Episode 142
Elijah’s eyes briefly locked in a frozen gaze, his fingers nervously adjusting the cufflinks at his wrists. “So, what exactly are you trying to imply?” he demanded.
Albin’s tone carried a hint of urgency as he responded, “Elijah, this isn’t about proving something. It’s about understanding what you truly want. Elizabeth is considering divorce because she feels neglected and unloved. If you’re serious about avoiding a divorce, then you need to show her your affection. Love isn’t solely about the gifts you can buy.”
His voice grew tense with anxiety. “Emotions need to be nurtured and shared openly.
You can’t just replace emotional connection with money, can you? Isn’t it necessary to invest your feelings as well?”
Elijah’s expression darkened, his brows furrowing in confusion.
Although he understood each word Albin spoke, when they came together, they baffled him.
The younger Elijah would have dismissed such concerns as trivial. Yet, given Elizabeth’s increasingly drastic responses recently, he found himself pausing to reconsider.
For the first time, Elijah questioned aloud, “What is love, really? It’s something you can’t see or touch. Are mere sweet nothings really more valuable than tangible support?”
As for whether he truly loved Elizabeth, the thought had never occurred to him.
Love, as an idea, was foreign to him from his earliest memories. In the Norris household, matters of the heart were overshadowed by practical concerns of mutual benefit.
The relationships he saw among peers seemed no more than transactions—be it for personal gain, physical desire, or simple companionship.
To Elijah, if this was what defined love, he was better off without it.
His partnership with Elizabeth was serendipitous. She was quirky, dramatically so, reminiscent of a character in a melodrama, yet her presence never crossed into annoyance. At times, he even felt a spark of energy when she was near.
She was a wife he was content to have by his side, and he envisioned continuing their life together without much change. Yet, the idea of Elizabeth leaving him over something as intangible as love deeply unsettled him.
Albin exhaled deeply, the weight of the situation settling upon him. He recognized the futility of changing Elijah’s deeply rooted views with mere words.
Draping an arm around Elijah’s shoulders, he began offering his advice. “Elijah, you’re too entrenched in your own viewpoint to see clearly. Just for once, hear me out. If you’re not ready to accept the divorce, simply humble yourself and express to Elizabeth that she matters to you. There’s a chance for reconciliation. Trust me, I’m not lying to you.”
Elijah’s expression turned stormy, and he remained silent, brushing off Albin’s hand with a swift, dismissive gesture.
Albin suddenly remembered that Elijah disliked physical contact with others, with only three exceptions—Sandra, Elizabeth, and his rarely mentioned sister.
As they conversed, Albin guided Elijah toward the building where Elizabeth resided. “Here we are—this is the place,” he announced.
Elijah surveyed the area with evident distaste. “A building serving both residential and commercial purposes? Residential and commercial in one building? How do people survive in this madness?”
Albin responded promptly, defending the building’s reputation, “Elijah, give this place a chance. It boasts remarkably tight security.”
Elijah’s skepticism was palpable. “Really? And yet they let you through without a fuss?”
“I’m not exactly a nobody,” Albin retorted, brushing off the implication with a slight shift in topic. “Despite its mixed usage, this district commands a high price tag. It’s predominantly populated by ambitious young professionals and affluent individuals. Rumor has it, even celebrities find a home here.”
Elijah dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. “What celebrity would settle for such a place?”
“Keep it down, Elijah,” Albin whispered, leaning in closer. “If Elizabeth overhears you, you’re in for a heated debate.”
As he spoke, Albin’s gaze suddenly shifted over Elijah’s shoulder. “El-Elizabeth, what a coincidence!” he exclaimed.
Turning around, Elijah spotted Elizabeth burdened with several boxes and three oversized plastic bags, each filled to capacity.
