Chapter 105
Chapter 105
Frank whipped his head toward her, locking eyes with a gaze that refused to waver. “Also? Who else has the nickname ‘little Nine p>
‘Little Nine‘ was about as ordinary a childhood nickname as you could get. It was hardly surprising if someone else shared it.
But the way Frank was staring at Elissa, desperate for an answer, made her instinctively wary.
She lowered her gaze, hiding her emotions. “No, just… it’s a pretty common name, that’s all p>
She’d witnessed firsthand just how fiercely Frank defended Marcia earlier today. If he ever found out Marcia had once bullied her… His first reaction would almost certainly be to stand by Marcia’s side. Marcia might even twist the story to make herself look like the victim. Besides, Elissa wasn’t even sure what really happened yet. All she had was this jade pendant…
Elissa pressed her lips together, her expression innocent as she looked up at Frank. “Frank, this jade pendant’s design is really unique. Could I borrow it for a few days? I want to show it to a friend of mine who designs jewelry, see if she can custom–make one like it p>
Frank hesitated, clearly torn. Maybe it was guilt from the whole Hickey situation, or maybe he’d always felt he owed Elissa something. Whatever the reason, when he met her pleading eyes, he gave in with a reluctant nod. “Alright p>
But then he softened, voice gentle, “This pendant means a lot to Marcia, so I’m trusting you with it. Please take good care of it. Try not to let anything happen to it p>
“I will,” Elissa replied, nodding earnestly.
It was one of the rare moments lately when she was genuinely open with Frank. He seemed momentarily lost, as if he glimpsed the sweet,
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thoughtful girl she’d once been. Reaching out, he gave her hair a gentle, almost affectionate ruffle. “Alright, let’s eat. See if the food’s to your
liking p>
“Okay p>
For the first time in ages, Elissa ate dinner with a sense of contentment. Now that she’d gotten back something so important, even her appetite
had returned.
When they left the restaurant, it was still early. But with winter’s short days settling over Vistapeak City, the streets were already aglow with the first sweep of evening lights.
They walked side by side to the car. Ever the gentleman, Frank opened her door for her. “Come on, it’s not often we get to head home together p>
Elissa slipped her hand into her coat pocket, fingers brushing over the smooth, cool jade pendant. But her mind was occupied with how she could refuse Frank’s offer–gently, but firmly. From the moment she’d moved out of Greenwood Manor, she’d resolved never to spend another night there, not even for appearances‘ sake.
She was still searching for a good excuse when her phone buzzed in her other pocket. Before she even glanced at the screen, she’d already decided: whoever it was, whatever they wanted, she’d use the call to make her escape. Even if it was just a spam call.
“Hello, Tanya p>
Not a scammer–Tanya Foster.
Tanya’s voice was bright, almost conspiratorial. “Are you off work yet? Please tell me you’re not working late. Hurry home–I’ve got a surprise for you p>
“A surprise?” Elissa echoed, puzzled.
Tanya kept her tone teasingly mysterious. “Yep! Just get here in twenty minutes, or you’ll miss it p>
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“Alright, I’m on my way p>
Hanging up, Elissa turned to Frank, relief and purpose mingling in her expression. “Tanya wants me to stop by her place. You go on ahead
without me p>
Frank had overheard enough of the call to recognize Tanya’s voice. But he wasn’t stupid–when Elissa turned away, he swallowed hard and asked quietly, “Elissa, you moved out a while ago, didn’t you p>
Elissa froze.
She hadn’t expected Frank to ask that–not after years of him ignoring everything that had to do with her. She never thought he’d notice anything was different. After all, for most of the past three years, she’d barely seen him at home at all.