Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Tanya Foster shot to her feet so suddenly that Elissa had to grab her arm to hold her back. “Don’t go over there p>
“Do you think I’m an idiot p>
Ignoring her, Tanya snapped a few pictures, then tugged Elissa up with her. “I know your have your own plans, but this place is filthy. Let’s move somewhere cleaner p>
Elissa was the classic lightweight who couldn’t resist a drink.
After two rounds of cocktails, she didn’t wake up until the afternoon the next day. Her head throbbed and her eyes were puffy, making it hard to focus.
So when she saw that massive deposit in her online banking app, she honestly thought she was seeing things.
Six hundred thousand.
Elissa rubbed her eyes, and when she confirmed the transfer came from Marcia, the memories of last night slowly resurfaced.
She’d really sent it.
Clearly, Marcia was genuinely intimidated by Old Mrs. Atwater.
But considering how close Marcia and Frank had been last night, Elissa was almost certain the money had actually come from Frank.
Marital assets.
Which meant half of it was rightfully hers.
Feeling no guilt whatsoever, Elissa grabbed her phone and headed downstairs, making herself a glass of honey water.
When Edna saw how pale she looked, she came over, concerned. “Mrs. Atwater, do you want something to eat? I just made some herbal soup, and there’s some bird’s nest as well. Or I could make you some chicken noodle soup to settle your stomach p>
Year round, through every season, Elissa always prepared different herbal recipes for Edna to cook, tailored to her and Frank’s health needs.
Elissa’s stomach was still churning, and she had no appetite. “Bird’s nest, please p>
She glanced around the house, her tone casual. “Frank and Marcia didn’t come home last night p>
“It seems not,” Edna replied, not thinking too much of it as she headed to the kitchen to
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prepare the bird’s nest.
Knowing Elissa liked her sweets, Edna added a little extra rock sugar.
Just then, Hickey came barreling out of the living room, hands on his hips, making faces. at Elissa. “Uncle Frank and my mom were together last night! You’re not going to be my aunt for much longer. You’re a terrible person–you don’t deserve Uncle Frank p>
He ended by jabbing a chubby finger at her, glaring.
“Mhm.” Elissa nodded thoughtfully, gently brushing his little hand aside. “But do you know what that makes you, after your mom marries Uncle Frank p>
“What p>
“Dead weight p>
She bent down and stroked his cheek affectionately, her voice soft and sweet. “Let me explain, sweetheart. It means you’ll be a burden. Pretty soon, your mom and Uncle Frank will have a new little brother or sister for you, and then nobody will like you anymore p>
“Excited? My little burden p>
“Waaah p>
Hickey burst into loud, dramatic sobs. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he grabbed his tablet and tried to video call Marcia.
No answer.
He glared at Elissa, furious, and hit the call button again, still crying. “Waaah! It’s not true! They won’t have another kid p>
Like he was desperate to prove her wrong.
He tried several more times, but still no answer.
Elissa smiled. “ See? What did I say? They don’t love you anymore p>
And honestly, she wasn’t even lying to the poor kid. With the way things went down last night, there was a good chance Marcia was already pregnant with his new sibling.
“No! Waaah p>
Hickey wiped away his tears with a stubborn little arm, but the wailing didn’t stop.
Elissa carried her honey water to the dining room and sat down.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Tanya Foster–a forwarded entertainment news
story.
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Edna came out of the kitchen just then, bird’s nest in hand, startled by Hickey’s sobs. “What’s gotten into the little rascal? He’s crying like the world’s ending p>
Elissa turned her phone toward Edna. “Maybe he just saw the news and found out his mom’s now the other woman. It’s pretty rough p>
Edna caught a glimpse of the headline and photo, and her jaw dropped.
-President Atwater: Late–Night Kiss With Mystery Woman at Downtown Bar!