Luby 75


    “Alright.”


    Elissa nodded, taking her seat. Only then did she notice the deep red marks she’d pressed into her palm.


    Someone nearby, curiosity getting the better of them, asked, “Elissa, howe we’ve never met your ex–husband?”


    A brief silence followed.


    Elissa lowered her gaze, her voice light and even. “Oh, him? He cheated


    on me.’


    She ignored the sharp, searching look thatnded on her<b>, </b>and added, each word clear and steady, “He cheated a long time ago.”


    Emotionally, at first.


    That’s cheating, too.


    “Wait, what?!”


    The older doctors at the clinic never cared much for these dinners. Every time, it the younger crowd–at that age when injustice feels


    was in


    personal.


    Especially the new nurses, the ones who always envied Marcia’s easy charm. They instantlyunched into a tirade, cursing out the ex–husband they’d never even met, and the woman who’de between them, as if the two were viins from a soap opera.


    The whole scene was peppered with colorfulnguage.


    Marcia, already furious/struggled to keep her temper in check. “Elissa, honestly, you’re only telling your side of the story. Who knows why your husband really cheated-”


    Before Elissa could reply, someone else cut Marcia off, indignant: “Oh, just stop defending people like that. A cheater’s a cheater, no matter what!”


    By the end of dinner, Elissa felt positively refreshed–body and soul.


    Frank, on the other hand, looked as if he were chewing ss. Born with at silver spoon, inheritor of the massive Atwater Group, he’d never been insulted like this before. And yet, he couldn’t say a word in defense.


    She’d warned him: he wouldn’t like it.


    He just hadn’t believed her.


    As the meal wound down, Elissa excused herself to the restroom.


    “Elissa’s so talented–who’d have thought she’d get tripped up by marriage?”


    “Eh, it happens. She’ll find someone better, just wait and see.”


    ‘Better? Can anyone beat Marcia’s catch? She’s with the CEO of Atwater Group, for crying out loud!”


    “You clearly don’t read the business news. The Murphy family’s son–that’s the real powerhouse.”


    “Please, what good is that? People like us could never reach that high…”


    Elissa waited until the voices outside faded before she opened the door.


    The Murphy family’s son-


    Anyone in Vistapeak City would know who that meant.


    She hadn’t expected, though, that after washing her hands and stepping out, she’de face to face with him.


    He was leaning against the wall right beside thedies‘ room–ck silk shirt, cigarette smoldering between <b>his </b>fingers, watching her with azy, half–lidded gaze.


    “Elissa, what, did you spend thest few years training to be a ninja behind my back?”


    He never had anything nice to say. Elissa knew that by now.


    She also guessed why he was here–he must have seen Frank and Marcia


    together again.


    Drying her hands, she didn’t bother meeting his eyes. “Whatever I trained for, Rowan, it’s none of your business.”


    She tossed the paper towel in the trash and started to walk past him.


    His voice was cool, almost amused. “Is my reputation none of my business, either?”


    They’d fallen out a long time ago–but most people didn’t know that. Like Frank, everyone just assumed they were having a sibling spat. Sooner orter, the misunderstanding would clear up, and Elissa would go back to being the precious little sister Rowan always protected.


    Elissa understood the dance well enough. “You could just tell everyone we haven’t been on speaking terms for years.”


    So simple. So final.


    But Rowan didn’t even pause. “Too much trouble.”


    Elissa turned, meeting his eyes. “So what exactly do you want from me?”


    He didn’t hesitate. “Divorce him.”