Elizabeth forced a confident smirk, her tone sharp. “You’re not as skilled as you think. I wasn’t feeling well.”
Elijah let out a dry laugh, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Your actions last night said otherwise.”
Refusing to back down, Elizabeth shot back, “That was just the drug talking.”
Elijah’s smirk faltered. His expression turned cold as his mind sifted through the fragments of the previous night.
With his razor-sharp memory and knack for analysis, he was rarely left questioning details.
Yet in this uncharted territory, his confidence wavered, unsure if her words held any truth.
For the first time, doubt clouded his certainty.
Taking advantage of his hesitation, Elizabeth limped toward the bathroom.
As she closed the door behind her, the memory of last night flickered in her mind, stirring a pang of guilt over their argument.
…
Thirty minutes later, they descended the staircase in strained silence, one following the other.
Shawn sat at the dining table, reading the news, while Melany greeted them with a warm smile. Freddie was conspicuously absent.
Melany’s gaze softened as she gestured toward an empty chair. “Elizabeth, dear, come sit by me.”
With her sharp intuition, Melany didn’t need confirmation to guess what had transpired between them.
A servant appeared with a steaming bowl of soup, and Melany gestured toward Elizabeth. “Put it in front of her. It’s an old family recipe, perfect for restoring strength and vitality.”
Elizabeth blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.
The implication wasn’t lost on Elizabeth. Melany was already anticipating a great-grandchild.
Catching Elijah’s self-satisfied smirk, Elizabeth calmly ladled another bowl and slid it toward him. “Darling, you should have some too. Restoring your energy is important.”
Elijah reached for the bowl, but Elizabeth leaned closer, her voice a low murmur. “We can’t depend on shortcuts forever. Proper nourishment is key.”
Not content with denying his abilities, she’d now gone for his pride.
“Thank you, love,” Elijah said, his smile tight and strained.
Acclaimed for excelling in everything he attempted, Elijah now found himself repeatedly undermined by his wife in the most personal field.
Shawn and Melany exchanged amused glances, mistaking their charged exchange for tender banter.
They ate in silence, each lost in their own thought.
As the meal wound down, Melany turned to them with a hopeful smile. “Why don’t you stay another night?”
Elizabeth shook her head gently. “I’d love to, Melany, but I have work waiting for me.”
Elijah dabbed at his mouth with his napkin, his tone casual but firm. “I’ve got work to attend to as well. The project planning is under my direct oversight, and I need to brief my team.”
Elizabeth’s relentless undermining left Elijah craving a moment of peace.
Melany hesitated, her voice tinged with longing. “Do visit more often, won’t you? It’s just Shawn and me here—it gets awfully quiet.”
Elizabeth hesitated, then nodded with a small, polite smile. “Of course, Melany.”
Melany motioned for a servant to bring over a bag of health supplements. “I know you’re busy, but take care of yourself. The help over there might not manage things properly. These are homemade—just keep them refrigerated. Let me know when Befe is finished, and I’ll send another batch.”
“Thank you, Melany,” Elizabeth said, reaching out. But Melany sidestepped her gesture and handed the bag directly to Elijah. “You’re driving Elizabeth to work, aren’t you?”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, but Elijah had already taken the bag, the expression firm. “Do you really want to walk in the rain and get sick all over again?”
Pressing her lips together, Elizabeth swallowed her retort.
After exchanging goodbyes with Melany and Shawn, they stepped outside and made their way to the car.
Elizabeth reached for the backseat door handle, but Elijah’s sharp gaze stopped her. “Do you seriously see me as your driver?”
