Chapter 53 My Relationship with Albert

Elena Garcia POV:

I glanced at Amos and reminded myself that just because a lot of folks were fooled by Sofia and trusted her, it didn't mean everyone was against me.

I kept telling myself I'd find a way to expose Sofia eventually.

She couldn't really beat me.

"You make yourself vulnerable, thinking they won't embarrass you in public because your family's etiquette teacher told you not to. Even if there's a dispute, you should keep your cool to avoid shaming your family. But why do you think everyone will follow the rules? Some people never do," Albert said slowly.

Albert, even while hanging out with Amos, still kept tabs on me. He had a smile on his face, but his words felt like accusations.

"You can't even fight back," Albert added.

"Are you planning to humiliate me again?" I shot back at him.

Albert's words sounded a bit annoyed, but what was he mad about?

If he was upset because I was humiliated, why did he just stand by and watch?

Albert had no right to criticize my mistakes afterward.

"If you want to be a bystander, then go ahead. I thought you'd enjoy seeing my misfortune," I huffed.

When Amos offered to grab me some snacks, I agreed.

With him gone, I didn't have to pretend everything was fine anymore.

I looked at Albert, tired, and decided to be straight with him about my confusion.

"Albert, you make it hard for me to figure out how to get along with you. I don't want to push you away; you're family. But when I face you, I can't tell what you're thinking. If all your help was just for Marco, then I should see you as cold-hearted. I can't get through to you," I confessed.

I probably looked a bit sad.

When Sofia and her friends gave me trouble, I could ignore my sadness and act tough so I didn't cry. But facing Albert's critical words, I couldn't do it.

"Sometimes I wonder if, without serving Marco, you'd be like Sofia and think I don't belong. Do you think I shouldn't be at the Garcia Mansion?" I asked.

This thought crossed my mind the night I ran into him and Sofia, but my question was different then, and Albert had said I misunderstood him.

If it was a misunderstanding, then what did he really think about me being here?

Albert's smile froze, then vanished.

When he looked at me with no expression, it made him seem a bit scary, like he had taken off a mask.

"If you're asking if you should leave the Garcia Mansion, I'd say no. But if you're asking if you shouldn't be at the Garcia Mansion, I'd say yes," Albert said slowly.

"Is there a difference?" I was confused.

"If you think there's no difference, then that's the case. Elena, if you want to know my true thoughts about you, then my words are the answer," Albert replied.

There was no argument, not even a hint of anger, but it made me way more uncomfortable and angry.

When I was in the hands of those gangsters, in the basement, what kept me going was mostly my hatred for my adoptive father, Andrew.

My life was completely ruined by that bastard. I lost the family I loved the most and the family that loved me the most!

I had had no clue what those gangsters were planning to do to me. Back then, I was ready for the worst. I was even willing to drag Andrew to hell with me, which meant I had no attachment to my messed-up life.

But then, everything changed. Isabella showed up and reminded me I still had family.

It was like a sudden light in my dark world.

When I came to the Garcia Mansion, I was full of hope for my family, thinking they'd be just as excited about my arrival as I was.

But Albert's words felt like a slap in the face, telling me that besides Sofia, there was someone else who didn't want me here!

I felt like my lungs were about to explode with anger.

Why was he treating me like this? Why was he so harsh on his sister who had finally come home after being missing for years?

"Albert!" I shouted his name, but I couldn't say anything else.

I looked at Albert with disappointment and sadness.

"If you want to blame me, I have no objection, Elena. That's your freedom." Albert's expression stayed cold.

I thought that even if I screamed hysterically in front of him, he wouldn't react. And honestly, I was too mentally exhausted to even try.

Amos came back just then, breaking the tension between Albert and me.

Albert and I pretended like nothing had happened.

This damn unspoken understanding, only at times like this, did I see our family resemblance.

I watched Albert squat down, smiling again as he spoke to Amos. He teased, "Amos, you took too much chocolate cake. If Elena eats it all, she might worry about her weight."

"I won't," I said, taking the plate from Amos and patting his head. "Thanks, Amos."

Amos signaled to me that he took too much chocolate cake because it was really delicious.

I felt his joy in wanting to share it with me.

Before I could enjoy the snacks Amos brought, he tugged at my sleeve.

He used sign language to tell me he had something to share.

While he was getting the snacks, someone talked to him, hoping to chat with me, and asked Amos to relay the message.

I asked Amos who it was, and he pointed not far away.

There stood someone I knew all too well.

"Damn it," Albert saw the person too and rolled his eyes. "That persistent William. Why doesn't he just come over? Did you two have a fight?"

"I don't think that's any of your business," I shot back.

When I looked at William, he raised his hand and waved at me as a greeting.

He looked a bit embarrassed. I took a deep breath and nodded at him.

"Don't be so cold. I should know when I should recommend Marco to you," Albert muttered.

"Stop it, Albert. Marco and I are just friends," I explained.

"Friends? Have you and Marco ever talked about your relationship?" Albert pressed.

I answered Albert with silence.

Albert pressed his thin lips as if taking in some surprising news and then commented, "Incredible. Although it might not be appropriate to say this, I think Marco acts like a well-behaved puppy around you. I won't believe he would agree with your statement about the relationship between you two."

Who cared about Albert's thoughts? What did it matter if he didn't believe Marco and I were just friends?

"Don't meddle in others' relationships, Albert," I emphasized.

"This isn't meddling. Why can't you see it as me caring about you?" Albert muttered, "You should stay away from William; he is not a good guy."

"Like you?" I sneered.

"No, compared to him, I think I'm incredibly gentle, kind, and sincere," Albert replied.

"Stop it, Albert. You're making me sick," I glared at him. "Is William a worse playboy than you?"