“I’m sorry, okay?!”


    Elissa still felt a little lightheaded, but she yed along with Tanya’s theatrics. “Hm, make me some honey water, and I’ll forgive you.”


    “Coming right up!”


    Tanya Foster, ever the eager sidekick, dropped Elissa’s bag on the entryway table and hustled back with a mug of honey water <b>in </b>no time.


    She beamed hopefully. “So… am I really forgiven?”


    “You’re forgiven,” Elissa said, nodding with a small smile.


    She’d never thought her little secret wouldst long anyway. Sure, being exposed in the car had been embarrassing, but now that she was upstairs, she felt strangely relieved, as if a weight had been lifted.


    Let Rowanugh if he wanted. Let him act all high and mighty. She was done trying to fight it.


    Seeing Elissa looking mostly normal, Tanya pounced while the mood was right. “So tell me, why was Rowan the one answering your phone earlier?<i>” </i>Elissa didn’t even blink. “Because he doesn’t know the meaning of boundaries, that’s why.”


    It was just like him–always doing whatever he pleased, never one to y by the rules.


    Elissa filled Tanya in on the dinner that night, but Tanya still sensed something off. After a moment, she said, “Cliff could’ve driven you home, but Mr. Murphy insisted on doing it himself.”


    “You think… maybe he’s trying to make amends?”


    Elissa frowned. “Have you ever seen anyone try to make amends like that?”


    “But if he really is, would you ever give him another chance?”


    “Not a chance,” Elissa replied without missing a beat, taking a sip of honey water. “People only get one shot at real trust.”


    Just one–one chance to be believed in, wholeheartedly.


    Getting back together? As far as she was concerned, that was just a fantasy.


    Once trust is shattered, no matter how hard you try to piece it back. together, suspicion and distance always seep in.


    It’s true for every rtionship.


    Even if things look fine on the surface, deep down she’d always be waiting for the next time she’d be abandoned.


    The next day, Elissa went to the clinic as usual.


    With the holidays approaching, the number of patients had started to


    dwindle.


    It was a deep–rooted tradition: nobody wanted to be taking medicine. during the holidays–bad luck, supposedly. Unless it was a matter of life. and death, most people would wait until after the New Year toe back. for a checkup.


    But her office was anything but quiet.


    She’d barely reached the waiting area when she heard two nurses. pleading in soft voices<b>. </b>


    “Sweetie, this is the doctor’s office, you can’t y here.”


    “Come on, let’s go outside–wait, no, don’t touch that!”


    “I want to!” came the triumphant cry of a little brat. “I want to break. this–she bullied my mom, so I’m going to break her stuff!”


    When Elissa appeared, a nurse hurried over, looking apologetic.


    09:50


    “Elissa, Marcia brought her kid today. He’s a handful–we just can’t keep


    him under control.”


    She could have left him at home with the nanny, but no–she had to bring


    him to the clinic.


    Elissa had dealt with Hickey’s antics before. “It’s fine. Not your fault.”


    With that, she strode into her office.


    It wasn’t nearly as chaotic as she’d feared.


    The moment she entered, Hickey flinched, but then straightened his neck and blurted out, “Wicked woman! Why are you always stealing my uncle from my mom?!”


    The room fell dead silent.


    The others nced at Elissa, eyes wide with shock.


    And remembering the other day, when Elissa and Frank had shown up at the private room together…


    Maybe you never really know after all.


    Dr. Drummond–was she the other woman?