By the time Elyssa got to the dining, Edric and the stranger woman who she was still finding it hard to believe was her mother were seated quietly, waiting for her arrival.
“My Charlene,” she rose on seeing her.
Elyssa did everything in her power to prevent herself from glaring at her. She had told her before her name wasn’t Charlene. Her name was Elyssa. But she wouldn’t listen.
“I’ve told you my name isn’t Charlene,” she replied curtly. “If you can’t bring yourself to call me by my real name – Elyssa, then don’t call me at all.”
Edric held her wrist, throwing her a stare that suggested she shouldn’t have replied to her in such a manner. But at that moment, she didn’t care.
She pulled away from his touch, not wanting to look him in the eyes as she settled on the other side of the din
