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Clary shrugged. “I’ve known him since we were children, and I kind of feel bad for him.”
Seth arched a brow.
“It isn’t all that great to grow up in an Eolenfeld household.” She sighed softly. “All they care about is money.” She glanced out of the window. “Sometimes I really feel horrible for him, but at times I think he completely deserves every unhappiness.” She made a face. “Then I’ll realize how mean it was to think that way and feel bad about myself.”
Seth laughed. “Want me to handle this?”
“You’re sweet, but no.” She unbuckled the seat belt. “The Eolenfelds are my problem.” She opened the door and stepped out, just as Hugh pounded a fist on the trunk of Seth’s car.
Hugh had dropped the dark blue blazer a few feet away from the car. “You!” He pointed a thick, wobbling finger at her. Then, using the car for support, he made his way over to her.
But Seth stepped in front of her, keeping Hugh away.
And for a moment, Clary couldn’t grasp what was going on.
Because she’d always been the one who stood up for herself. Grandma Moretti loved her, but she had never believed in coddling her. So, if Clary had a problem, she’d have to find a solution herself.
Of course, if she truly needed help, she could always go to Grandma Moretti.
But she never had to, and she appreciated the independence she’d gleaned from it.
She wasn’t quite sure how Grandma Moretti and Mr. E felt, though. Sometimes, she believed they wondered if they’d created a monster. After all, no one else would go against them like her.
Even the Eolenfelds learned never to cross Grandma Moretti, which was why the rumors about Grandma Moretti always remained hushed. It was an open secret, but none of the Eolenfelds would dare bring it up in front of either of them.
“You owe me a car,” Hugh hollered.
Clary glanced over her shoulder at the small door by the side of the huge metal shutter gate. Please don’t let Elton be home, Jesus. Or you can make him deaf temporarily.
“I’m not paying a cent for your car,” Seth said and extended his hand to keep Clary behind him. “Go to your old man and ask if he’ll reimburse you. Make sure you tell him exactly what happened.”
She tipped her torso and frowned at Hugh. “How mu—”
“Stop threatening me with my grandfather!”
Clary leaned back at the sudden loud bellowing. Hugh had been loud, but this was infused with so much … weight.
“Why does everything have to do with him?” Hugh’s blue eyes rolled heavenwards. “Why can’t I have my own life?”
“Then go live it,” Seth snapped. “Get away from my property.”
Hugh laughed hysterically and dropped heavily to the ground. “Go live it,” he said between pants of laughter. “Go …” He dropped onto his back. “Go live it!”
Then, the laughter stopped, and he began sobbing.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Seth said and dropped the protective arm he’d held out in front of Clary.
“Go live your life just the way you want it,” Hugh said between sobs.
Clary sighed heavily. “How much did you drink, Hugh?”
“Why do you care? No one cares about me.” Hugh rolled onto his side and curled up into a ball. “I’m worth nothing now that I’m blacklisted by my grandfather. Nothing.”
She shook her head.
People were always wishing to be an Eolenfeld or to be associated with them one way or another. But Clary had always known the Eolenfeld money was a double-edged sword. The love of money was so powerful that it could overshadow the love parents had for a child.
Truly, it was sad to grow up as an Eolenfeld.
