Chapter 28

Chapter28

Eleanor hesitated at the door, her hand poised to knock. She wasn't eager to please Clara, but she couldn't bear to disappoint Victoria either. Just as her knuckles were about to meet the wood, Clara's voice drifted through, sharp and cutting.

"You're such a delight, my dear. Far superior to your sister."

"Please, Grandma Clara, Eleanor has her qualities too."

"Qualities? She's nothing but a reckless, uncultured girl. Her recent actions have tarnished our family's name!" Eleanor's hand dropped to her side.

"If it weren't for Victoria's insistence, I would never have allowed Nathaniel to marry her in the first place!" Clara's voice rose. "Victoria must have done this deliberately. She knew I favored you, yet she pushed for Nathaniel to marry Eleanor. It's all just to vex me!"

Eleanor's heart sank. She turned away, her steps heavy as she retreated down the hallway. The weight of Clara's words pressed on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She had always known Clara's disdain, but hearing it so plainly was a different kind of pain.

As she reached the grand staircase, she paused, gripping the banister tightly. The opulent chandelier above cast a cold, glittering light, reflecting the icy atmosphere of the house. Eleanor's mind raced, torn between her duty to Victoria and her own self-respect.

She descended the stairs slowly, each step echoing in the vast emptiness of the mansion. The sound of her heels clicking against the marble floor seemed to mock her, a reminder of the gilded cage she found herself in.

Reaching the bottom, Eleanor glanced at the grand clock in the foyer. Time seemed to stretch endlessly in this house, each minute a test of her endurance. She squared her shoulders, determined not to let Clara's words break her. She had faced worse, and she would face this too.

As she walked towards the garden, the fresh air offered a brief respite. The scent of blooming roses filled her lungs, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. Eleanor found a secluded bench and sat down, her thoughts swirling like the autumn leaves around her.

She knew she had to find a way to navigate this treacherous terrain, to protect herself while still honoring her commitments. But for now, she allowed herself a moment of quiet, a small rebellion against the chaos that surrounded her.",