<b>Chapter </b><b>3 </b>


    Elissa fixed her with a frosty stare. “This is my room, you know.”


    “Uncle Frank said this is my home now.” Hickey, emboldened, puffed up his chest and shouted, “Uncle Frank also said he’ll take care of me and Mom, just like a real dad!“-


    Elissa nced at Marcia, noting she had no intention of correcting her son. Suddenly, a cold smile tugged at her lips.


    She crouched down to meet Hickey’s eyes. “Do you know what Santa us will do to you this Christmas?”


    The boy jutted out his chin. “He’ll bring me lots of candy!”


    “No, that’s not right.” Elissa shook her head, her smile chilling. “He’s going to chop off the hands you used to tear up my photo, bake them in the oven, and feed them to the


    Christmas monsters.‘


    11


    Hickey’s mouth fell open.


    He was still just a child. The threat hit its mark; he threw his arms around Marcia and


    burst into tears.


    Marcia’s face hardened. She red at Elissa, her voice low and sharp. “He’s only a child. Was that really necessary?”


    “If <i>you </i>can’t teach <i>your </i>own kid, what else do you know, besides flirting with danger for fun?” Elissa shot back, then turned on her heel and headed for her room.


    ***


    Late that night, a ck Maybach glided into the driveway.


    Elissa stood at her window, watching as Frank stepped out of the car. Instantly, Hickey ran to him, Marcia at his side, clinging <i>to </i>his hand–like they were a picture–perfect family.


    It was a long time before the front door finally opened with a soft click.


    Frank strode into her room, sleeves rolled up, the top button of his shirt undone. His eyes were sharp. “Did you scare Hickey?”


    “Yes,” Elissa replied coolly, nodding at the shredded photograph on her nightstand. “He tore up my family <i>photo</i>.”


    Frank blinked, caught off guard. He realized he hadn’t bothered to get the full story.


    He reached out, intending to ruffle her hair, but she dodged him, her face set. He took the hint, let his voice soften. “That was my mistake. I’ll apologize for Hickey. Is there anything


    13:28


    I can do to make it up to you? Anything at all?”


    Elissa’s lips curled in a faint smile. “Anything?”


    Frank nodded, meaning it. “Of course.”


    She didn’t hesitate. “Then I want these two things.” She handed him a pair of documents. she’d prepared in advance.


    He nced at the first–property papers–and signed his name without hesitation. The second, he flipped straight to the signature line and scrawled his name as well. When it came to money, Frank never quibbled.


    Relieved, he let out a breath and pulled Elissa close, his arm slipping easily around her waist. “Little Elissa, how did your brother raise you to be so sweet and sensible?”


    Elissa stiffened, difort prickling under her skin. She was about to push him away


    when the half–closed door rattled with a knock.


    Frank nced over, immediately letting go and putting distance between them when he saw who it was.


    Elissa froze for a heartbeat, then understood. Of course he’d keep his distance. He’d managed to go three years of marriage without ever sharing a bed with her, all to prove his loyalty to the woman he truly loved. Now that they all lived under one roof, he had to be extra careful.


    Marcia’s voice was weary. “Frankie, Hickey’s fussing. He wants you to tuck him in.”


    “I’ll be right there,” Frank replied, then turned to Elissa. “You’re not mad, are you?”


    “No,” she said, her tone light.


    As soon as he was gone, Elissa pulled out the second document–a divorce agreement.


    She really was sweet and sensible. She’d even prepared her own divorce papers and politely handed them to him herself.