Chapter 128
Of courts they ‘Il side with her. What kind of sane prison would throw themselves off a cliff schille pregnant? Thana horights
She couldn’t help but admire the cruelty in Alice’s move. Whether she’d saved her or not, she was destined to become the villain in must jeros e o pas
After catching her breath, Alice began to weep again, thoking out, “Eliana, I never thought you’d be so heartless. You were the one who asked me about – my past with Theodore. I told you everything, and you couldn’t handle the jealousy, so you pushed me off the cliffe
That was it. Eliana couldn’t take it anymore. “I did not!” she snapped.
The next moment, someone grabbed her wrist hard. Theodore, who had been silent this whole time, dragged her out of the hospital room, his voice ide cold. “Come with me.”
He was furious. His grip on her wrist was punishing, and Eliana clenched her teeth to keep from crying out.
Once they reached a deserted hallway, he stopped and took hold of her shoulders, locking eyes with her. “If you did it, we’d face it together,” he said, each word deliberate.
If she’d pushed Alice out of jealousy, then that meant he hadn’t made her feel secure enough, and he was willing to take responsibility with her.
But no matter how many ways he asked, Eliana gave only one answer. “I told you, it wasn’t me.”
Theodore finally let her go, his face a cold mask. “You really disappointed me, Eliana.”
Then he turned around and walked off without a second glance.
The corridor wind blew through her hair. Eliana hugged herself, but it didn’t stop the emptiness in her chest.
By noon, Eliana returned to Willowmere Hall. Margaret stood by the foyer, her expression unreadable.
Clearly, she’d heard what happened. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be looking at Eliana that way. She usually greeted her with a smile.
Still, Eliana tried to keep her voice steady. “Grandma.”
“You’re back already?” Margaret asked awkwardly, as if searching for something neutral to
say.
“Yeah.” Eliana had come back alone. Everyone else had stayed at the hospital, standing by Alice, the poor mother who had just lost her baby.
Margaret offered, “Have you eaten? I saved lunch for all of you.”
The kindness in her words made Eliana’s throat tighten. “I didn’t push her,” she choked. “I swear it. Alice jumped. I didn’t do anything.”
“Enough,” Margaret said, her tone distant. “Just eat something.”
Her heart was in turmoil. She had always liked Eliana, but the truth was, they’d only known each other for two days. And it wouldn’t be fair to Anthony or Alice to take sides without knowing the full story.
That realization hit Eliana hard. ‘Even Margaret doesn’t believe me.‘ Without another word, she turned and went to her room.
Watching her retreat, Merlin sighed. “Should I have Elliot talk to her?”
Margaret shook her head. “If she doesn’t want to eat, so be it. Who even has an appetite right now?”
She had been dreaming of that great–grandchild, and now it was gone. The fact that she wasn’t lashing out at Eliana was restraint enough.
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Chapter 128
Lete that evening with the hospital room empty except for the two of them, Anthony lined Alice’s chin and gave her a cracked thita, na * he be vart verificing our child for a win.”
But there was no amusement in Alice’s expression. “The baby’s gone. Are you even sad about that?” she asked quietly.
Anthony chuckled “Grandpa and Theodore already left. No need to keep up the act.”
Alice’s lips twitched into a bitter smile. “I wasn’t acting. If I’d known I was pregnant, I never would’ve jumped.”
She could’ve used the child as leverage. Even if Anthony didn’t love her, Daniel would’ve pushed him to marry her for the sake of the Russell half,
So no, her grief hadn’t been fake.
Seeing her dazed and disheartened, Anthony’s gaze shifted. “Well, the baby wasn’t exactly planned,” he said slowly, “but it did its part. And I’ll always remember the good things it brought us.”
As the car pulled into the long drive of Willowmere Hall, Daniel spoke firmly, “Theodore, we still need to investigate what really happened. Don’t push Eliana away just yet.”
Theodore didn’t reply. Not even a token response.
Daniel’s grip tightened on his cane. “Did you hear me?”
“That’s between her and me, Grandpa. Please stay out of it,” Theodore said, stepping out of the car, his tone cold enough to sting.
Fearing what he might do, Daniel quickly followed him inside, only to hear Margaret say, “Eliana’s gone.”
Theodore froze. “Where?”
Hearing the edge in his voice, Margaret sighed. “Covenhill. I tried to stop her, but she insisted.”
A spark of fury flared in Theodore’s chest. ‘After everything, she just walks away?‘
Without missing a beat, he pulled out his phone. “Book me a flight to Covenhill. Now.”
Meanwhile, Eliana was already wheeling her suitcase out of the airport in Covenhill.
She knew there was no place left for her in Amberhold.
‘So where do I go now?‘ she asked herself.
If Lainey saw her come home like this, alone, she’d definitely seize the chance to mock her.
‘Why did I let myself fall this far?‘ she whispered under her breath.
She wiped at her damp eyes and then took out her phone to call a cab. That was when she noticed a missed call.
She’d put her phone on silent before the flight/so she hadn’t heard it ring.
After a moment to compose herself, she hit redial. A familiar, husky voice picked up. “Eliana, got a minute? Want to grab a drink?”
It was Harper.
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Chapter 128
enumbered how at Theddores polvate party, Hamper had stopped in for her, blocking drinks, and ferénding har fans Herinat dan Nad sonly, Tú like that.
At The boy Dusk, Eliana pushed her way through the crush of bodies and pulsing music, finally spotting Harper slouched at the bar, who put ahead tipsy, her eyes glassy with that half gone look.
After shooing away a sleazy guy trying to get too close to Harper, Eliana took a seat beside her and asked, “Why didn’t you pick The Gilded Ford “”
Harper’s boyfriend, Ashton, owned that place. Even if she passed out drunk there, no one would dare touch her.
Harper swirled her drink lazily. “I had a fight with him.”
Eliana blinked. “You two fought too?”
Harper perked up. “What do you mean, ‘too‘? Did you and your
man have
a
blowup too?”