Elena Says No
Chapter 16 - Elena Says No
Charlotte met Elena in the same hallway where she had accused her.
This time there was no crowd.
No camera.
No security officer.
Charlotte wore a simple navy dress. Elena wore her own clothes because the hotel had not yet returned her uniform.
“I want to ask you to help build the Bellmont Promise Fund,” Charlotte said.
Elena almost smiled.
“No.”
Charlotte blinked.
Elena continued, “You do not get to turn me into the symbol that proves you are a better person now.”
“That isn’t what I’m trying to do.”
“Maybe not. But it is what everyone else will do.”
Charlotte nodded slowly.
Elena stepped closer.
“I spent years being invisible here. Then you made me visible for the worst reason. I need time to decide what I want—not what the hotel wants, not what your foundation wants, and not what makes a good ending for the internet.”
Charlotte swallowed.
“I understand.”
“You don’t yet.”
“No,” Charlotte said. “But I’m trying to.”
Elena studied her.
Then she handed Charlotte a small object wrapped in tissue paper.
Inside was Margaret Wynn’s old silver coffee spoon.
“She gave me this because I kept burning the cinnamon coffee,” Elena said. “It is the only gift I ever accepted from her.”
Charlotte held it carefully.
“Why give it to me?”
“I’m not giving it to you. I’m showing you something your father could never understand.”
“What?”
“That your mother did not love people because of what they owned.”
Elena took the spoon back.
May you like
Then she walked away.
Charlotte did not stop her.
