Chapter 122
Ihana’s eyes flickered guiltly. “Of course not. Everything Harper and I talked about was totally pure.”
“Pure, huh.” Theodore replied with a faint smile. “Do you even know what Harper used to do before this?”
She shook her head.
“She started out as an escort,” he said casually. “Ashton kept her for three years before finally making things official.”
Eliana’s round eyes widened. ‘The same Harper who always stands up for me? That’s her background?
She suddenly felt a twinge of sympathy.
“She wouldn’t have been able to hold Ashton’s attention if she didn’t have some serious skills.”
Oddly enough, what Theodore said wasn’t all that different from Harper’s own advice.
“So, did she give you some lessons on how to handle your man?”
Eliana practically jumped out of her seat, ‘How does he know everything?
“You don’t actually need to learn,” Theodore
added.
I after a beat. “It’s not like you’d be any good at it anyway.”
‘Excuse me?‘ she questioned him in her mind.
“You almost passed out from a kiss. What else can I expect from you?” he teased, clearly enjoying her embarrassment.
Eliana’s face turned pink. She muttered under her breath, “Well, I’m not as practiced as you. You’ve probably had a dozen girls to practice with.”
Theodore reached out and cupped the back of her head, his sharp eyes suddenly soft. “From now on, the only person I’ll be practicing with is you.”
Brad stared straight ahead, pretending not to hear a thing.
Time flew by like it always does, and as Christmas approached, Starlight Media finally announced their winter break.
Before the break, Nolan wanted to name Eliana “Employee of the Year,” but she firmly declined. Sure, she had done some good work, but she’d also
made mistakes. It all balanced out. There was no need for a reward.
What she didn’t know was that Nolan still carried guilt. He’d once protected Hannah, which ultimately left Eliana in the dark about who had really set her and Raphael up.
Since she wouldn’t accept the honorary title, Nolan handed her an envelope stuffed with cash instead. When she tried to turn it down, he said, “Just take it. You deserve this.”
She had no choice but to accept. Then she quietly asked, “Mr. Hall, did you and Hannah ever make up?”
Nolan simply replied, “This isn’t something you want to get involved in.”
“Okay… so, will you still be spending Christmas at Burke Manor this year?”
He shook his head, looking more worn out than usual.
Seeing that, Eliana realized that things between Nolan and Hannah were truly over. It was a shame, really. He’d made such a great brother–in–law. But at
least now he was free.
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Chapter 122
Before she knew it, Christmas Eve had arrived.
Knowing the holidays officially started tomorrow, Eliana pulled out the cash Nolan gave her and headed to the mall to buy gifts.
She picked out presents for Bemice and all the counselors and children at the therapy center. Then suddenly, she thought of Theodore. She’d gotten gifts for everyone close to her. Wouldn’t it be strange to skip him?
So she walked over to the men’s section. But everything she saw was something he already had.
Her indecisive, slightly clueless look caught the attention of a sales associate. “Is there anything I can help you with, miss?”
“I’m looking for a gift for my husband,” Eliana said. After a pause, she added quietly, “Nothing too expensive. It’s really just a gesture.”
The associate smiled. “You could go with a wallet or maybe a tie.”
Eliana thought it over and then decided, “Wallet. He can carry that every day.”
Later that evening, just as she was hiding the wallet behind her back, about to surprise Theodore with it, he said, “Pack your bags. We’re leaving early
tomorrow for Amberhold.”
She blinked, forgetting all about the wallet. “Amberhold?”
“You forgot?” Theodore reminded her calmly. “You promised me you’d spend the Christmas holiday there with my grandfather.”
The memory clicked into place. But she’d assumed he meant sometime during the break, not the very first day.
She hesitated. “It’s just… for the past few years, I’ve always spent Christmas Day at the therapy center. I was actually going to ask if you’d come with me this year.”
“That’s not happening,” Theodore said firmly. “I haven’t been home for Christmas in two years. I can’t miss another one.”
Daniel meant more to Theodore than his own father. Without Daniel, Theodore wouldn’t be who he was today.
“But…”
“No buts. You’re a Russell now.”
Eliana stayed quiet. She understood. They both had their own pasts and things they couldn’t let go of. Just as she was about to step back and compromise, her phone rang in her pocket.
She answered it. A warm voice came through, “Eliana, what time will you be coming by tomorrow?”
It was a counselor from the therapy center.
Eliana hesitated. “I… I might not be able to come.”
“Why not?” the counselor asked, surprised.
She glanced at Theodore and said softly, “I’m going with Theodore to Amberhold for Christmas.”
There was a beat of silence. Then the counselor said, “Oh no. Bernie’s going to be so disappointed. She thought you were staying the night and even cleaned up the guest room just for you.”
A pang shot through Eliana’s chest. She almost changed her mind on the spot. But then she reminded herself that she was Mrs. Russell now. So she took a deep breath and forced herself to say, “I’m sorry. I’ll come visit in a few days.”
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Chapter 122
The call ended.
Theodore had listened to the whole thing. Just as he was about to comfort her, she pushed his hand away and walked to the window in dilenc
Ever since she stopped being just Eliana and became “Mrs. Russell,” she hadn’t felt like herself anymore.
Theodore stood behind her, watching her quiet, distant figure. Part of him felt guilty, but there was no way he’d let her value anyone more than she
valued him.
The next morning, Eliana sent Bernice a Christmas message. But even as she was about to board the plane, Bernice still hadn’t replied.
Then came the boarding announcement. “Let’s go,” Theodore said.
Eliana stood there, her head lowered, voice flat. “Let’s wait a little. I’m waiting for Bernie to text me back…”
Theodore paused, then quietly pulled out his phone, and made a call. “Change our flight to Amberhold to tonight.”
He hung up and looked at her, his handsome face showing a rare hint of compromise. “How’s that?”
Eliana blinked, a little confused. “How’s what?”
With a mix of amusement and frustration, Theodore pinched her nose. “It means I’m taking to spend Christmas with your Bernie, obviously.”
Realization hit her all at once. Beaming, she threw herself into his arms. “Theodore, you’re the best!”
And that wasn’t all. Overcome with joy, she went up on tiptoe and planted a kiss right on his cheek.
Theodore’s eyes widened in surprise. If this was the reward for compromising, well, maybe it was worth it after all.
