Chapter 6 Unveiled Intentions

His long-time love still refuses to accept his proposal, but his mother has already chosen a new bride for him. Now, Elvano must decide: defy his own blood, or betray the woman who's stood by him all this time.

"Seriously?" Elvano tugged at his hair in frustration, his chest heavy with a swirl of conflicting emotions. There was no way he could marry another woman, not like his mother wanted. How could he betray his longtime love? No way.

Desperate, Elvano pounded on the door of his mother's room, pleading for her to come out, but there was no response. No answer at all. Furious and bewildered, he kicked at the air and stormed off. Right now, more than anything, he craved a comforting embrace and support from his girlfriend.

***

The following day, Elena returned to Narima's house. Narima sat beside her, a photocopy of the land deed she had handed over resting in his hands.

"Elena, I've completed the survey, and my assistant has done the valuation. But it turns out the appraised value of this land is higher than the offer you made yesterday." Narima handed her the land valuation report his assistant had provided.

"Really?" Elena raised an eyebrow, her surprise evident. She began to flip through the bound report.

"Yes," Narima replied, letting Elena examine the property valuation document.

Elena quickly skimmed the report, flipping through the pages with practiced ease. She was familiar with such documents and knew which sections demanded her attention. When she finally reached the page she was searching for, it felt as though the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her pupils fixed and unmoving, like glass.

"Wow... is the world going crazy? How can land be this expensive?" Elena whispered to herself, the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

While most people would have welcomed the higher land prices as a windfall, Elena felt the exact opposite. It only meant that finding buyers for the inflated land would become even harder. Only large companies might be willing to pay such a steep price.

Currently, based on her calculations, the value of the land had increased by 50 percent. It was understandable-Elena had only estimated the price based on figures from three years ago. She hadn't bothered to check the current market rates, rushing through the process without much thought.

"So... ma'am-"

"Just call me by my name."

"Okay, Narima. So... you're not going to buy the land?" Elena asked, her shoulders slumping with defeat. It was clear she already knew the answer.

Narima offered a soft smile, sensing the fear and frustration radiating from the young woman before her. She was about to respond when Elena hurriedly spoke again, desperation creeping into her voice.

"What if we go with the old price I offered you yesterday? Would you buy it then? You don't have to take the whole plot-just 2,000 or 3,000 square feet would mean the world to me," Elena pleaded, her eyes filled with hope. She needed the money, and she needed it fast.

"Elena," Narima said gently, reaching out to hold her hand. "I can buy the land at the current price. In fact, I'd like to buy it right now."

Relief washed over Elena's face, her features lighting up with gratitude. But just as hope bloomed in her chest, Narima added softly,

"On one condition-you become my daughter-in-law."

The light drained from Elena's face in an instant. She stared at Narima, her mind struggling to process the words. Her lips parted slightly, her wide, unblinking eyes betraying her shock.

"E-excuse me?" Elena stammered, hoping she'd misheard.

"Yes, Elena. I want you to marry one of my sons and become my daughter-in-law," Narima repeated, her voice calm but filled with a quiet determination. "I know it sounds strange, but I only want what's best for my son. And from what I've seen... you're the right person."

"I'm sorry, Narima. I really need the money, but I can't sacrifice the feelings of someone who's been by my side for a long time," Elena said gently, trying to convey that she already had someone in her life-someone she couldn't just disregard.

"I understand," Narima replied, her voice soft but firm, "but my desire to have you as my daughter-in-law is stronger than you think. I just want a good wife for my son, and I see that in you."

Elena couldn't help but smile, a playful curve tugging at the corner of her lips. It all felt surreal. They'd only met a handful of times, exchanged a few conversations-and yet here was Narima, speaking as if she'd known her forever.

"We barely know each other," Elena said with a light chuckle, trying to ease the tension. "You don't even know my personality, and I don't know who your son is. Wouldn't he be surprised if you suddenly set him up with me? What if he already has a girlfriend?"

Narima smiled warmly, undeterred by Elena's polite refusal. In fact, it only deepened her resolve. She reached out, gently clasping Elena's hand, her touch both firm and comforting.

"Elena, please... just listen to me," Narima pleaded softly, her eyes filled with earnestness. "Yes, my son does have a girlfriend. But she's not the right woman for him. I see through her façade-she's not good for him. I'm afraid he'll be devastated when he realizes the truth, but by then it might be too late. I want you to help me save him from someone like her."

Narima's words hung in the air, heavy and unshakable.

"This isn't just about me buying your land," Narima continued, her grip on Elena's hand tightening slightly. "I know you need the money-for the land, for your father's hospital bills. Let's help each other. You save my son, and I'll help you with your problems."

Elena's heart raced. Narima's words struck a chord, igniting a storm of conflicting emotions. It was true-she desperately needed the money. But could she really do this? Could she betray her own heart just to solve her financial struggles?

"I'm sorry if I seem selfish," Narima whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "But I admit it-I am selfish. I have to be, for my son. One day, if you become a mother, you'll understand why I'm doing this."

Her gaze was gentle, sincere-no trace of manipulation, no hidden agenda. Just raw, honest desperation from a mother trying to protect her child.

Elena felt a wave of confusion crashing over her, drowning her in doubts she wasn't prepared to face. Her eyes-dark, thoughtful, searching-met Narima's with an intensity that neither of them could ignore.

"What if you end up being more disappointed in me than in your son's girlfriend?" Elena whispered, her voice fragile yet steady. "You don't really know who I am."

Narima's response was a simple, warm smile-one that held no judgment, only quiet understanding.

Inwardly, Narima felt a sense of relief mixed with admiration for Elena's courage to speak her mind. There was a rare sincerity in Elena's tone, an honesty Narima seldom encountered in the people around her. It was refreshing-genuine.

But that relief was short-lived. A wave of unease crept in, tightening around her chest. She knew that what she was about to admit could shatter the fragile trust that had just begun to form between them.

"No, Elena," Narima said softly, her voice steady but tinged with guilt. "Just by observing your behavior, I was already convinced that you're an exceptional woman. And that confidence only grew after I asked my assistant to... look into your background."

The words slipped out, heavier than she expected.

Elena shot up from her seat. Her gaze was piercing, her face flushed red, and her breath caught in her throat.

"What do you mean?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling with sharp intensity. "You investigated me... without my consent?"

Narima stood as well. "Elena, I only-"

"How could you?" Elena cut her off. Her fists clenched at her sides, trying to contain the surge of emotions threatening to spill over. "I thought... I truly thought you were helping me out of kindness. But now..."

She lowered her gaze for a moment, then looked Narima straight in the eyes. Her stare was cold, wounded, and laced with bitter disappointment.

"Even before I said yes, you had already crossed the line."

Silence blanketed the room. The only sound was the ticking of a nearby clock.

Then, in that thick stillness, Elena turned away. But just before she took a step, she spoke softly, without looking back,

"If this is how you choose a daughter-in-law... I'm not sure your son deserves a wife."

To be continued...