Chapter 81
Chapter 81
Eliana took a deep breath, swallowing the knot of anger rising in her throat. “Everything I wanted to know? I heard it all at Anthony’s engagement party Save your excuses, Mr. Russell.”
The formal title hit Theodore like a slap. She used to purr “Theodore” like it was a
pet
name.
He closed the distance, enveloping her with his tall figure and fixing her with a piercing stare. “You’d rather believe gossip than ask me yourself?”
Eliana tilted her chin up, eyes cold. “I trust my own eyes. You carrying Ms. Powell out–what else is there to say?”
Theodore flinched. His gaze turned conflicted. “She was bleeding. I couldn’t leave her to bleed out like Anthony did.”
“Sure.” Eliana shrugged, like it was yesterday’s news.
That casual dismissal made Theodore’s jaw clench. “You think I’m lying?”
“I don’t know what’s real anymore.” She froze and looked into his intimidating eyes, her voice steady. “Tell me, Mr. Russell, did you enjoy stringing me along?”
His fingers twitched at his sides. He said in a deep voice, “I couldn’t let anyone know my sight was back until it was stable.”
“Yet you risked everything for her.” His explanation only darkened her mood. “Tomorrow’s headlines will be a riot–‘Theodore Russell steals his brother’s fiancée‘. Quite the scandal, don’t you think?”
He said firmly, “Merlin will take care of it. No one will hear a word.”
“Of course.” Eliana’s laugh was brittle. Her pretty face sent a pang through him, though he couldn’t say why. “Well then, you’re free to do as you please. Congratulations, Mr. Russell.”
“Cut it out with that!” Theodore’s hands shot to her shoulders, fingers digging in. The cool, collected gaze she was used to had transformed into a seething glare.
“Then what? Theodore? Or…” She drawled the nickname, “Theo?”
The single syllable sent a shockwave through him. His chest tightened, and he fought the urge to beg her to say it again.
Eliana’s words pulled him back to reality. “Silly me. That name’s reserved for your precious Ms. Powell, isn’t it?”
His hopeful expression vanished, replaced by a thunderous scowl.
“Drop it. Now.” The name “Alice” felt like sandpaper on his tongue. He wanted to claw it out of his memory.
“You told me to ask questions, and now you’re shutting me down?” She snorted. “It must be nice to have someone you’d defend to death.”
After a tense beat, she forced a smile. “Whatever. Let go. I’m starving.”
Instead, his grip turned bruising. “Why didn’t you pick up? Do you realize…” His voice cracked. He thought, ‘I was worried about you.’
“I was in someone’s car.” She shrugged. “Not exactly private.”
“Whose car?” His eyes narrowed, jaw locked. The air crackled with barely leashed anger.
“None of your business.” Eliana wrenched free, fed up with his interrogations. She’d put up with that long enough.
She spun on her heel and headed for the door.
Watching her act like he was invisible–no trace of fear left in her eyes–he gritted his teeth. ‘You’ve got some nerve, he seethed internally.
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Chapter 81
Theodore lunged. His palm slammed against the wood, blocking her escape.
Eliana yanked at the handle, to no avail. She had to whirl to face him.
She stared back wordlessly, her gaze frosty. Gone was the girl who’d rush to soothe him at the slightest scowl.
The realization hit him like a punch. Now that his eyes had healed–and thanks to his lies–those little comforts were about to vanish.
Eliana jabbed a finger into his chest, shoving him back a step. “Since you’re blocking the door, Mr. Russell,” she said, “let’s set some ground rules.
His throat tightened at her touch. Voice rough, he managed, “What rules?”
“First, I’m not taking you downstairs for meals or walks. Fend for yourself. Second, stay out of each other’s business. Third…” She paused. “Separate
bedrooms.”
With every word, Theodore’s frown grew deeper. “Separate bedrooms?” he snapped.
“Your eyes are fine. You don’t need a live–in nurse anymore.” Eliana’s lips pressed into a stubborn line.
He eyed her sharply. “And staying out of each other’s business? Explain.”
“You know exactly what it means.” Her look was pointed. “Most men would celebrate that freedom.”
‘Celebrate? Does she think I’m some playboy? That just any woman can win my attention?‘ he thought.
“Eliana,” he said, voice icy. “Do you understand what that would do to us?”
“Better than pretending,” she shot back.
On her way home, she’d finally admitted the truth. Theodore was getting to her more and more each day. He wasn’t just her work anymore. He’d dealt with Clinton, nursed her when she was sick, and now she was falling for him. And it scared her.
But today, he’d crushed the fragile fantasy she’d begun to build. Sleeping apart was the only way to snuff out these forbidden feelings. Now that his sight was back, no one in the Russell family could push him around. Her protection–barely more than a token gesture—was obsolete.
“Not happening,” Theodore snapped. “None of your rules fly with me.”
“Why not?”
“Take your next breath carefully, or you’ll regret it.” His voice was pure ice, leaving no room for argument.
Before Eliana could protest, he seized her chin and slammed his lips onto hers. She thrashed, but he tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of flour and strode toward the bed.
“What the hell are you doing?” she yelped in shock, kicking wildly.
“Making a baby,” he growled, each word deliberate. “To give my grandpa his wish.”
Eliana stared, horror–struck. This couldn’t be the same man she knew. “I’m Eliana, not Alice!”
Theodore’s palm cracked down on her backside. “One more word about her, and it’ll be worse.”
The sting was mild, but heat flooded her face. “You’re a monster!” she shrieked, humiliation burning in her throat.
1441 Fri 13 Jun GMW
Chapter 82
Chapter 82
