Sienna stepped forward, not to defend Elias but to end the tantrum and silence it forever. "Your son is not betraying you, he is simply doing the right thing. I know you love Ali and Elias and you have cared for them when I was unable to." She reached out and took Lady Cadelaria's right hand into both of her hands. "I am so grateful to you for everything that you have done. I will never be able to repay that debt.
Now, I hope that you will loosen the strings a little and let me step into my natural role. You have experienced the joys of motherhood, is it fair to deny me the same?"
Lady Cadelaria pulled her hand back. The last question stirred at the strings of her heart. When she looked at her granddaughter, who was already clinging to her mother's legs, she knew some things could not be stopped.
