The Poor Daughter They Ignored Was Actually A Billionaire Chapter 09
Three days later, someone knocked on my hotel door.
I opened it.
My parents stood outside.
Elliot was behind them.
Sabrina stood last.
Melanie had somehow come too.
Of course she had.
My mother held two shopping bags.
My father held flowers.
Elliot looked around the suite the second I let them in.
“Jesus.”
He pulled out his phone.
“What does this place cost per night?”
“Put the phone away.”
He did.
My mother pushed Sabrina forward.
“Go on.”
Sabrina’s face was tight.
She looked at me.
“Elena.”
“About the wedding.”
She swallowed.
“I was wrong.”
“I shouldn’t have tried to set you up.”
“I shouldn’t have told everyone your business.”
“And I shouldn’t have let people laugh.”
My mother jumped in.
“She knows she was wrong.”
“She’s barely eaten.”
“She’s been crying nonstop.”
I looked at Sabrina.
She did not look like she had been crying nonstop.
My father nodded.
“She’s your sister.”
“Blood is blood.”
I almost laughed.
For twenty-eight years, whenever Sabrina hurt me, I had heard one sentence.
You’re older.
Let it go.
She’s younger.
Be mature.
She had never been forced to apologize to me before.
Now my mother had practically dragged her to my hotel.
Not because anyone had developed a conscience overnight.
Because my value had changed.
I was no longer the daughter they could afford to lose.
“Apology accepted.”
My mother brightened.
“Good.”
“But that doesn’t mean anything goes back to normal.”
Her smile paused.
I looked at all of them.
“I leave for Boston in two days.”
Elliot’s face lit up.
“Boston?”
“We’ve never been to your place.”
“You should have us over.”
I nodded.
“Sure.”
“I can book you a hotel.”
My mother’s smile disappeared.
“A hotel?”
“Yes.”
She frowned.
“Elena, you’re a billionaire.”
“Your house must be huge.”
“Why would your own family stay in a hotel?”
I looked at her.
Then I smiled.
“When I came home, where did you make me sleep?”
Silence.
My mother opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
I waited.
She looked away.
“Exactly.”
Elliot suddenly became interested in the view.
My father cleared his throat.
I walked to the door and opened it.
“My home is mine.”
“If you visit, I’ll happily pay for your hotel.”
“But you won’t stay with me.”
My mother looked wounded.
“Elena.”
“You’re really not going to forgive me?”
I thought about it.
Then I answered honestly.
“No.”
Her face went still.
I did not yell.
I did not cry.
I simply held the door open.
One by one, they left.
Sabrina was last.
She paused.
For a second, I thought she might say something.
She didn’t.
The door closed.
The suite became quiet again.
I stood there for a moment.
Then I went back to work.