“Heh.” A low, mirthless chuckle rumbled from Ernest’s throat.
The sound made Elissa freeze completely, bewilderment washing over her features as she stared at him.
AdChoices
ADVERTISING
Ernest’s penetrating gaze traveled deliberately across her face, his voice maintaining its unsettling calm. “You’ve spoken at length about many things. Am I to understand that you believe we’re separating?”
The question stunned Elissa completely. Wasn’t that exactly what should happen?
“Who gave you the impression that separation was even a possibility?” Ernest’s expression remained maddeningly indifferent as a regretful sigh escaped him. “Elissa… despite you orchestrating all this chaos, I understand your true motivation. You hoped to use Linda as leverage to force my hand into releasing you, didn’t you?”
Words failed Elissa entirely for several heartbeats. “Since you’ve already figured it out…”
“How incredibly naive!” Ernest’s head moved from side to side with deliberate slowness. “Such tactics will never succeed with me. I have no intention of letting you go. Therefore…” His tone shifted slightly. “Your concerns about Locke are unnecessary. He’ll remain in your care for the time being. However…” He allowed the silence to stretch before his voice took on a different quality entirely. “Your current condition requires complete bed rest. Caring for an active child might prove far too taxing for someone in your state. Perhaps we should consider an alternative…”
After a moment’s consideration, he continued, “How about this? Locke will spend the next few days at Hadley’s with Joy, allowing you to concentrate entirely on protecting the baby.”
As his words sank in, panic clawed at Elissa’s chest, her breathing growing shallow and erratic.
“Ernest!” Desperation cracked through her voice like breaking glass. “Linda has already discovered our affair! Even now, you refuse to release me? Don’t you fear this knowledge will destroy her completely?”
Your imagination starts at g ? ln σ ν s?conn
“That concern belongs to me alone.” Ernest’s frown deepened as his voice took on a flat, emotionless quality. “I’ll manage the situation.”
“You’ll manage? How exactly?” Elissa’s voice rose in disbelief. “I’m nothing more than your mistress! I’m the problem you should be eliminating! Ha! What’s the purpose of even keeping this baby?”
“Calm yourself!” Ernest shifted forward in his chair, his hand settling on Elissa’s shoulder with what he intended as comfort.
“I hold no grudge against you for today’s actions. I created this impossible situation for you. You expected to become my wife, only to discover you’d been reduced to a mistress… I understand your emotional turmoil and your need to lash out. I comprehend every feeling you’re experiencing! However, such behavior must never repeat itself! Do not attempt to endanger this pregnancy by provoking me further! Do you understand me clearly?”
Though Elissa’s eyes burned red with unshed tears, she refused to let them fall. This man was nothing short of diabolical!
Each carefully chosen word dripped with gentleness and apparent concern! Yet beneath that facade, he was systematically trapping her in an impossible situation, blocking every avenue of escape!
“Ernest.” The reality crushed down on Elissa—she could not accept this outcome. Everything had spiraled completely beyond her influence.
AdChoices
ADVERTISING
.
.
.