They Wanted Family Drama And I Wanted A Property Deed Chapter 11
That weekend, Eleanor and Thomas came to the Harts’ house.
Thomas wore a casual shirt and carried two boxes of pastries. Eleanor was in her usual silk dress
and shawl, soft and warm – but she had Richard and Catherine so nervous they looked like they
were about to sit for the SATs.
The two families sat at the same table.
Richard raised his coffee cup and said to Eleanor and Thomas, dead serious, “Thank you for raising
Lena so well.”
Eleanor glanced at me, her smile gentle. “She was already wonderful. We just never let anyone
make her feel small.”
I took a bite of honey-glazed brioche. Hit the spot perfectly.
Then Catherine picked up a piece and put it on my plate. Her voice was a little careful. “Lena, try
this one. I learned it from Eleanor.”
I took a bite.
A little too sweet. The bread wasn’t quite soft enough.
But I saw the look in her eyes – hopeful, waiting. So I nodded.
“Not bad. Less sugar next time.”
Catherine’s eyes lit up.
Bennett whispered, “Mom, Lena said ‘not bad.’ That’s basically a rave review.”
Sophia nodded like a bobblehead. “Right. If she didn’t say it’s bad, that means she loves it.”
I shot them both a look. “You two are getting pretty good at interpreting me.”
Bennett grinned. “We learned from the best. Keep things clean. Say what you mean. Settle the score.
Don’t go to bed with a grudge.”
Sophia raised her glass. “To my sister – the suburban princess who cures all forms of messy.”
Catherine laughed and raised her glass too.
Richard cleared his throat and added, seriously, “And to Mr. and Mrs. Vance. Thank you for giving, Lena the best upbringing anyone could ask for.”
Thomas waved his hand, smiling ear to ear.
“Our upbringing was simple. Just one sentence.”
All eyes were on him.
Thomas said slowly, “My girl? She doesn’t beg for love.”
I blinked. Then I laughed.
Outside the window was the Harts’ newly renovated garden. The tacky fountain was gone. In its place: a small creek, stone pathways, and a few osmanthus trees.
The wind blew. The scent of osmanthus was faint and sweet.
I realized then this place wasn’t clean at first. But at least it could be fixed.
As for me?
I’m still that suburban princess.
Sweet smile. Steel spine. Money. Home.
Whoever loves me, I’ll love them back twice as hard.
Whoever makes me small? I’ll return them on the spot.
Life, after all, is all about keeping things clean.
