Chapter 252
Theodore turned to Lesley and added, “You’ve been promoted too, No. 4”
Finnegan felt the veins in his temples throbbing. His expression darkened, looking as if he might explode at any
moment.
Elara stood up, preparing to leave, and casually asked, “Why are you giving my brother and Lesley nicknames
Theodore followed beside her as they walked out. “If my dear girlfriend doesn’t like it, I won’t call them that.”
Of course, this wasn’t just a nickname—it was a ranking. He’d just call thein that in secret.
After Elara and Theodore left, Lesley finally spoke. “Mr. Stapp is being unusually eager. Don’t you feel like something’s off about this?”
Finnegan let out a cold scoff. “Did you see how sly his grin looked?”
He picked up the bidding project proposal from the coffee table. “Right now, the only person who can help Elara. gain Abel’s trust and is still somewhat reliable for us–is Theodore.”
After a moment of careful thought, Lesley nodded in agreement.
Elara and Theodore sat in the car as the warm sunlight illuminated her face.
“Did you know Beau woke up?” Theodore’s voice broke the silence.
Elara nodded. “Yeah, Benjamin messaged me the moment he did.”
Since the day of Beau’s accident, Elara hadn’t taken Merida back to the hospital. Ethel was impossible to communicate with as every time she brought Merida, Ethel reacted as if they were intruding on enemy territory. Besides, Ethel had been stripped of several honorary positions in various charities, and she was itching to tear Elara apart. If she went back to the hospital now, Ethel would only start ranting again, which would disrupt Beau’s recovery.
“I’ve already done everything I could.”
Today, Atkina Church once again closed its doors to the public due to a visit from the Fisher family. Ethel knelt on a prayer cushion with her hands clasped, murmuring prayers under her breath.
Beau slumped in his wheelchair. His limbs were still encased in plaster, and he had a neck brace securing his head. His shaved head was wrapped in layers of gauze, and his expression was listless.
The scent of burning scented candles was unpleasant, and every breath he took was accompanied by a dull ache spreading through his entire body.
He had only woken up three days ago, yet Ethel had wasted no time in bringing him straight to the church to pray for God’s blessings.
The moment he regained consciousness, he had asked Ethel about Niamh. She told him Niamh had been detained. Ethel had cursed out viciously at the mere mention of Niamh. Beau hadn’t asked about her again after that.
Since waking up, his grandfather, father, and even his great–grandfather had come to visit him. But that woman. had not.
Chapter 252
+25 BONUS
While caring for him, Ethel constantly reminded him of how cold and Indifferent she had been
“When you got hurt, she didn’t even show a hint of emotion. She handed the police a whole pile of evidence to frame your father!
“When the nurses pushed you into intensive care, she did even spare you a glance–she just took Merida and left!
“I’ve been keeping watch outside your hospital room these past few days, barely sleeping, yet that woman never once came to see you.”
So, she really didn’t want him anymore. Even if he died, Elara wouldn’t shed a single tear for him.
Ethel then guided him through the grand cathedral, kneeling; in prayer before each statue of the saints. Beau sat in his wheelchair, his gaze cold as he stared at the serene and benevolent face of the Virgin Mary.
Then, something suddenly caught his eye. He parted his lips and said in a dry and hoarse voice. “Take me closer.
Zayne pushed his wheelchair forward as Beau’s eyes were locked onto a brightly lit prayer candle inscribed with letters: Beau Fisher.
“That’s my prayer candle!” he cried out.
Ethel was unimpressed and saw nothing remarkable about it. “Yeah, that is your candle.”
“Did you light it, Grandma?”
Just as Ethel was about to respond, Tony, who was standing nearby, spoke up. “Ms. Jones was here last week. She lit another candle for you.
Beau froze, and the golden glow of the candle reflected in his dark eyes. “Which Ms. Jones?”
Tony looked at him solemnly. “Last Thursday morning, as soon as the church doors opened, your mother was already standing outside, asking me to light another candle for you,
Beau murmured, “But I already blew it out…”
“She still prayed for you. She walked up the steps of this church, kneeling at every third step, just to make her request before God. She made a vow at the altar, and only then did I light the candle again.
“Ms. Jones said this was the only thing left that she could do for you.”
Beau listened as his small hands gripped the arms of his wheelchair. “What was her prayer?”
Tony gazed at him with quiet compassion. “She offered up her bond with you as your mother in exchange for prayer that you would grow up safe and healthy.”
“You’re saying… Elara lit this candle?”
Ethel was momentarily taken aback upon hearing Tony’s words. But she quickly scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain as she said, “She just wants to worm her way back into the Fisher family!!
She then glanced down and saw thick, heavy tears rolling down Beau’s cheeks. Feeling alarmed, she asked, “Are you in pain? Does something hurt?”
The candlelight wavered, stinging his eyes. Memories flooded back from last year, and the year before that–when The and Merida had played hide–and–seek in the church while Elara knelt before the altar, her hands clasped in
prayer.
“Mommy, what did you pray for?”
Chapter 252
“Of course, a prayer for you two.”
“Did you ask for me to become a big boss?” Beau asked.
“Maybe Mommy prayed for us to be smart and get top grades?” Merida added.
“Mommy’s prayer was simply for you both to grow up safe and healthy, free from harm and illness.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, that’s all. It doesn’t matter if you never become a big boss, and it doesn’t matter if your grades aren’t perfect. As long as you are safe and healthy, that’s enough.
Elara’s prayer had never changed. Time had twisted everything, but the one who had truly changed beyond recognition…. was him.
Even if she was no longer his mother, he still had to grow up safe and strong.
Beau could no longer hold back his cries. He broke down in ancontrollable sobs, wailing, “Mommy! I want Mommy!”
