Chapter 32: Esmeralda Langford
As Elliot Grant continued the story, Eleanor began to see her mother in a new light. What unfolded was a tale of
resilience, rebellion, and unwavering strength. Her mother hadn’t been a tragic, weak figure as she had been led
to believe all these years. No... Esmeralda Langford had been a fighter. A woman who defied the odds and dared
to live on her own terms.
"She started her business in Manchester," Mr. Grant said, "because our family had influence here. And because
she wanted to prove to her father that her decision was the right one. That's why she avoided Birmingham... she
didn’t want to depend on anyone from her family."
Within a few short years, Esmeralda’s construction company had grown into one of the largest firms in the
region. Manchester was booming, and she had seized the opportunity with both hands.
"But," Elliot continued with a sigh, "success cat a cost. Her relationship with her father deteriorated rapidly.
They tried to mend it after a while, and she began visiting hagain... but everything fell apart when he tried
to arrange a marriage for her... with syoung, up-and-coming politician."
Eleanor leaned forward slightly, engrossed.
"While that argument was still ongoing, tragedy struck. Your grandmother died in a car accident. The police ruled
it a mechanical failure... the driver of the other vehicle was arrested, but many of us suspected it was something
more... sinister. An attempt on your grandfather's life, perhaps. He was supposed to be in the car that day, only
he was called away last minute for a political meeting."
Mr. Grant paused, letting the weight of those words settle.
"That incident shattered any chance of reconciliation between your mother and grandfather. After the funeral,
Esmeralda never returned home. She poured all her energy into the business. The company expanded quickly
and was eventually listed on the stock exchange. She kept building and growing, as if trying to outrun the pain."
Eleanor felt a strange mix of pride and sorrow swell in her chest.
"But," Elliot said, voice softening, "we were worried. She was over thirty-five by then... still single, no partner in
sight. The rest of us had settled down, started families. She just... worked. Day and night. It was like she was
trying to fill a void she couldn't name. Her health started to suffer."
He smiled faintly, as if remembering a shared conspiracy. "So, we... her business partners and friends, decided to
force her into a break. We arranged a vacation for her under the guise of a ‘timber sourcing trip.” She visited
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, supposedly for business. But really, we just wanted her to relax."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEleanor chuckled softly through her tears. "Did it work?"
"Oh, it worked alright," he said, his expression turning nostalgic. "She cback from that trip... different.
Calmer. Happier. A month later, she told us she was pregnant.”
Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat.
"But she never told us who the father was," Mr. Grant continued. "We asked... smore directly than others...
but she refused to say. It beca topic we just... avoided."
"And then?" Eleanor prompted, already sensing what was coming.
"At sixth month, she fell ill," he said, his voice suddenly weighed down. "Doctors found abnormalities in the
fetus... stronger heart rate, abnormal body temperature fluctuations. They said the baby was... different.
Healthy, but different. Too strong for her body to handle."
Eleanor’s eyes widened.
"The doctors recommended terminating the pregnancy. Said it was the only way to save her. But she refused.
Flat out. Even when they told her she might not survive childbirth, she wouldn't listen."
A lump formed in Eleanor’s throat.
"She told me," Elliot said, voice shaking slightly, "that she didn’t care about her own life anymore. She had made
her choice. She said that the child growing inside her was her miracle. A gift. She'd fight for her baby until the
very end."
Tears spilled freely down Eleanor’s cheeks. She didn’t bother to wipe them away.
The room fell silent, broken only by the occasional sob that escaped her lips. Her chest felt tight... like her heart
had been squeezed into a vice.
All her life, she had believed lies.
Jeanne had fed her stories about how her mother had forced herself into William Whitmore’s life, how she had
died as a punishment from God. She'd painted a picture of a shameless woman whose death was a blessing for
everyone involved.
Eleanor had believed it.
She'd believed that her mother was someone unworthy of love or respect. That Jeanne had been her savior.
But the truth... the truth was like a blade. Her mother had died to bring her into the world. Had faced certain
death just to hold her in her arms... if only for a moment.
How could she have ever resented a woman like that?
She had never even mourned her mother. Never visited her grave with love in her heart. Instead, she had gone
through life proud that she didn’t miss her. That she hadn't cried for her.
What kind of daughter was she?
After a long, heavy silence, Eleanor finally spoke. Her voice was raw and hoarse. "What about my grandfather?
Did he ever cto see me?"
Mr. Grant hesitated, then shook his
[1 :
head. "Your mother made us promise
to keep you hidden from the m
Langford farmiy-SH as terrified
thatlif Dif grandfather found out
, 2 ang
about you, he'd force you into politics
like he tried with her. You were a
f P
child... You wouldn't have had the
strength to resist. And there was no
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grandmother left to protect you." The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
He looked at her solemnly.
I" :
So, we kept our promise. After her
death, the Langfords cand took
her body back to Birmin hams Yqur
Reyne dh to care for
yun left her estate in your name
as a safeguard. Your mother
arranged for that nanny to be paid for
fifty years. It was her way of making
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sure you were always protected.” The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
Eleanor wiped at her eyes with a tissue, then asked, "What about her grave in Southern Cemetery? I've visited
it.
q " A
Mr. Grant looked guilty. "That grave is
empty. She purchased it herself, just
in case. We buried an Empty EvHin to
maintaihthe Wusion. Her real body
was taken to Birmingham by her
family. Not even William knew the
[1 .
truth.” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
A chill ran through Eleanor. "So, | never actually visited my mother’s grave."
"No," he said. "But my sister might be able to help. She attended the burial in Birmingham and had sties to
the Langfords. She still works in politics. If you'd like, | can arrange for you to meet her."
Eleanor nodded, wiping her tears again. "Yes. Please call her. | want to know everything. | want to visit her grave.
I need to."
Mr. Grant stepped aside and made a quick phone call. A few minutes later, he turned back with a smile. "She
agreed to meet you tomorrow morning at her office."
Eleanor stood, her legs slightly shaky. "Thank you, Uncle. And now... let's go see Aunt. | haven't seen her in
years."
Mr. Grant offered a gentle smile and extended his arm to her. "She'll be happy to see you. Let's go."