<b>Chapter </b>60


    “Not too bad,” Elissa replied.


    Tanya’s grip was much gentler than the Murphy family’s maids had ever


    been.


    After all these years, her skin had grown thick–she could withstand pain


    better than most.


    Still, Tanya looked uneasy. “We should stop by the pharmacyter and grab some ointment. You could’ve dodged that p, you <i>know</i>. Why let her hit you at all—?”


    “It works better if she does.”


    Elissa’s voice was soft, almost light.


    For once, Tanya was at a loss for words.


    She always thought she understood Elissa, but today left her with a strange, unsettled feeling.


    She knew Elissa’s core better than anyone.


    Pure, kind, resilient.


    Elissa was always the bright one, always the optimist, like a little sun shining in her presence.


    When Tanya stayed silent, Elissa fidgeted with her hands. “Do you think I’m too calcting?”


    “Are you stupid or what?”


    Tanya shot her a re, but tears slipped from her eyes anyway. She wiped them away hard, then messed up Elissa’s hair with a rough affection. “I’m upset because I care about you, you idiot!”


    She couldn’t imagine what Elissa had gone through to be so careful about reading people.


    Back then, Elissa always took care of her, knowing Tanya’s home life was


    12:16)


    rough.


    But honestly-


    It was always Elissa who had it the hardest.


    Elissa felt something inside her rx and smiled. “No need to worry about me. It’s all in the past.”


    Things were a thousand times better now.


    “So, what do you want to eat? My treat.”


    “Hmm…” Tanya thought for a moment, then clung to Elissa’s arm. “Let’s go grocery shopping and make hot pot at home, yeah?”


    “Sounds perfect.”


    This winter was colder than ever.


    Perfect hot pot weather.


    As their white Audi pulled out of the parking lot, a sleek ck Bentley glided in through the entrance.


    The two cars nearly brushed past each other.


    “What did you say?” Rowan asked quietly, ncing up from the tablet where he was working.


    Evan checked the rearview mirror and chimed in, n said Miss Elissa already left. That can’t be, Frank’s car is still there. I’m sure she came with Frank today, right?”


    He hesitated. Was it just his imagination, or was Rowan’s gaze suddenly much sharper?


    He hadn’t said anything wrong, had he? Couplesing to events together–wasn’t that normal?


    <b>2/4 </b>


    12.16 #


    But Rowan’s icy stare faded the moment they stepped into the private lounge and spotted Marcia sitting beside Frank.


    There was a strange tension in the air.


    Bradley seemed to be arguing with Frank about something, but when Rowan entered, everyone turned on the charm and pretended nothing was amiss.


    “Rowan!”


    “Hey, Rowan’s here!”


    Rowan swept his gaze around the room, tossed his gift to Bradley, and said, “Happy birthday.”


    Bradley caught it and raised an eyebrow. “Thanks, Rowan.”


    Rowan seemed distracted, his mood indifferent as he found a seat and nced at Frank and Marcia, a sly smile tugging at his lips.


    “No sign of your wife tonight?”


    Ouch.


    He didn’t pull any punches.


    The atmosphere, already strained, grew even more awkward–enough to make your skin crawl.


    Especially for the two who’d been gossiping earlier; they were seriously considering making a run for it.


    Marcia’s mouth twitched.


    What was that supposed to mean?


    If Elissa was “the wife at home,” then what did that make her? The one kept on the side?


    And everyone knows what that means:


    A mistress. The other woman. Someone best kept in the dark.


    214


    But that jab wasn’t aimed at her—it was aimed at Frank.


    Someone like Rowan would never stoop to picking on a woman.


    Frank, however, looked unbothered. “Elissa had something to take care of,


    so she left early.”


    “Oh, so she was here?” Rowan’s voice was casual, almost bored.