Chapter 19
Victor said coldly, “You’re nothing but a cheap, disposable tool.”
Serena stared at him, her voice trembling. “So that’s what I am to you? A tool? I must’ve been out of my mind to ever fall for a jerk like you”
Victor opened his mouth to speak again, but Serena didn’t want to hear another word. She cut him off and snapped, “Get out. I don’t want to see either of you ever again.”
“Serena, apologize to Ellie,” Victor ordered.
“If you don’t leave now, I’m calling the cops. Or do you want to get arrested again?” Serena said.
Eliza gently tugged at Victor’s sleeve. “Vic, let it go. Let’s just leave.”
Victor looked at Eliza, feeling bad for her, and let her pull him away. He didn’t want to go to the police station again either. If Albert found out, he’d get
another earful.
Then, the door slammed shut behind them with a loud bang. Victor’s face darkened with anger while Eliza stood by his side, trying to calm him down.
Inside the room, Serena slowly crouched down, her back against the door as tears streamed down her cheeks, falling to the floor.
It felt like something had clenched her heart in a brutal grip. She fought to keep the overwhelming rush of emotions from breaking loose.
Victor and Eliza returned to Powell Villa. As soon as they stepped inside, Oliver ran toward them. When he saw Eliza’s swollen cheek, he asked worriedly, “Mommy, what happened to your face?”
Eliza’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s nothing, Oliver. I just tripped and fell.”
Leon, standing nearby, shrieked, “Tripped? You’re lying. That wretch must’ve hit you. She’s always, bullying you, Ellie.”
Victor’s anger flared up again the moment he heard Leon say that. Eliza shot him a quick look, signaling him to stay quiet.
Then she took Oliver’s hand and said softly, “Oliver, I’m tired. I want to go back to my room and rest for a bit. Can you and Leon go play for a while?”
Oliver nodded obediently and ran upstairs with Leon.
Victor looked at the red mark on Eliza’s cheek, guilt flooding his chest. He gently cupped her face and spoke tenderly, “Ellie, I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I never should’ve let you get hurt.”
Eliza shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. “Vic, don’t say that. This isn’t your fault. It’s mine. I never should’ve come back.”
Victor brought over the first aid kit and carefully dabbed ointment on her cheek. Eliza winced from the sting.
His touch grew gentler. At the same time, a wave of disgust for Serena surged in his chest–he wished he could erase her from h
Victor thought, ‘Ellie’s so kind, so gentle. I have to protect her. I won’t let her get hurt ever again.’
ompletely.
The next morning, Eliza gently knocked on Victor’s door. “Vic, wake up. It’s time for breakfast”
Victor slowly opened his eyes, still half–asleep. But the moment he saw Eliza’s soft smile, the haze of sleep lifted. “Morning, Ellie,” he chuckled.
Eliza urged him, “Come on, get up. Oliver and Leon are already hungry.”
as if she could already see
20:33 Tue, 15 Jul
Chapter 19
Downstairs, the boys were already getting restless, chasing each other around the living room and filling the house with laughter.
Soon, the four of them were ready and heading out for breakfast at a new restaurant downtown. Eliza held onto Victor’s arm, herself becoming Mrs. Powell.
Just then, Victor’s phone rang. He answered, “Hey, Dad, what’s going on?”
Albert said, “Victor, come back to Powell Manor with Leon. Now.”
Victor was confused. “What’s the rush? We were just about to go out and have breakfast.”
“Enough talk. Come back immediately.” With that, Albert hung up.
Eliza asked, “Vic, what happened?”
