Chapter 32
Chapter 32
She was just about to open the envelope when Frank’s phone rang.
“Let go of me p>
Marcia’s panicked voice came through, her cries breaking down into sobs. “Frank! Help me p>
Frank’s face turned grim, and without a second’s hesitation, he bolted out the door.
Edna stared after him, confused. “Sir, if you don’t look at it now, I’ll have to send it off straight away p>
“Then send it!” Frank snapped, not even slowing down.
He raced to the hotel, running red lights and barely registering the world outside. When he arrived, he ignored the front desk’s protests and sprinted down the hall. One swift kick, and the door burst open.
There was more than one man in the room.
Thankfully, Marcia’s clothes were still intact. The moment she saw Frank, she collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down her face.
Frank’s expression was terrifying–his eyes bloodshot, barely restrained fury radiating off him in waves.
He grabbed a chair and hurled it at the three men without thinking.
When the chair broke, his fists did the rest.
Every punch landed hard.
Elissa felt a sense of absurdity when she got the call from the police.
Frank, the ever–gentlemanly Frank, had gotten into a fight.
Not just any fight–a three–on–one, and he’d left the other guys thoroughly beaten.
When she arrived at the station, she almost didn’t recognize him through the bruises. “What happened p>
“Elissa, please don’t be mad,” Marcia said, her eyes swollen and red. “It’s all my fault. I had too much to drink. If Frank hadn’t come- ”
Elissa got the picture before Marcia finished. A classic tale: a man fighting for a woman’s honor.
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Chapter 32
Only, the man in question was her husband–in name, at least.
Frank glanced at Elissa, sheepish. “Sorry to trouble you p>
“It’s no trouble,” Elissa replied, brisk as ever, and followed the officer to complete the paperwork.
She paid what needed paying, settled the fines, and apologized to the other men’s families–formality after formality.
The officers were taken aback by how calm she was, especially for a wife.
Elissa noticed and, without hesitation, explained, “We’re getting divorced. We just haven’t signed the papers yet p>
The officer was genuinely impressed. “Not many ex–wives would handle it this well p>
Elissa said nothing.
She thought to herself, It’s fine. I’m being paid.
This was just business–cleaning up someone else’s mess for a fee.
Tanya Foster had driven her here and was waiting outside.
Once it was all squared away, Elissa didn’t bother speaking to Frank again. She simply walked out of the station.
The weather had turned since the morning’s clear skies. Though it was barely past three, the clouds hung low and heavy, and a cold drizzle soaked the streets. The wind, sharp and relentless, seemed to cut straight through her coat. Elissa felt chilled to the bone.
Frank caught up with her before she reached the car. “Don’t let Grandma or the others find out about today p>
“Alright,” Elissa replied, nodding without hesitation. “I know p>
With the Atwater family’s wealth and connections, this sort of incident was nothing–they could make it disappear without a trace.
Frank’s refusal to involve the family was simple: he didn’t want them digging into it, didn’t want anyone tracing things back and coming down hard on those responsible.
He wanted to protect Marcia. Elissa understood that perfectly.
Frank’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, then he managed a small smile. “Are you angry p>
“No,” she answered, calm as ever.
“Really p>
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“Really p>
Frank studied her, searching for any hint of resentment. “Let’s go. I’ll drive you both home p>
Both of you.
He’d promised Marcia would move out.
So much for that.
Elissa was quietly glad she’d never once considered trusting him after learning the truth
about him and Marcia.
For her, trust had always been a luxury she couldn’t afford.
She’d given Frank one chance. There would never be a second.
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