Chapter 43 You Used to Pursue Me
Looking toward the voice, Eliana saw a girl around ten years old in an elegant white dress calling out to her. Eliana was confused. The young girl ran over and grabbed her hand, saying, “Come with me, I’ll take you to see my dad.”
Still puzzled, Eliana followed while asking, “Excuse me, who are you? I don’t remember seeing you when I was here before.”
The girl giggled behind her hand and said, “I just came back from Canada with my mom, so of course you haven’t met me. But I’ve seen your photos – you’re very pretty.”
Eliana looked at her quizzically and asked, “So, you are…?”
“I’m Samuel’s grandfather’s sixth daughter,” she said, and explained, “The same generation as your father–in–law. Really, you should call me Aunt.”
Huh? Eliana was shocked – this girl was supposed to be her aunt? How old was grandfather when he had her? She briefly raised an imaginary eyebrow, but didn’t dare think about it. Still, Eliana remembered her manners and politely said, “Hello, Aunt.”
Just then, a pleasant voice called out, “Emma, who are you with?” Eliana turned to look. When she saw the smiling man walking toward them, she had another shock. This one complete shock. It was Michael Sinclair. The student who had pursued her for a year in college, and also the one she had always avoided. Why was he here at the Nelson family home? What connection did he have with the Nelsons?
Before Eliana could process this, the girl holding her hand sweetly called out, “Uncle Michael, I’m here to welcome my nephew’s wife!” Then, turning to Eliana, the girl introduced him: “This is my Uncle Michael, my mom’s younger brother, Michael Sinclair. Isn’t my Uncle Michael handsome?”
Meeting Michael’s gaze, Eliana struggled to hide her disbelief. Michael also stared at her, equally shocked by Emma’s words. They both stood there, looking at each other. One couldn’t believe Michael’s connection to the Nelsons. The other couldn’t believe the girl he’d liked and pursued for a year was married – and to a Nelson, no less. The Nelsons had only one son, the famous Samuel Nelson. So, Eliana had married Samuel. The man who gave lectures at their school every year. And he, Michael Sinclair never knew a thing. Damn.
The young girl, noticing their silent staring, asked curiously, “Uncle Michael, do you know my nephew’s wife?”
Eliana was the first to recover, quickly denying it: “No, I don’t think so,” she said, “I don’t know your uncle. Aunt Emma, shall we go?”
Emma frowned slightly and tugged at Michael, who looked somewhat dazed. “Well then,” she said, “Uncle Michael, you go ahead by yourself. I’ll take my nephew’s wife to see Dad.”
Michael snapped out of his brief reverie, and responded vaguely by saying, “Um, yes, I’ll go on ahead.”
Emma turned to Eliana and said, “Okay, let’s go, Eli,” and tugged Eliana along, skipping toward the main hall. After a few steps, Eliana looked back at the man still standing there. Though it felt cruel to say she didn’t know him, it was better to draw a clear line and let him move on. In any case, she couldn’t imagine loving anyone besides Samuel.
Soon, Emma led Eliana to the castle’s main reception hall. The spacious, luxurious hall was full of people. There was Samuel’s Grandpa Charles Nelson, with his third wife, Tiffany Sinclair. Also present were Charles’s four daughters, three sons–in–law, and numerous grandchildren and great–grandchildren. Even Henry Nelson and Elizabeth Nelson, Samuel’s parents, were there. The Nelson family traditionally had only one son but many daughters in each generation, so the responsibility of carrying on the family line fell entirely on Samuel’s shoulders.
Everyone was gathered around Grandpa Charles and engaged in lively conversation, creating a warm and harmonious family atmosphere. When Eliana and Emma arrived, the well–dressed crowd didn’t notice at first, until Emma announced, “Eli’s here!” At that, all eyes turned to Eliana.
The Pace of Rs Love
