Chapter 517 Knowing the Limits
Victoria's phone was on speaker, so Alexander heard everything too.
The couple exchanged glances.
They both suspected the same thing: Marlowe had disappeared again.
But this had nothing to do with Victoria.
"Look, Grant," Victoria said, "you can't just assume I have something to do with it every time Marlowe goes missing. I genuinely don't know anything this time."
Grant was about to respond when another deep male voice came through the phone, "Isn't your wife's whereabouts your responsibility? Why are you bothering my wife about it?"
The point was valid.
Grant knew he'd acted hastily.
But he'd searched everywhere and found no trace of Marlowe.
Over time, Victoria had noticed some changes in Grant. However, the pain he'd caused Marlowe ran deep. Even if she temporarily forgot her wounds because of his transformation, the scars remained. Like their relationship, some things could never return to their original state. Forgiveness was never simple.
Even if she forgave him, that didn't mean she'd take him back.
Victoria suddenly remembered something Marlowe had mentioned.
"Grant, why don't you try contacting Marlowe's parents?" she suggested.
Though she wasn't certain if Marlowe had actually gone to see them.
After hanging up, Grant immediately instructed Kevin to look into it.
Victoria tried calling Marlowe, but couldn't get through.
She opened Facebook to send a message, only to discover Marlowe had already left her one.
She hadn't checked her phone since morning, so she'd missed it.
"What is it?" Alexander asked, noticing her frozen expression.
Victoria showed him Marlowe's message.
Alexander raised an eyebrow, took her phone, turned off the screen, and slipped it into his pocket.
"That's enough. Grant can handle his own affairs. Don't worry about it," he said.
"Dylan, let's go," he called to the driver.
"Yes, Mr. Howard," Dylan responded.
At Stardust Valley, Marlowe sat in the car, hesitant to get out.
She stared at the small cottage in the distance, not yet ready to face her parents.
Elliot, watching her for some time, understood her concerns.
"Marlowe, your parents never blamed you," he said gently.
She turned to look at him.
Elliot sighed. "You're their only daughter. When they resigned and moved back here, it wasn't out of disappointment or blame. They just didn't want to be a burden to you. If anything, they blame themselves for not being able to protect you."
Marlowe's eyes welled up as his words sank in. Her chest tightened with emotion.
She'd never considered this perspective.
"Your parents have been waiting for you to come home," Elliot added.
His words were like a fan, clearing the fog from her mind.
"Thank you, Elliot."
She'd planned to come alone today, but he'd insisted on accompanying her, concerned for her wellbeing.
Elliot smiled and patted her head. "Come on, get out. No need for formalities between us—we're friends, aren't we? Do you want me to go with you? You used to use me as an excuse whenever your parents scolded you."
His tone was that of a family member.
Marlowe had always considered him family. She knew he was a good man, especially to her. But she also knew she couldn't love anyone else now.
With a slight smile, she said, "Alright, come with me."
Standing before the open door of the cottage, Marlowe observed the immaculate yard. The plants were well-tended—clearly her father Finnegan Rivera's work. He always insisted on cleanliness and order wherever he was.
Inside, her mother Katerina Richards heard movement and came out, saying, "Honey, why did it take you so long to... Marlowe!"
Katerina froze in disbelief at the sight before her.
The moment Marlowe saw her mother, her eyes filled with tears. With trembling lips, she uttered that long-overdue word, "Mom."
Hearing that familiar voice, Katerina realized this wasn't a hallucination. She began to shake with emotion.
Marlowe stepped toward her mother and choked out, "I'm sorry, Mom."
An apology she'd owed them for years.
Katerina, teary-eyed, reached out to touch her daughter's face. "Marlowe, is it really you? I'm not seeing things, am I?"
Her words broke Marlowe's composure completely. Her heart felt like it was being repeatedly stabbed. Tears streamed down her face as she held her mother's hand against her cheek and nodded.
Finnegan returned on his electric scooter to find a luxury car blocking the entrance. Confused and concerned by the crying he heard, he rushed inside.
At the doorway, he saw a tall figure.
"Elliot?" Finnegan paused, taking a moment to recognize him.
"It's me."
"What are you doing..."
Before he could finish, he heard a voice call out, "Dad."
The voice came from behind Elliot—familiar yet strange, as he hadn't heard it in many years.
Elliot stepped aside, revealing Marlowe.
She stared at her father, noticing how his once-golden hair had turned completely white.
Just a few years, and he'd aged so much.
She'd never imagined this.
She'd always thought they'd be better off without her—free from embarrassment and anger.
In that moment, she deeply regretted her past decisions.
Meanwhile, with Victoria's hint, Grant quickly tracked down Marlowe's whereabouts.
Kevin's investigation revealed that Elliot had taken her there, which only fueled Grant's anger.
Scowling as he sat on the sofa, Grant muttered, "If she wanted to see her parents, why didn't she tell me? Did she think I'd stop her?"
Kevin remained silent, choosing his words carefully.
Job security came first.
"Should we go find Mrs. Scott, Mr. Scott?" Kevin finally asked.
"Yes!" Grant couldn't bear the thought of Elliot spending time alone with his wife.
"But..." Kevin began.
Meeting Grant's intense gaze, he quickly changed course, "Should we bring some gifts? It would be impolite to arrive empty-handed."
Grant nodded. "Have the housekeeper prepare something."
"Right away."
Kevin had actually wanted to ask if they might get turned away—not by Marlowe this time, but by her parents.
After lunch, Victoria and Alexander returned to the research facility.
Billy had already arranged the meeting for that afternoon.
She had to admire his efficiency.
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