Chapter 393

Dorothy brought over a large bouquet of champagne roses, neatly wrapped, with a card tucked inside covered in handwriting. Eleanor Carmody’s gaze instinctively landed on it but quickly darted away like she’d been burned when she noticed her daughter and son-in-law watching. “Take it away—I don’t want to see it!” Her voice came out more sharply than she meant. Dorothy frowned. “Ma’am, could you at least take a look? It’s from Mr. Stratton, it really means something.” “Just leave it there,” Eleanor said, her tone turning firm. “Go finish packing.” Dorothy had no choice but to set the flowers down on the table and head over to stuff the last few already-folded clothes into the suitcase. The room suddenly felt awkward and tense. Calliope Godfrey threw a quick look at Conrad Hilliard, then broke the silence. “Mom, Conrad and I are gonna take things down to the car first.” She glanced back at Dorothy. “Dorothy, can you grab that bag? Conrad will take the suitcase.” Dorothy had just zipped th