Frank took the gift box, and for a brief moment, it felt as if something had grazed his heart–so light and quick he could barely name the sensation.
It didn’t hurt, exactly. Still, his breath caught in his chest.
The bow on the box was tied with meticulous care, every loop and tail perfectly in ce.
It was obvious how much thought she’d poured into this gift–how long she must’ve spent preparing it.
And yet, he was nothing but a bastard, harboring selfish feelings he could never admit.
Before he could say anything, Elissa had already slipped into the entryway. She pulled on a pale beige wool coat and wrapped a scarf around her neck, hiding all but her striking, dark eyes behind its folds.
Then, she headed out the door.
Something about the way she walked seemed off.
Frank was just about to call after her when Marcia, beside him, sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth. “God, that hurts!”
He snapped back to the present, turning to help her sit down again. “Your knee acting up? Let me take you to the hospital.”
“I don’t want to go.”
Marcia pressed her lips together, ncing pointedly at the box in his hands. “And you im you’re not falling for her. You’re treating that present like it’s made of gold.”
He fell silent, frowning. “Marcia, I already owe her more than I can ever repay.”
Her eyes widened, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. “And what about me, Frank? What am I to you? Are you just going to let her walk all over me and Hickey?”
“I told you, Elissa isn’t that kind of person.”
“Enough!” Marcia’s voice shook, raw with emotion. “Can’t you hear yourself? Every word out of your mouth is just you defending her!”
With that, Marcia stood, tears streaming, and pulled Hickey upstairs with her.
Frank stood there<i>, </i>stunned, then let out a weary sigh.
He didn’t even know what he was thinking anymore.
He only knew he couldn’t stand to hear a single bad word spoken about her.
13:28
A thin, scattered snow had fallen for two days straight.
That morning, Elissa worked a shift at the Traditional <i>Medicine </i>Center; in the afternoon, a group of foreign doctors–drawn by her reputation–came <i>to </i>learn acupuncture from her mentor. When he was called away unexpectedly, he handed the responsibility over to
Elissa.
She finished work at five, hurried home to change, and took a few minutes to brush on a touch of makeup.
She had a natural beauty–bright eyes, perfect teeth–and even the smallest effort made her impossible to ignore.
As she came downstairs, she noticed the house was unusually quiet. Since she’d returned, the mother and son pair had been uncharacteristically well–behaved.
“Elissa.”
She had just pulled on her knee–high boots when she heard Marcia’s voice behind her, honeyed with a mocking edge. “Tell me, do you think he’ll choose you or me?”
Elissa paused, then smiled. “Sorry, Marcia, I’m not sure I follow.”
“Oh, don’t y coy. Are you hoping for some scandalous love triangle in the Atwater family?”
“Marcia!” The usation was so tant it made Marcia grit her teeth in fury.
Unbothered, Elissa draped her cashmere cape over her shoulders and smiled. “I really <i>don’t </i>have time for this. Frank’s waiting for me.”
Following her gaze through the floor–to–ceiling windows, Marcia saw Frank’s car idling in the driveway.
The sight <i>made </i>her blood boil.
She’d agreed <i>to </i>let Frank marry that wretched woman only because she seemed meek and easy <i>to </i><i>control</i>–now she’d turned into a rabbit with teeth, ready to bite at any
moment.
Elissa slipped into the car and nced at Frank. “I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?”
“No, I just got here.” He squeezed her hand gently, then nced down at her skirt–a sh of smooth, pale skin catching his eye.
He frowned. “Aren’t <i>you </i>cold, wearing so little?”
She just smiled, lips curving with mischief. “We’ll either be in the car or at the old house.
<b>213 </b>
13:28
There’s heating everywhere.”