Chapter 82
Huddled on the living room sofa with Jayden and Barbara, Lainey shook like a leaf. Barbara shot her a disapproving frown. You should’ve thought of that sooner,‘ she silently chided.
Unfazed as ever, Jayden piped up, “Mom, why are you drenched in sweat?” It was the middle of winter, after all.
“Mind your own business!” Lainey snapped, something she rarely did to him.
Theodore had always dismissed Jayden as too young to bother with, but Lainey? She was fair game. She’d practically developed PTSD from his
treatment.
Just then, Anthony, her reliable eldest son, walked in. Lainey sat up straight, forcing some cheer into her voice. “How’s Alice? Is she okay?”
It was a crucial question. Controlling Alice meant controlling Theodore’s Achilles‘ heel.
“She’ll be out of the hospital in two days, good as new. She’ll come and stay here for recovery,” Anthony said briskly before asking, “Where’s Theodore?”
Lainey glanced upstairs and lowered her voice instinctively. “Up there. Merlin came back with him.”
“Did Merlin say anything?”
Lainey’s face paled. “He’s gonna tell Daniel everything. Anthony, if Daniel finds out Theodore’s eyes are healed, won’t that screw up your job at Russell Group?” Panic laced her words–she’d fight tooth and nail to protect her son’s position.
Anthony leaned back, calm as ever. “I’ve put in my dues these two years. I’ve got the execs on my side. In the current situation, even Grandpa can’t bring me down without a fight. No way he can justify it.”
“But…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Anthony raised his hand and cut her off. “Theodore’s fixed his eyes, but his problems are just starting.”
Lainey caught on quickly. “You mean Alice and Eliana?”
“Exactly.”
“Face it–Theodore couldn’t care less about Eliana. Why else would he ditch her to grab Alice?” Lainey scoffed. “Anthony, your plan to play them against him? It’s dead in the water.”
Anthony just shrugged. “Give it time. Five years together isn’t easy to shake off. His reaction could’ve been pure muscle memory.”
Lainey’s eyes softened. “You didn’t deserve that humiliation today.” She knew firsthand how brutal public embarrassment felt. Being left at the engagement party by your own fiancée? Unbearable.
He waved her concern away. “Compared to what I’ve been through before? This is nothing.” His mind flashed back to childhood–kids chanting “bastard” in the schoolyard while he plastered on a smile. “Long as I get what I want in the end, the rest doesn’t matter.”
Besides, today was a win. That scene planted doubt in Eliana. He could almost taste her inevitable betrayal. Heartbreak made people c desperate people made mistakes.
“At least Merlin promised to bury the engagement fiasco,” Lainey said with relief.
Anthony’s expression darkened. “Why would we do that?”
She stared at him, bewildered. “It’s a family disgrace. Do you want the whole world gossiping about our family?”
ite, and
“He stole my future wife. I’m the victim here.” His thinking was incredibly unconventional. A cold smile spread across his face. “If he wants to sweep this under the rug, I’ll drag it out into the spotlight.”
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Chapter 82
On the second floor, Eliana thrashed on the bed, shoving against Theodore, who testered on the edge of losing it. “Don’t touch me with the hands. You used them to hold another woman!” she shrieked, panic and rage twisting her voice,
Theodore’s eyes blazed, his grip tightening. With a harsh rip, the sleeve of her right arm tore open, revealing the white bandage beneath..
His movements stilled. Anthony’s words echoed in his head. “Theodore, did you even check if she
got hurt too?”
Seizing the moment, Eliana wriggled free and rolled to the far side of the bed. Swiping at her tear–stained cheeks with her good hand, she sobbed, “How much more are you going to torture me?”
The glistening tears in her eyes doused his fury like cold water. He lifted his hand tentatively, his voice soft as if soothing a skittish animal. “Come here. Let me see your wound.”
Eliana flinched back. “I’d rather not.” She bolted from the bed, barefoot, and fled the room.
Long after she’d gone, Theodore stared at the torn strip of sleeve in his grasp, his fingers clenching until his knuckles turned white.
Eliana dashed into the courtyard, the biting wind and snow stinging her face. She inhaled sharply, trying to steady herself, whan a faint whiff of lilies caught her nose.
Her gaze drifted to the lily garden. Against all odds, the blooms flourished in the winter chill. Alice’s favorite flower. The realization hit like a punch, rooting her to the spot.
“Hey!” A brash, youthful voice cut through the silence. A pair of shoes landed at her feet. “Put these on.”
Eliana looked up to find Jayden. He’d watched her bolt through the living room and out the door, looking half–crazed and completely broken. Unable to resist, he’d trailed after her.
In Jayden’s world, shared suffering at Theodore’s hands forged instant bonds. If you’d been through the wringer with him, you were his good friend.
“I bet you’re kicking yourself now. You tried hard to protect him, but he couldn’t care less about you.” Jayden lectured her like a know–it–all kid, his tone as irritating as ever.
Eliana just stared at the ground and asked an irrelevant question. “You didn’t plant any tacks in these shoes, did you?”
Jayden’s face turned beet red. “Fine, be ungrateful! I’m feeling generous for once, and this is what I get?”
She slipped on the shoes without a hint of emotion. “Thanks. You can go now.”
“Seriously?” He wasn’t her doormat. “This courtyard isn’t your personal property. I can enjoy the snow if I want.”
“Suit yourself.” With that, Eliana shut him out.
Jayden planted his feet, arms crossed, determined to outlast her in the cold.
Minutes ticked by. “Ah–Choo!” Rubbing his runny nose, Jayden silently begged for an escape route.
Saved by the bell–a servant appeared. “Dinner is served, Mrs. Eliana Russell, Mr. Jayden Russell.”
Jayden shot her a smug look. “Come on, don’t turn into a popsicle out here.” His voice trailed off.
Snow dusted Eliana’s lashes, making her eyes sparkle. She looked almost magical.
“Go ahead without me,” she said softly.
14:41 Fri, 13 Jun GMW
Chapter 82
Puffing out his cheeks in frustration, Jayden was at a loss. Then Anthony’s voice cut through the cold. “Eliana, we’re both losers today. For my sake, come inside?” He held out his hand, smiling warmly.
Eliana hesitated, then slowly took a step forward.
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