The Bride He Took For Granted novel Chapter 52

The Bride He Took for Granted

Chapter 52

Elise refused without hesitation.

“As far as I know, everything this family owns-including the company-is meant for Dora.”

Her voice remained calm.

“She’ll be eighteen in two years. If the company’s in trouble by then, you can always find her a good marriage to help the family out. I’m sure she’d be more than willing-”

Before Elise could finish, Leonard finally lost control.

He stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face.

The living room went completely silent,

Leonard had struck Elise more than ten times over the years and punished her more times than she could count.

But he had never slapped her across the face before.

“Elise! Elise, where are you?”

Chloe’s voice came from outside.

After the police had been useless the last time, she had brougħil6

Chapter 52

straight into the house.

Elise covered one side of her face and stared at Leonard.

Her eyes were cold and empty, but the hatred in them was unmistakable.

Leonard rarely looked Elise directly in the eye.

But when he met her gaze now, something in his chest twisted

sharply.

The pain was so sudden that he bent forward.

Sharon rushed to his side.

“Are you okay?”

Then Chloe stormed into the room.

The second she saw the red handprint on Elise’s face, she snapped.

“What the hell is wrong with you two? Why do you keep treating her like this?”

She glared at Leonard and Sharon.

You know what? Someday, you’re going to get exactly what13006

Chapter 52

Her voice shook with anger.

“And when you’re old, you’d better hope Dora takes care of you. Because if she doesn’t, don’t come looking for Elise. I won’t let her lift a finger for either of you.”

Chloe grabbed Elise’s hand, snatched up her bag, and headed for the door.

“Come on. We’re leaving.”

She was still furious when they got into the car.

“How can anyone treat their own daughter like that?”

Chloe cursed almost the entire drive.

Elise sat quietly beside her.

Her own chest still ached, but she knew Chloe was angry because she cared. She didn’t want to stop her from letting it

out.

The problem was, the more Chloe vented, the angrier she became.

She kept accelerating and braking too hard, and at one point nearly clipped a truck.

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Chapter 52

Elise’s heart jumped into her throat.

Her life was already enough of a mess.

She wanted to fix it, not die in a car accident.

“Pull over,” she said quickly. “I’ll drive.”

Once Elise took the wheel, the ride became noticeably smoother, though she drove a little slower.

As they neared Maplewood Estates, Chloe’s phone rang.

It was her mom, Jennifer Bennett.

Chloe suddenly remembered that she’d promised to go to a spa appointment with her.

Turning her head away, she covered her mouth and whispered into the phone, “I’m busy. Rain check? Bye.”

Elise had already heard Jennifer’s voice.

She turned on her signal, pulled over, and put the car in park.

“You’ve been away for a while,” she said as she unbuckled her seat belt. “Go spend some time with your mom.”

Chloe grabbed the strap of Elise’s seat belt before she puld get06

Chapter 52

“My mom’s going to live to be a hundred. I can spend time with her later.”

Elise forced a casual smile.

“And I’m not going to live to a hundred? You can spend time with me later too.”

Then she added, “Besides, you can’t sleep anywhere but your own bed. You’ll toss and turn all night and keep me awake.”

Chloe stared at her for a moment.

When she realized Elise was serious, she reluctantly unbuckled

her seat belt.

“Fine. But call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Elise watched Chloe drive away until her car disappeared around the corner.

Then she stood alone in the evening breeze for a while.

Suddenly, she missed Jane so much that her chest hurt.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she called her.

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Chapter 52

The moment Jane answered, Elise managed only one word.

“Mom…”

Her voice broke.

She immediately hung up and clenched her jaw, refusing to cry.

Jane called back almost at once.

Elise took several deep breaths before answering.

“Daisy? Why did you hang up? What’s wrong?”

Elise forced out a small laugh, hoping Jane wouldn’t hear the

tremble in her voice.

“Nothing. I just… miss you.”

“Then turn on your camera. Let me see you.”

Elise instinctively touched her swollen cheek.

There was no way she could let Jane see her like this.

“I can’t right now.” She paused. “Mom… I want to come home for New Year’s.”

N9, Daisy. Don’t come back.”

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Chapter 52

Elise went still.

Jane hesitated before continuing.

“Eric’s back… and those guys he used to hang around with keep coming by looking for him.”

Jane’s son, Eric Brooks, had never really settled down.

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