Chapter 4031
Married At First Sight Chapter 4031
Chapter 4031
The Ormond family’s history of misfortune had instilled a profound caution, particularly regarding the idea of a son-in-law. Although none existed yet, their anxiety was palpable, evident in how Elora’s uncles were excluded from any involvement in the family business. The underlying fear was straightforward: an outsider, even by marriage, could disrupt their affairs or attempt to take control of the Ormond fortune.
This distrust also extended to the women. Elora’s aunts were barred from interfering in family matters, worried that they might be swayed or exploited by their in-laws if they let their defenses down.
At 27, Elora had not considered dating. She fully recognized that introducing a partner would invite suspicion—not only from her elders but also from herself.
She had witnessed numerous cautionary tales about men who married into wealthy families, leveraged their wives’ connections to amass fortunes, and then discarded them for younger, more glamorous women. Some even went so far as to entirely seize the family’s wealth, leaving destruction in their path.
Even if she found a match of equal standing, Elora remained doubtful. The only scenario she deemed secure was marrying into a family whose wealth surpassed hers and whose values were beyond reproach. To date, she had yet to meet anyone meeting that standard. Most men she encountered were overt in their pursuit of the Ormond fortune.
“I’ll run two more laps, then head back and get ready for work,” Elora said, breaking the silence.
She didn’t wait for Tatum’s response, jogging ahead with determined speed.
Tatum followed her for a while but decided to call it a morning after just one more lap. He needed to return, shower, and prepare breakfast for
Elora and her younger brother, Alonzo. About twenty minutes later, Elora returned to the main house. She walked through the kitchen and noticed Tatum busy preparing breakfast. After observing him for a brief moment from the doorway, she quietly turned and went upstairs. The house remained silent; her parents were likely still asleep.
Once in her room, Elora changed into fresh clothes, tidied herself up, applied some light makeup, and got ready for the day. Before heading downstairs, she stopped by her brother’s room.
Alonzo, still young, wasn’t allowed to lock his door at night. The adults in the family often checked on him in the middle of the night to ensure he hadn’t kicked off his quilt. Even though the house was well-heated, they insisted on keeping him covered for peace of mind. Sometimes, this habit caused Alonzo to wake up drenched in sweat.
“Alonzo, time to get up! You’ll be late for school,” Elora called as she entered the room. The small figure under the blanket stirred but didn’t show himself. Instead, he rolled over and pulled the quilt over his head, stubbornly resisting.
“Come on, Alonzo. It’s the first day back after winter break. You can’t stay home just because you had too much fun during vacation.” Elora sighed as she moved closer to the bed. The school year had started earlier than usual, and most children were still reluctant to leave the comfort of their homes. Parents everywhere were struggling to coax their kids out of bed.
She sat on the edge of the bed and gently tugged at the blanket. “Alonzo, I know you’re awake. Get up, change into your uniform, wash up, and come down for breakfast. Tatum’s already cooking. Don’t you love his food the most?”
A muffled voice came from beneath the covers. “Just ten more minutes, sis. Let me sleep.”
“Just ten more minutes, I promise I’ll get up after that,” Alonzo pleaded.
Elora’s tone softened, yet her determination remained unwavering. “No, just ten more minutes won’t work. We don’t have the luxury of time. Traffic is always a nightmare during rush hour, and being late will ruin your day. Let’s go—get up now.”
Alonzo let out an exaggerated groan, but Elora knew her little brother too well. She smiled and stayed by his side, ready to help him get moving. The morning rush was just starting.