Clupte 22 A Binet Call
“Do you? If you had any sense, you wouldn’t have sent Lindsey abroad and left her there for three years all alone without giving any support.”
Aliana couldn’t hold back the outburst.
But she stopped herself from saying anything harsher, swallowing her frustration.
Her relationship with her son had already been strained over the years, and his marriage had nearly turned them into outright enemies.
If they argued now, he might never come home again.
She softened her tone. “Your late grandfather and I were the ones to blame for forcing you into this marriage. But Lindsey did nothing wrong. She’s been alone overseas all this time. Who knows how she’s managed all these years? If you’re divorcing her, at least make sure she’s properly compensated.”
Eliezer gave a noncommittal hum, his expression indifferent.
Aliana knew she no longer had any control over him, but his attitude still made her blood boil.
“Fine. I no longer oppose your marriage to Jaelyn. You can marry her if you love her. But let me be clear–I don’t like her. Don’t bring her around
me.”
Just thinking about that woman’s hypocritical face gave her a headache.
She wasn’t as good–natured as Lindsey, nor as beautiful. How could her son be so blind?
She pressed her fingers to her temples, exasperated.
Suddenly, Eliezer set down his fork violently, his coldly handsome face twisting with scorn.
“You don’t like her? How many decisions have you made for me in my life, all because of what you don’t like?
“You don’t like Jaelyn, so you wouldn’t even let her in the house when she visited. You like Lindsey, so you made me marry her to keep you happy. The arranged marriage was your idea, and in the end, you decided who I should marry. Now, even when it comes to divorce, I have to follow your demands?”
Aliana froze, her hands pausing mid–motion, her face twisting in shock.
This was the first time Eliezer had ever confronted her like this.
Even three years ago, when he reluctantly agreed to the marriage, he had still gone through with the paperwork and the wedding before quietly sending Lindsey away.
Aliana rubbed her temples, her voice weary. “Fine. I won’t interfere. You and Lindsey can decide when to finalize the divorce. As for when you remarry, that’s between you and Jaelyn. And me? Well, if you ever need play my part in some charade, you know where to find me.”
me to
She had lost her appetite and left.
At her age, each birthday meant one less left. Maybe skipping it would be better. She could pretend she was still a year younger.
Only Eliezer remained at the table.
With a cold expression, he pulled out his phone and dialed a not–so- unfamiliar number.
Just like every other time he’d called over the past three years, the same mechanical, cold female voice informed him the number was no longer in
service.
He sat in silence, watching the screen dim. Finally, he snapped out of it
Chapter 22 á duet Call
and dialed another number, his eyes unreadable.
***
Lindsey’s phone rang, and she hesitated to answer when she saw Aliana’s name, suspecting Eliezer might be on the other end.
Not that she feared him, she simply found his voice annoying.
Then she reconsidered. He was the one who owed apologies, not her. Even if it was Eliezer on the other end, she could just hang up.
She answered the call, and Aliana’s voice chirped through the speaker, “Lindsey, you’ve returned from abroad, right? Why haven’t you come to see me? Are you angry with your in–law too?”
The term “in–law” left Lindsey momentarily speechless.
Aliana’s self–reference as an in–law felt profoundly misplaced. That title had belonged to a legal relationship that no longer existed.
Since Eliezer and she were getting divorced, her relationship with Aliana. would automatically end as well.
“Aliana.” Lindsey corrected gently, “you must know by now that Eliezer and I divorced. I’ve only been back a few days and have been job hunting. Please don’t overthink it. I’m not angry with anyone, especially not with you.”
She softened the correction with reassurance. “Once I’m settled with work, I’ll visit you during my time off. Would that be alright?”
Aliana, pleased by the promise, replied delightedly, “You better keep your word. When you’re free, you must come to see me.”
“Of course, Aliana. I’ve missed your cooking,” Lindsey replied, smiling.
Then her expression froze when Aliana uttered, “We’ve been family for
years. How about this? You’ll be my goddaughter, so we’ll still be family. How does that sound?”
