Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 245

Chapter 245 Tears At The Gate

A sharp cry broke through the tension.

Nina let out a startled yelp and went down hard, her small body hitting the stone, her chin striking the ground with a sickening thud.

Lydia rushed forward at once, pulling her daughter tightly into her arms. Blood streamed down the child’s chin, and Lydia’s voice rose into a trembling wail. “Please, don’t be angry, I’m grateful you took us in. I’ve never had any other intentions… I know you don’t like me. You think I took his favor from you. If you’re upset, take it out on me. Nina is only eight. She’s innocent…”

Elspeth’s face darkened, anger flashing in her eyes. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Please don’t be angry…” Lydia looked up through tear-filled eyes, her voice breaking. “I’ve had no luck in life. My parents died not long after I married. I barely had time to raise Nina before my husband passed too. I had nowhere else to go. For her sake, I came here… I’ve always treated you with respect, tried to be careful around you. I don’t understand why you can’t stand us…”

Her voice cracked, tears slipping down her face one after another.

Avenlor never truly slept. Even now, with night settled in, the streets were still lit and alive.

The commotion at the gates of Duskmoor Manor had grown loud enough to draw a crowd.

Lydia sat on the ground, her clothes plain and slightly worn, her frame slender, her hair loosened just enough to look unkempt. Tears clung to her cheeks, making her look fragile, wronged, like someone pushed too far.

In her arms, Nina looked pale and shaken, dried blood still marking her chin, wide eyes filled with fear.

Across from them, Elspeth stood rigid with anger, her voice sharp, her posture unyielding.

The contrast was enough. The crowd began to lean.

“A widow raising a child on her own… that’s not easy.”

“Look at that poor girl, that must hurt. Any mother would be beside herself.”

“They’re family. There’s no need to go this far…”

Murmurs built, growing louder.

Then someone in the crowd shouted, “Jealous shrew!”

The word hit like a spark in dry grass. The whispers turned into open criticism.

“They’re already struggling, and she’s still pushing them this far…”

“The Marchioness of Havenstead is too harsh…”

Voices rose one over another, pressing in.

09:31 Tue, May 12 NM J.

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Chapter 245 Tears At The Gate

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Elspeth trembled, fury and humiliation twisting together. She had sever been subjected to this kind of public judgment.

“You fools-”

She was about to snap when a hand gently caught her wrist. Elspeth turned sharply, meeting Elowen’s calm

gaze.

“Ella…”

Her eyes stung, the anger giving way to something raw and close to breaking.

Elowen gave her hand a light squeeze, steadying her, then looked toward Lydia, who was still weeping on the ground.

Her voice was unhurried, almost conversational. “When I was little and got hurt, my mother would call for a physician right away. If she had spent all that time crying instead, the bleeding would’ve stopped on its

own.”

Lydia’s sobbing faltered. She forced a weak smile. “You’re right… I’m not used to these situations. I saw her bleeding and panicked. I didn’t even think to call for help…”

Elowen didn’t press her.

Instead, she turned slightly. “Cora, go bring Doctor Dray.”

Cora nodded and left at once.

Elowen’s gaze swept across the onlookers before settling back on Lydia. Her tone remained even. “My aunt came here earlier. If you wanted her to return, you could’ve come sooner. Why choose this hour?”

Lydia’s eyes flickered. “Are you suggesting I came with ulterior motives? I-”

“I’m not suggesting anything,” Elowen cut in smoothly. “I just don’t understand. You keep saying you care about the child. You’re alone, carrying a frail little girl all the way here, then sitting outside the gates making a scene. It’s late, the roads are long, and the air is cold. Does that really look like care?”

The words landed clean and sharp.

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