Chapter 274:

Elyse spent most of her time rehearsing with the orchestra. As concertmaster for their upcoming performance, she dedicated herself to intense practice. Just as she was finishing, she received a call from Glenda, urging her to come home.

Having not spoken to her mother for a while and currently at odds with Mabel, Elyse was reluctant. She massaged her forehead wearily and replied carefully, “I’ve been swamped with work and haven’t had a chance to come home. If it’s important, we can discuss it over the phone.”

Glenda’s voice cracked. “It’s been ages since you got married. I miss you terribly. Please come home for dinner.”

This surprised Elyse. It was the first time Glenda had expressed such longing. This unexpected display of affection softened her reluctance. After a pause, she agreed. Glenda gave her an address—a hotel. Elyse assumed they would dine in the hotel restaurant.

She got into her car, instructed the driver to the hotel, and called Driscoll to cancel their dinner plans. The driver, puzzled by the hotel address, nonetheless drove her there.

Elyse found Glenda alone in an exclusive dining room. She sat down, asking casually, “Where’s Dad?”

Glenda smiled warmly, taking Elyse’s hand. “He’s busy. Let’s not bother him. It’s been so long since we’ve just talked and eaten together. I don't even know how you've been.”

This was a new, warmer Glenda, and Elyse was pleasantly surprised, though cautious.

“Why the sudden niceness?” Elyse asked suspiciously. “Is something wrong?”

Glenda’s affection for Mabel had historically overshadowed any shown to Elyse, making this change unsettling.

Glenda’s expression hardened. “Really? How badly do you think I’ve treated you?” She placed chicken on Elyse’s plate. “Since you got married and moved out, I’ve realized I need to be nicer.”

Elyse politely ate, but the chicken was overwhelmingly spicy. She quickly drank water.

“Don’t you like the pepper chicken?” Glenda asked, noticing her reaction.

“Mabel likes it. I don’t,” Elyse said, her smile fading.

Glenda’s smile faded. She added fish to Elyse’s plate. “It’s my fault. I haven’t been the best mother. This fish is mild.”

Elyse ate the mild dishes Glenda carefully selected.

After finishing, Elyse said stoically, “Mom, if you need something, just say it. I’ll help.”

Glenda masked her guilt. “There’s nothing. You’re overthinking it. I just missed you.”

Elyse’s mouth twitched; most dishes were Mabel’s favorites. Glenda barely ate, focusing on serving Elyse.

Elyse suspected more was afoot; Glenda and Lanny had betrayed her trust before.

“If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving,” she said, rising. But Glenda stopped her, checking the time. “It’s still early. Stay a bit longer.”

Reluctantly, Elyse paused. Glenda pleaded, “Just ten more minutes.”

Elyse sat, though reluctantly.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” Glenda said, quickly leaving.

Alone, Elyse’s emotions churned. She wished Glenda’s affection were genuine, but suspected otherwise. She yearned for even a small measure of maternal love, but even this felt insufficient to fill the void in her heart.