Chapter 60
But then Eliana thought, “Even if Theodore happened to be standing by the window this morning, there’s no way he could’ve seen me talking to Anthony, let alone getting in his car”
As her thoughts drifted, she walked over to Theodore and softly called out, “Mr. Russell?”
He didn’t respond. With his eyes closed, he appeared to be asleep. Eliana hesitated for a moment, then gently placed her hand over his and gave it a small shake. “Mr. Russell?”
The next second, he abruptly flung her hand away with force. Ellana blinked, masking her unease with a lighthearted smile. “Still got strength, huh? I thought you passed out from hunger.”
Her words made Theodore snap his eyes open. Rage surged through them as he roared, “Since you chose to leave with him, why come back now?”
Eliana’s heart skipped a beat. “Who told you that?”
Her response, which sounded suspiciously like an admission, made the veins on Theodore’s forehead bulge. His entire body radiated fury as he retorted, “You had the nerve to do it, but you’re afraid of admitting it?”
Eliana felt a twinge of guilt, but she reminded herself that she’d only gotten in Anthony’s car to discuss engagement details, and nothing else had happened. Even the fruit basket she brought was paid for with her own money.
Eliana spoke up. “Mr. Russell, I can explain.”
“You think I’d believe a fickle and two–faced woman like you?” he spat
Elana’s jaw clenched as she wondered, ‘Fickle? Two–faced? Since when do i have these new traits?!
Though anger flared across her face, she managed to keep her voice even. “I married you, didn’t I? As long as we’re still married, I wouldn’t do anything to betray you. Maybe you should watch your mouth.”
A flush of red crept into the corners of Theodore’s eyes. His jaw was clenched so tightly that it made a grinding sound. “Oh, you don’t like how I talk? Then go back to Anthony. He’s great at sweet–talking women.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he swiped everything off the table beside him. The loud crash of objects shattering filled the room–his fury boiling over like never before.
‘T–This isn’t normal, Eliana thought. Her eyes scanned the mess on the floor and then returned to his face. Something about his outburst didn’t feel like it was really aimed at her. It was as if he were yelling at someone else through her.
Still uncertain, she took two cautious steps back to put some space between them and then asked, “Did you…mistake me for the first love who betrayed you?
Theodore went rigid all over. Eliana saw his reaction and felt her suspicion solidify into certainty.
Strangely, that realization hurt even more than being yelled at. Because he hadn’t truly been angry with her–he treated her like she was someone else
ow deeply Theodore still felt for his first love. After all, she came here on a mission; her job was simply to take care of
She had never cared much about how
But she had dignity, and over time, she hoped that he would see her for who she really was and treat her with some respect
So now, in a voice that was calm on the surface but quietly resolute, she said, “I’m Elana, hot anyone else.”
Theodore’s breathing turned heavy. Darkness, hunger, and a full day of anxious waiting left his mind in chaos. Even his memories were starting to blur.
Meanwhile, Eliana tried again to explain, “I did take a ride with Anthony, but it was just to go over wedding details. That’s all Nothing else.”
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Chapter 60
Theodore’s brows furrowed deeper, as if something inside him was tearing Alice’s voice–Theodore, I’m with Anthony now–overlapped with Edina a words, echoing in his mind, dragging him into the abyss,
know what it feels like to be betrayed,” Eliana said, thinking of Luke–the man who broke up with her without hesitation for the sake of Hannah. “But you can’t condemn everyone just because of one person. There are still good people in the world.”
Her words tore a small slit through the darkness, allowing a sliver of light to shine in his world.
Theodore instinctively reached out, as if trying to grasp that light, only to catch nothing but air.
He suddenly remembered that he had just pushed her hand away, like tossing aside the light he needed so badly.
“Eliana,” he called out as he stood up abruptly, only to stagger from dizziness.
Eliana’s heart softened at once. She reached out to support him, though the very next second, she regretted it. She wondered, ‘Maybe letting him fall would’ve knocked some sense into him”
But to Theodore, it felt like the light had returned to his hands.
After a brief pause, he turned his hand around and grabbed her wrist tightly. Holding her again doused the firestorm in his chest. A strange unease crept in, and he hated how easily she could sway his emotions.
Eliana winced from the strength of his grip. However, thinking he was still fuming, she said, “I can’t believe that. You’re practically on the verge of passing out, yet you somehow still have enough energy to throw a tantrum. That must mean you really loved her, huh?”
“Not. One. Bit, Theodore bit out, each word laced with venom,
“Relax, I’m not laughing at you,” Eliana said calmly. “We’ve both been through something similar. The difference is, I’ve moved on. I hope you can too. Life’s a lot easier that way.”
Similar pain?‘ Theodore thought, recalling her ex–boyfriend. His grip on her hand tightened.
Eliana squirmed from discomfort, but his grip wouldn’t budge. She protested, “Let go of me.”
“Why should I?” Theodore growled, yanking her into his arms. His voice was low, filled with restrained frustration. “You still haven’t told me why it took you so long to come back.”
“Excuse me, I went to my own home. Be grateful I didn’t spend the night,” she shot back.
Thinking of it now, Eliana felt a pang of guilt toward Isaac, She was supposed to be home playing Legos with him by now.
Theodore looked doubtful. From what he know, Eliana wasn’t particularly close to her father. He figured that she had probably gone back just to get
money.
The next second, a wave of suspicion crept into his heart like a relentless drizzle. He couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Are you sure Anthony just gave you a ride?”
Eliana froze, immediately sensing the implication in his tone. She glared at him and said, “There you go again. I’m done talking to you.”
“Fine, I won’t ask anymore.” Theodore took a deep breath. He couldn’t risk scaring her away because that would only give Anthony the upper hand. He then asked, “How did everything go today?”
His way of changing the topic was clumsy, but at least he was trying. Eliana replied, “Hall, I guess.”
mean by half?” Theodore asked, cutting straight to the point. “They kept half the money?”
“What do you mean b
Eliana opened her mouth, about to say “yes“, but she thought it had nothing to do with him, Instead, she said, “Barbara said you haven’t eaten the whole day, I’ll cook something for you. Sit down and rest, alright?”
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Chapter 60
Only then did Theodore slowly release her. After a pause, he muttered, “Don’t listen to her nonsense. I’m perfectly fine
Eliana just shrugged, choosing not to expose his stubbornness.
After Eliana had satisfied Theodore’s long–starved stomach with a delicious meal, he suddenly rattled off a string of numbers and then ordered, “Lliana,
that’s my p
my phone number. Save it.”
Eliana blinked in surprise and then took out her phone. “You said that way too fast. Can you repeat it?”
He repeated it, a little slower this time.
Once she saved the number, she looked up and said, “Since you gave me yours, it’s only fair I give you mine too”
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