Chapter 461
Chapter 461:
Elianna would surely scold Donna for such behavior, deeming it unbefitting. Yet, had Elianna not pushed Donna this far?
“Are you watching a movie?” Callum asked, pretending not to see the snacks she was trying to hide. “It must be boring watching alone. Maybe we can grab some sodas and snacks, and then watch it together p>
Donna offered a smile and responded, “No need for that. We’ll be having dinner soon, and I don’t want to spoil my appetite.” Donna was always putting others before herself, even if it meant isolating herself upstairs.
Callum said, “Yelena’s back. How about we go to the home theater downstairs to enjoy a movie together p>
Donna wouldn’t really be comfortable wherever she was in this house, a fact that Yelena picked up on. So Yelena suggested, “I have an idea. How about we go out to a real theater? It’s more exciting p>
Yelena hesitated after her suggestion, wary of appearing too demanding.
The quick look of concern in Yelena’s eyes didn’t escape Callum, and he empathized with her too.
After exchanging looks, Callum and Donna simultaneously said, “Sure, let’s do that p>
Yelena nodded, pleased with their decision.
As they left the room, they encountered Elianna, unexpectedly awake from her nap at such an early hour.
It was unusual for Elianna to rise early, but Bella had awakened her.
Bella, uneasy after witnessing Yelena and Callum entering Donna’s room, suspected something was amiss.
Motivated by her suspicions, Bella had gone to alert Elianna. Although her sleep had been disrupted, Elianna held no grudge against Bella, whom she genuinely liked.
When Elianna noticed Callum and the others gearing up to leave, her expression grew stern. “Where are you planning to go at this hour, with dinner nearly ready?” Elianna asked, her gaze shifting to Donna. She saw Donna as the easiest to sway in the group.
𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊 𝖎𝖙 𝖈𝖆𝖒𝖊 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒:
Uncertainty flickered in Donna’s eyes as she hesitated to speak. Quick to intervene, Callum explained, “Mom, I’ve been invited to a dinner party by a business partner who insisted on including our family p>
At the mention of “family,” Bella’s face lost its color, whispering to herself, “Family p>
The sadness on Bella’s face struck a chord of compassion in Elianna.
In Elianna’s eyes, Bella had always been a member of the family, and she disapproved of Callum’s exclusion of her.
“What do you mean by ‘family’?” Elianna questioned sharply. “Doesn’t Bella count as family too? Weren’t you planning to include her p>
Callum, prompted by Elianna’s words, realized he had nearly left Bella out. Guilt washed over him as he noticed Bella’s eyes, brimming with tears.
“Are you coming along, Bella?” Callum inquired, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation.
It was clear to Bella that Callum was hoping she would decline the invitation.
He likely saw this as an opportunity to spend some quality time with his real family, which didn’t include her—the adoptive daughter. However, Bella had other plans.
Pretending to be uncertain, Bella replied, “Should I come? I mean, I’m not really p>
Before she could finish, Donna cut in, saying, “Of course, you should come. You’re as much a part of this family as anyone.” Bella, who had been left as an orphan at a young age, found solace in this family. Without the Harris family, she would be completely alone.
Donna, contemplating Bella’s circumstances, felt a surge of empathy. She had long treated Bella as her own child, ever since she took her under her wing.
“That’s more like it,” Elianna said warmly.
“Why don’t you dress up a bit fancier for the occasion?” Elianna added.
While addressing Bella, Elianna’s attention was drawn to Yelena, clad in casual jeans and a hoodie, which made her brow crease slightly.