Chapter 45

Tarquin sat rigidly beside Elijah’s hospital bed, his fingers tightly Interlacing the small, fragile hand of his son.

Benjamin, trying to offer some solace, said, “Don’t worry too much; he’s stable for now, at least.”

Tarquin’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his gaze scanning the room for another presence. “Where’s she?

Elysia?”

“She had to leave. Some urgent matter,” Benjamin replied.

“Leave? Just like that?” Tarquin’s eyes flashed with disbelief.

“Yeah, said it was something she had to take care of.*

Tarquin’s brow furrowed, a storm brewing in his thoughts..

“She’s her own person, Tarquin. We can’t exactly keep her here against her will. Besides, we need her help. If we imprison her and upset her now, can you honestly trust her with Elijah?” Benjamin reasoned.

A few days ago, Tarquin would have shrugged it off without a second thought. But now, with doubts swirling about Elysia’s role in Elijah’s life and her ability to help him overcome. his traumas, he felt a tangle of emotions.

“I need a breath of air,” he announced abruptly and made his way out of the hospital room. Benjamin watched him go, surprise etched on his face.

Tarquin, who would usually stick to Elijah’s side like glue, was walking away–even if it was just for a cigarette. Something had indeed gotten to him.

Meanwhile, Elysia, after leaving the hospital, flagged down a taxi and sped towards the upscale neighborhood of Royal Community. Once settled in the backseat, she composed herself and texted a prescription to Benjamin.

She tried calling the person but to no avail. Frustrated, she dialed one of Tarquin’s men. “Don’t lie to me. I know he’s in Jindale City!”

The silence on the other end was all the confirmation she needed.

Annoyed, she laid it out, “Tell him I’m on my way to Royal Community. If he doesn’t want me on his back forever, he’ll meet me there to sign the divorce papers. If he’s not there, I’ll start my ‘nuisance campaign‘. And tell him I just want a clean break, nothing more. I won’t take a dime from him, and once it’s done, I’ll vanish from his life for good.”

20:05 She hung up, her brows knitting together. He had lied to her, and that stung more than dared to admit.

Back at the hospital, Tarquin received the news while standing in the smoking area, a storm of irritation brewing within him.

“Who told her I’m still in Jindale City?” he snapped.

Lowell hesitated before relaying Elysia’s message, “She said if you’re not willing to divorce, she’ll start her ‘nuisance campaign‘. She insists on a clean break, no money involved, and promises to disappear from your life once It’s over.”

“Is that a threat?” Tarquin said, his displeasure clear.

Lowell didn’t dare respond. After a pause, he asked, “What’s the plan? If you don’t agree to the divorce, do you think she’ll actually follow through? Or worse, think you still have feelings for her?”

Tarquin’s annoyance peaked. “Tell her I’ll be there.”

When Elysia arrived at the Royal Community, the new servant, unaware of her history, dutifully welcomed her into the estate. The servants from her past, those who had been. bribed by Nola to spread rumors about Elysia’s supposed infidelities, had long since vanished, fearing exposure.

The new servant, unaware of Elysia’s true identity, had only let her in after receiving confirmation. With a polite smile, he offered her coffee, the steam curling into the air between them like a silent truce.