then.


    Eliza shot her head up. He didn''t give her a direct answer, but she could tell it was still a yes!


    "No, no, not now, tomorrow."


    Eliza hurriedly told him the schedule, worried that he''d change his mind. He didn''t look like he was in a


    good mood then, and she was nervous, afraid she''d identally piss him off, and she could only


    She then peeked at his face; he seemed to have… softened a little.


    The following day, huh? That meant that they still had a whole day together. At least she still had a


    heart.


    "I''ll go with you."


    Tanner''s sudden suggestion sessfully scared Eliza out of her wits.


    "Doesn''t a new husband need to apany his wife home after marriage? Sorry for being negligent."


    Tanner had his intentions. No way was he going to admit he was worried this silly one would be bullied


    in her own family.


    Eliza naturally didn''t know what he had in mind, only that his words got mixed feelings surging within


    her.


    How dare she go home as a wedded woman when she had been so careful not to let anyone know?!


    "No, no, it''s fine." She waved her hand repeatedly, nervous. "I just wanted to see how everyone is


    doing. You don''t have to be bothered."


    Tanner stared at her. He was a man of his word, not to mention he had done so with her best interest in


    heart; how dare she refuse him?


    Eliza felt uneasy under his threatening gaze. She wasn''t as fearful of him anymore, but that was only


    limited to normal circumstances. Her back would still stiffen when he turned grave.


    She dared not make another move, only looking at him.


    Tanner was still straight-faced as usual, but he sighed inwardly. He would undoubtedly forever give in


    when it came to her. What was more, her attitude seemed to have improved a lottely. On that


    ount alone, he couldn''t keep stopping her.


    "Come back as soon as you can."


    It was an absolute yes now; Eliza rejoiced. She couldn''t believe he agreed so easily; she had thought


    he''d at least sneer.


    "Okay. I''m just going to stay over one night."


    Eliza answered immediately.


    He caught her every expression, even the surprise that shed across her eyes. He still didn''t want to


    let her off so easily; Tanner had always been good at fighting for his benefits.


    She was only inches away from him. Gently circling her waist, he slowly pulled her closer, and with a


    tug, she fell onto hisp, trapped in his arms.


    Eliza didn''t struggle, knowing it''d be useless anyway, so why not cooperate? After spending more time


    with him these few days, she had gotten a clearer understanding of his temper.


    Tanner was naturally in a better mood when she was well-behaved.


    He faced his cheek to her as he leaned closer. Thinking back to the night before, Eliza knew it was the


    same request, a kiss.


    Eliza squirmed; she didn''t mind being intimate with Tanner, but she was still shy about making the first


    move.


    Tanner wasn''t going to let her go without getting that kiss, still facing his cheek at her. Everything he


    had done was to force her to get used to his presence, invading her heart.


    He wanted her body, soul, and heart to belong to him alone.


    He would neverpromise when it came to disciplining his Eliza.


    Neither of them spoke nor moved. After a moment of stalemate, Eliza still made the first move, giving


    him a peck on his cheek.


    Still that notion; it''d be a waste not to kiss such an outstanding man. She had clearly been coerced, but


    she thought she was the one who got the bargain.


    Eliza only left the study after being forced to engage in a make-out session.


    Her cheeks were burning; surely, she was blushing. Feeling blissful, she couldn''t help smiling bashfully.


    She was surprised when she realized what she was doing. So this was how it felt to be in love.


    What should she do? He was bing more and more important to her. If there really came a day she


    couldn''t bear to leave him…


    Eliza dared not imagine that future her.


    Massaging her temples, she thought she''d put that worry aside. After all, she wasn''t the one with the


    final say anyhow.


    She returned to her original spot and picked up the pen again.


    Just the thought of being able to see her family made her thrilled. She wondered how everyone was


    doing; there were surely some changes.


    While letting her mind wander, she worked on her lines, practicing all the techniques Nichs taught


    her,pleting the design for the day.