Tied by Law, Torn by Love

nd aunt, their eyes flickering with concern. Elena, meanwhile, sat quietly, trying to steady the st

uncle watched her with worried eyes. There was a silence between t

woman asked, her voice soft but laced with deep concern,

her like a second skin. "The surgery went well. He's still

ut the furrow in their brows remained. They knew this w

and pulled out the land certificate, her fingers brushing

," she said, her voice low but resolute, the

xchanged looks, their faces refle

is high. We don't have enough money to

capital for our new business," the aunt added, her g

e knew her aunt and uncle weren't rejecting he

ear," the uncle

smile. "It's okay,

er arm. "What if you come with me? I think I know someone

. Even though they couldn't offer direct help, they

magazine-sprawling, sleek, and luxurious, with bold architec

yes scanning the stone and wood façade, the wide balcon

comed them and led th

woman appeared with a confi

the woman asked as she greeted Elena's a

u to my niece-this is Elena," Marissa said, introducing Elena t

na's hand and gently led her back to the sofa. She sat beside Elena, flas

rry, Ma

h once-you saved me from a pickpocket. I think it wa

world," Marissa chi

u had such a courageou

dress?" Narima nodded. "I'm so sorry I

ly. Elena scratched the back of her neck, though she was just fine, and returned the

er a photocopy of the land certificate to her. Narima examined the document, then

d," she added. "We'll contact y

od and prepared to le

thoughtfully at the copy of the land deed in her hands. Her s

erself, her fingers gently tracing the edge of t

sell her land first-her last major asset-only after exhausting other possibilities. That kind of dec

y of that day on the beach-when Elena had bravely stood up to a thief-flashed throu

phone and dialed her

name is Elena. Get me everything you can find-background, family, education

t, sensing Narima's rare tone of in

. Her gaze drifted toward the hallway where

d softly. "This girl might be th

*

le, felt his frustration surge when his phone rang - his mother again. She had b

there she was - his mother - standing like a general awaiting a disobedient soldier. Ar

s voice cut through the air like ic

ered, dropping onto the sofa, loosening his

asked, cold and direct."That b***h!" she

pped somethin

t ever call Natasha that again! She's not some

ressed tension trembled. He had always known his mother

elling at your mother?" Her eyes gleam

ne!" Elvano's voice trembled. "You treat me like I don

what's best for you!" she

"You want what's best for

as it flared, leaving behind

rima clutched her chest dramatically,

was all an act. His mother was

g of guilt t

admit it, he knew his

g her over me?"

oment, replaced by guilt.

, her voice like broken glass. "But you're t

f, her shoulders stiff.

on't ask me to leave her!" His voice cracked with de

on him, fire bla

sha," she growled, "and marr

the door sl

d like a gavel

inal word rang in his ears

it to himse

rry

ed to vanish. His chest tightene

really

nd the woman who gave him life -

erything he cherished

nfocused, a single question consuming h

contin