He hadn’t expected to hear just those two lines.
“Mr. Atwater, you’re here.”
The female officer nced at him and offered a practiced reassurance. “Honestly, whether this is serious or not, it’s really a family matter. If your can resolve it privately, that would be best.”
Watching her indifferent expression, Frank felt a surge of frustration catch in his chest. “Let the police handle it,” he replied curtly.
Elissa’s longshes trembled, but her delicate features betrayed no
emotion.
It was just as she’d said–she truly didn’t care about him anymore.
Frank frowned, baffled. How had she forgotten even how to show a little weakness<b>? </b>
He even found himself thinking, even if she was the one at fault, if she’d just y along, just for old times‘ sake… he wouldn’t press charges or make things difficult for her.
But Frank’s face hardened. “Even if it was just a moment of recklessness, mistakes have consequences.”
With that, he turned on his heel and strode away.
The officers continued their routine questioning, running through the details of what had happened before finally allowing Elissa to leave.
Stepping out of the precinct into the dead of winter, Elissa was immediately engulfed by the biting cold.
A familiar Maybach idled at the curb by the entrance.
As she walked past, the window lowered, revealing Frank’s wless, now–icy face. He was rarely this cold. “Grandmother’s birthday dinner is tomorrow. I’ll pick you up and we’ll go to the family estate together.”
00-51
Now Elissa understood why he’de at all.
It was for Marcia–again. No matter how badly things had soured between them, for Marcia’s sake, he was willing to seek her out.
He needed to y the loving husband at the Atwater estate, keep up
appearances.
Only this time, Elissa wasn’t willing to y along. “I’m busy tomorrow.”
She had to get the Murphy Group project on track as soon as possible.
Without the Atwater family behind her,pleting this project was the only way to make the Murphy family think twice before pushing her
around.
She refused to return to her old life–trapped, helpless, with no freedom.
Frank’s lips curled in a mocking smile. “Not even going to pretend anymore?”
Elissa opened her mouth to reply, but her phone buzzed with two WhatsApp notifications.
It was Frank’s mother, Carm.
One message read: [The divorce papers are finalized. Remember toe to Grandmother’s birthday dinner tomorrow.]
The other was a photo.
A photo of the divorce certificate.
When Elissa saw her own name on it, a wave of relief washed over her. She couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips, dimples flickering at the corners<b>. </b>Looking back at her soon–to–be ex–husband, her tone. softened considerably.
“I’m free tomorrow, after all.”
Frank was caught off guard. Her smile was so vivid, so alive, that for a moment he lost hisposure. “What did you say?”
09:51
“I said, I can go with you to the birthday dinner tomorrow.”
Her voice was light, almost cheerful.
Frank frowned again. Ever since she’d checked her phone, her mood had shiftedpletely.
It was the kind of smile he’d seen on TV dramas–a woman glowing after a text from someone she liked.
His gaze sharpened. “Who just messaged you?”
“That’s my personal business.”
Of course Elissa wouldn’t confess, not even to this.
Frank’s difort grew. Not even Marcia could affect his emotions this easily or this often.
Maybe it was just that no man could stand being cuckolded by his own
wife.
He narrowed his eyes at her and warned, “Elissa, you can act out all your want. But cheating during our marriage-*that* crosses a line.”
“Okay,” Elissa replied quietly, her tone gentle and agreeable, just like shet used to be. “I understand.”
They weren’t even married anymore.
Seeing her lowered gaze and submissive demeanor, Frank’s anger melted away as quickly as it hade. He spoke more gently, “Get ready for tomorrow. I’ll pick you up and we’ll go to the estate together.”
“All right.”