“That’s a lie! You’re just making this up!” Ernest wrapped his hand firmly around her neck, and his eyes flashed with wild anger. “Admit it! You don’t mean a word you’re saying. You’re just lashing out because you’re upset. Say it!”
Elissa managed a weak shake of her head, her brow knit with pain. Even though he wasn’t really choking her, his fury made her body shake. Every bit of tension told her just how close he was to losing control.
Elissa had no illusions. At that moment, she knew he wanted nothing more than to break her spirit.
With a quiet breath, Elissa closed her eyes and lifted her chin, accepting whatever might come next.
“I am upset, yes. But it’s also true that I never loved you the way I loved Robin.” She saw no point in hiding anything now. Every word needed to be said.
It felt easier to die than to keep enduring this kind of humiliation.
Elissa refused to open her eyes. She finally let the truth spill out. “You pushed me into all of this. Every decision was yours, not mine! I never had a say!” With those words, she fell silent.
A heavy stillness filled the room. Even the air seemed to freeze.
Ernest let out a laugh—cold, bitter, and empty.
The next instant, he let go of her. She blinked, pulling in a shaky breath.
Elissa’s gaze met his. His eyes looked as cold as a frozen lake, but there was something unsettled flickering deep inside them. Trying to decipher him felt pointless, so she looked away.
“Elissa.” Ernest called her name, his voice clipped and hard.
Elissa tensed, bracing for whatever might come next. Her heart hammered in her chest.
Though his eyes narrowed, his expression stayed blank. “So this is how you see me… after everything.”
The words seemed dragged out of him, thick with anger and disbelief. But then, without warning, he broke off.
Ernest shot to his feet and bolted from the room. He moved so quickly, Elissa barely processed what had happened. He was simply gone.
Standing by the doorway, Hadley hesitated, unsure whether to step inside. She jumped a little when Ernest appeared, blurting out, “Ernest…?”
Taking in the pallor of his face, Hadley peered into the room, concern etched in her words. “Is Elissa—”
“You really think I’d hurt her?” A hint of frost crept into Ernest’s eyes as he shot her a tired look, his voice gravelly. “She’s fine. Completely fine, if that’s what you want to hear.”
Without another glance, he walked away.
“Ernest…” Hadley called after him, brow furrowed in worry. She stayed put, letting him go without protest, and then turned and slipped quietly into the guest room.
Anyone could see there had been a fight between them. Her concern for Elissa outweighed any worry she felt for Ernest.
Stepping inside, she found Elissa slouched on the couch. A distant look glazed over Elissa’s eyes. Her face was empty, and quiet tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Elissa?”
.
.
.