Her question sounded sincere, but she knew Frank too well.


    Frank would agree, of course–he always did. He had a habit of tossing out questions just for show, never really caring about the answer. His concern was no deeper than the casual small talk with a neighbor during an after–dinner stroll: “Have you eaten yet?” Did it matter what the neighbor said? Not in the slightest.


    Sometimes Elissa wondered if this was how their marriage had managed tost three years. Frank’s attention was always there in the gestures, never in the actions. When she had cramps, he’d say, “Make sure to have some herbal tea.” If she came home drenched from the rain, he’d tell her, “Go take a hot shower.” When she tripped and fell, he’d remind her, “Watch your step next time.”


    But he never actually made her tea, never brought her an umbre, never asked if she needed a ride to the hospital. All his tenderness and care were just words–never deeds.


    As expected, Frank agreed and added, “Don’t stay out toote.”


    Elissa nodded obediently. “Okay.”


    Whether she came home early or not, he never really gave it a second thought.


    At the door, Frank and Marcia paused. Suddenly, Marcia pped her forehead, “Frank, go on in without me–I think I left my phone in the car. I’ll go grab it.”


    “Alright,” Frank replied, frowning a little.


    Elissa would never be so scatterbrained. She was young, but always organized–more mature than her peers, really. She never gave him any


    trouble.


    As Elissa stepped outside the gate, her phone rang. It was Tanya Foster, calling to say she was on her way to pick her up. Elissa had barely ended


    12.13 #


    the call when someone called her name.


    Marcia approached with a bright smile. “Elissa, do you know why Frank’s here today?”


    “No idea.” And honestly, she didn’t care.


    “I’m about to be Mr. ine’s student,” Marcia announced, her tone


    triumphant.


    She could never stand how calm Elissa always seemed–<i>so </i><iposed</i>, so unbothered. “You’re just one of the many students Mr. ine taught at Vistapeak University. I, on the other hand, will be his personal apprentice.”


    Elissa met her gaze. “You know Mr. ine has only ever taken on one private student outside his time at Vistapeak, right?”


    “Of course I know!” Marcia scoffed. Who didn’t?


    Aaron ine had a single protégé–someone to whom he had passed on everything he knew, a student of rare talent and extraordinary skill. But no one knew who it was.


    Elissa smiled faintly. “So what makes you think he’ll choose you?”


    Marcia’s confidence was unwavering. “Because I’m more capable than you, and because Frank will make sure I get my chance.”


    “Just wait and see, Elissa. I’m going to surpass you–step by step.”


    Bing Aaron’s apprentice meant instant fame in their field. With that, Marcia spun around, brimming with confidence, as if victory was already hers.


    “So you want me to take your dear sister–inw as my apprentice?” Aaron lounged on the sofa, sipping the herbal tea Elissa had personally made him before she left. His gaze drifted over the table, where expensive gifts had been carefullyid out. The message was clear: they meant business,


    Frank nodded. “Yes, Mr. ine. I know you’re well into your golden years,


    Chapter


    and I shouldn’t ask this of you, but she’s had a rough time…”


    “No matter how rough she’s had it-” Aaron interrupted smoothly, “-doesn’t she still have you, her scandal–stirring brother–inw<i>, </i>to lean on?”


    The old man was clearly taking Elissa’s side, his tone half–mocking.


    Frank picked up on it, but responded evenly, “As you said, it’s just a rumor. There’s nothing to it.”


    Aaron snorted, amused by Frank’s ability to lie with a straight face. “Rumor or not, I know the truth as well as anyone!”