Chapter 64

Ethan was the opposite of his brother, Liam, Elena noticed. It was barely two weeks after his arrival, and there had been three parties in the house, one of them involving the whole relatives. Even Mr Paul, who Elena thought never laughed, was over himself with smiles and silly remarks at Ethan's jokes and energy. Not once did Mr Griffin grab Ethan's shoulders or swing a drunk arm over his neck, and exclaim, "Now this is what we're talking about!"

The house was always brimming with the sound of Ethan's voice. He made new friends, entertained old ones who came calling. Loud music was never absent in his room. The maidservants were always on the move. Ethan rolled out dollar bills to the guards and maidservants at random, winning their smiles and reverence. Strange girls entered and left the house.

His mother would stand by him during these, grinning warmly. The smile of a proud mother. His father would only smile and pass by to his business.

Liam was always absent in these parties.

El