Chapter 23

Sophie and Magda exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing: if Stella remained in the house with Ramon, she would surely use the situation to reconnect with Charles. Sophie felt sorry for Elizabeth already, knowing she would be hurt again.

Charles was the first to exit the study, leaving them behind. In the living room, he found Elizabeth waiting.

"Honey!" Elizabeth exclaimed, rising from the couch as soon as she spotted Charles.

"What are you doing here?"

Elizabeth felt hurt by his question. "I heard that Grandpa Ramon wasn't feeling well and—"

"You shouldn't be here, especially because it might upset him more."

Elizabeth couldn't hide the pain on her face. She looked at Charles with tears in her eyes. She felt like a parasite, unwelcome and burdensome. "Charles, if I had known your grandfather would dislike me even more, I would never have agreed to let you marry Stella."

Charles shut his eyes tightly as a headache started. He felt sorry for Elizabeth, but that was all.