<b>Chapter 36 </b>


    Elissa stiffened for a split second as she followed behind the group.


    But by the time Aaron nced back at her, concern flickering in his eyes, she had alreadyposed herself.


    Aaron held the door for the others, then stopped Elissa with a gentle hand. “If this feels awkward, I’ll ask him to leave. He doesn’t have <i>to </i>stay for dinner.”


    “I’m fine, Professor,” she replied quietly.


    The truth was, ever since running into him in Germany, Elissa had braced herself for moments like this. If fate could bring them together in a foreign country, then seeing him again now was hardly surprising.


    He was powerful these days, cold as ever–distant enough that he’d never trouble himself to spare her feelings, certainly not for the sake of her old


    mentor.


    Aaron studied her calm expression, then gave her shoulder an encouraging pat. “It’s good you’re able to let this go. After all, you’re family. Maybe he has his own reasons for everything…”


    “Professor,” Elissa interrupted softly, eyes lowered. “Let’s go inside.”


    Over the years, Aaron was far from the first to try andfort her with


    words like these.


    His own reasons… If he truly had some hidden pain, why hadn’t he ever told her? Why had he simply cut her off, cast her aside like she was nothing?


    In the end, Matriarch Paige Murphy had summed it up best: men like him, golden boys with the world at their feet, treat people the way one might keep a pet–fun for a while, but once the novelty wears off, they toss it aside without a second thought. Perfectly normal, really.


    Aaron understood there were things she didn’t want to talk about, so he just nodded. “Alright. Let’s go in.”


    <b>1/2 </b>


    <b>12.11 </b>


    Before Elissa entered, the mood inside was light.


    Cliff had met Rowan once before at the research institute, and with Jacqueline’s introductions, they’d slipped easily into conversation.


    “Elissa!” Cliff waved her over as she stepped inside. “This is Mr. Murphy from Murphy Group–we met him in Germany the other day, remember?”


    The man stood tall andposed, dark eyes giving nothing away. The orange–gold rays of the setting sun streamed through the ss behind him, softening the innate severity of his presence, but doing nothing to diminish his air of aloof nobility.


    Elissa ran her fingers lightly along her palm and greeted him in an even tone. “Good evening, Mr. Murphy.”


    Cliff turned to Rowan, clearly proud as always when introducing Elissa. “This is Elissa–she was a year below me in college, but she’s brilliant.”


    Almost as if worried Rowan might underestimate her, Cliff added with a smile, “Honestly, I think of her as my own little sister.”


    Given Cliff was heir to Riley Pharmaceuticals, that was no small endorsement–he was, in effect, staking his reputation on her.


    Rowan arched a brow, a faintly amused smile ying on his lips as he echoed, “Good evening, little sister.”


    To Elissa, the words sounded more like mockery than greeting. Her voice turned frosty, drawing a firm line. “Please, Mr. Murphy, don’t joke.”


    She was usually gentle by nature, rarely so cold, and Cliff immediately sensed the tension between the two. He was about to smooth things


    over when Aaron cut in.


    “Alright, everyone, dinner’s ready! Come taste Jacqueline’s cooking.”


    He shot Rowan a pointed look. “You know, it’s been years since you’ve graced our table, young man.”


    The reproach was obvious. At Rowan’s level, people either ttered or feared him; no one dared speak to him like that anymore.


    12.11 R


    Cliff held his breath, but Rowan only let out a quietugh. “I was worried if I showed up, you’d throw me out again.”


    Aaron snorted. “So you do remember.”


    “All right, all right, let’s eat,” Jacqueline interjected, rescuing the mood as she set dishes on the long dining table.


    Elissa slipped into the kitchen to fetch bowls and silverware, setting them out carefully, then poured wine into each ss in turn.


    Aaron liked to enjoy a ss or two with dinner now and then.


    Elissa took her seat beside Jacqueline, and—perhaps by chance, perhaps


    not–Rowan sat directly across from her.


    Aaron and Jacqueline had never approved of Elissa’s marriage. She was like one of their own, and to see her mistreated by Frank had been painful. So when they heard about the divorce, they’d insisted on marking the asion with a small celebration.


    Jacqueline caught Elissa’s eye, raising her ss with a gentle smile. “Your professor tells me you’re getting divorced. I think you’re making the right choice, Elissa. I truly believe you’ll find someone worthy of you.”