Chapter 145

Elaria got home. Mrs. Harmon had been worried sick all night and barely slept. As soon as she saw Elaria, she brewed some tea herself and sat down with her to have a heart-to-heart chat. When they started talking about little Ryan, Elaria's eyes lit up with affection, but there was a trace of sadness too. "He was born with Chloe, yet he's noticeably shorter and skinnier. Clearly, he didn't get enough care... I've got to make it up to him," she said, trying to sound light, but her tone betrayed her guilt. Mrs. Harmon's face turned somber as well, nodding in agreement. "Yes, yes, let's make sure to really take good care of him from now on." After a pause, she hesitated for a beat before cautiously bringing up her daughter's love life. Back in Viremont, she'd seen how often Vincent came to see Elaria. He was into art, a collector, and some of their conversations seemed to go on for hours. Mrs. Harmon knew there had been a flicker of hesitation in Elaria before they came back to Caelmoor.