Chapter 81
*Celebratory banquets and dinner party, Letitia, your life sure got better since Vidonia joined the company.â
She was always leaving all alone to endure the endless nights. Oddly enough, solitude now seemed to echo with loneliness for
him.
Letitia was about to reply when something struck her, âI remember Mr. Stewart said you got hurt. Whereâs the wound?â
You actually bought that?â
âAre you guys messing with me? Letitia frowned, âAnd here I was, actually worried about you for a second.â
Eigin stepped closer, cornering her, âHearing I was hurt, and you just worried âfor a secondâ? Donât you have other reactions?â
Letitia began to retreat step by step. I youâ¦. you⦠Eventually, she was backed against the wall.
Elgin raised his hand, resting it near her ear, âWhat if I really was hurt? Would you still be so indifferent?â
His breath fanned her face.
Letitia turned her head away, âElgin, thereâs a line of people caring about you stretching all the way to the suburbs. One more or one less doesnât make a difference.â
âBut youâre my wife!â
âThe one you want to marry is Shela, itâs never been me.â
He pinched her chin, âFor now, at least, itâs you. You should care!â
Letitia just found him inexplicably absurd.
âIf you want care, go find Shela. Sheâs delicate, coquettish, pampering you, always pleasing you isnât she way better than me?â
âYes,â Elgin answered, âLetitia, any woman is better than you! Any woman is more considerate!â
They all just want to cozy up to him, get close to him, win his favor. Only Letitia, never obeyed him!
Letitia looked into his eyes, saying in a calm tone, âI came home late. Are you sure you want to pick a fight over something so trivial?
Living every day under Elginâs scrutiny was exhausting enough for her. And there were always those who wanted to harm her, give her a hard time, add to her troublesâ¦
Whether itâs Phedra or Shela, they were all scheming to do her in!
ââ¦I donât want to argue. Elginâs Adamâs apple bobbed as he swallowed attempting to hold back his turmoil of emotions. Samsonâs test had struck his heart â Letitia truly didnât give a damn⦠much less have any love for him.
The moment he saw she wasnât at the company, he checked the surveillance, searched everywhere, and when he learned Phedra had taken her to the hospital, he rushed there without a second thought, fearing something might happen to her.
And her? She hated him, wished him dead!
âThen get some rest, itâs getting late, Letitia said. Iâm going to take a shower.
She made to leave but Elgin forcefully pulled her back. His eyes darker than the night sky, âLetitia, letâs make a deal.â
ââ¦A deal?â Unease crept in, and she refused, âI donât want to.â
âYouâll make it whether you want to or not!â Elginâs last bit of patience had run out completely
He enunciated each word, his expression resolute and fierce, âWhatever you want, I can give it to you. You want your father freed, itâs doable. You want your mother to have the special medicine, also doable. In short, I can satisfy any of your demands.â
Eigin was acting different tonight. Letitia noticed, but couldnât fathom his thoughts.
He had always loathed the Sanders family, and now he was loosening his grip, offering to release someone!
Letitia wasnât a fool, she immediately asked, âWhat do you want from me in exchange?â
Since itâs a deal, sheâd obviously have to trade something!
What precious thing could she possibly have that would make Elgin offer her father or her mother in return! Letitia had an inkling, but she dared not continue the thought.
All she heard was Elginâs lips parting, âAbort the baby, and Iâll free your father or save your mother. Letitia, a life for a life
Just as she suspected!
The only thing she had that Eigin would make such a tempting offer for was her baby!
âNo, donât..â Letitia shook her head, âSuch a deal is too cruel!â
Elgin asked harshly, âFor you and Waldenâs child, would you abandon your parents?â
âThe child isnât Waldenâs!â
Then whose is it? Whoâs the father!â
Letitia murmured, âI donât know who he is⦠If I did, Iâd have gone to him a long time ago.â
âFine, I believe your Elgin gripped her shoulders, âSo tell me, if you donât even know who the father is, why cling so desperately to the child! Just get rid of it!â
âElgin, itâs a life.â
âYou just want a child, right?â he looked at her. Then abort it, we can have another!â
Letitia froze, wide-eyed. What was he saying? A child with her?
âYou⦠you want to have a child with me?â she asked softly, âElgin, do you even know what youâre saying?â
âI know, Letitia, will you agree or not! Veins throbbed on Elginâs forehead.
He was teetering on the edge of losing control. Because he was becoming increasingly aware that Letitia in his world was not just the enemyâs daughter, nor just a mere pawn.
He wanted her to stay, by his side, for life, no matter what!
âIâm only asking once, and this offer only stands tonight, Elgin looked straight into her eyes, as if peering into her soul, âLetitia, think carefully and make your choice!â
âSo if I abort this child, I can have anything I want from you, right?â
âYes! This chance is only now, donât wait too long!â
Her hesitation, her doubt, would bring him to his senses. Elgin was indulging his feelings, unwilling to be too rational. Perhaps, love itself defied all reason.
He strode to the window, lit up a cigarette, and smoked fiercely, puffing out clouds of smoke.
Letitia stood still, her mind in complete disarray.
Elgin had suddenly laid out these terms⦠what was he really after?
She hadnât expected him to be so bothered by the existence of the child.
âWhen this cigarette itâs done, I want your answer,â Elgin said, âI donât have the patience to wait.â
ââ¦â Letitia attempted to say something more, but Elgin cut her off, âJust tell me, yes or no. Letitia, this choice will affect the rest of your lifeâ
Letitia lowered her gaze, âAre you pushing me again⦠do you want me to jump into the lake once more?â
âLook, itâs a deal. What you lose, I can make it up to you, maybe even more!â
Smoke swirled around.
Elginâs fingertips held a cigarette, its ember flickering, burning down slowly
Finally, Letitia took a deep breath.
âI get it. Me, barely keeping my own head above water, trying to protect a kid too-itâs tough. I was biting off more than I could chew, but thatâs my responsibility as a mother. Elgin⦠I want this kid, I want to bring him into this world.â