Chapter 545
He had been this way when she was young and naive, and he was still exactly the same now.
Because of that, there was a time she genuinely believed he was the best choice she could ever make.
But the disorientation lasted only a second. Elissa snapped back to reality, instinctively cutting him off. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
If it was just about her health, she was a doctor; she knew perfectly well how to take care of herself.
And everyone at Rivercross Residence took immaculate care of her.
As she spoke, she took a half-step back. Her tone and body language radiated clear, unmistakable distance.
Frank’s throat tightened. “The other day at the manor, don’t take what my mother said seriously. I’m not going to marry Marcia. Elissa, right now I just want to…”
Guessing what was about to spill from his lips, Elissa placed a protective hand over her stomach and interrupted him before he could finish. “Frank, I am incredibly happy with my life right now.”
Everything was perfect.
Her baby was growing healthy and strong, her relationship with Rowan was deeply loving, and all the lingering fears of her past were gone.
She refused to let anyone or anything shatter the peace she had finally found.
Frank had never seen such an expression on her face. Soft, serene, and exquisitely beautiful—but it didn’t belong to him.
It belonged to Rowan.
She only ever looked this radiant because of Rowan.
Frank felt as though a serrated blade was being dragged across his heart. It hurt so much that his lips turned pale. “As long as… as long as you’re happy. About the other day, I still want to apologize on behalf of my mother.”
“It’s fine.”
Elissa answered decisively.
She truly meant it. After all, she and Carmela would likely never cross paths again.
Seeing that he had nothing left to say, Elissa gestured toward the living room. “I’m going to head inside.”
The temperature seemed to be dropping again today.
It was getting colder.
And she was missing Rowan more than ever.
Frank watched her take a few brief steps before disappearing around the corner.
The bright sunlight outside stung his eyes, making it hard to keep them open.
Getting into the car, his driver Ridge glanced in the rearview mirror, looking shocked. “Mr. Atwater, why are you crying…”
“Let’s go.”
Frank raised a hand, cutting Ridge off.
Ridge started the engine, asking hesitantly, “Should we still come back in a few days?”
Frank stared at the retreating white sedan in the rearview mirror and gave a slight nod. “Yes.”
Inside, Elissa was just swapping her shoes when Tanya couldn’t help but hurry over, her eyes filled with concern.
Tanya had been terribly anxious about leaving them alone. Even while chatting with Aaron and Jacqueline, she had kept craning her neck to look toward the hallway.
“He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
“No.”
Elissa slipped into her house slippers and walked toward the living room, shaking her head. “He just wanted to apologize for what happened at Atwater Manor the other day.”
Hearing this, Jacqueline frowned. “What did the Atwater family do to you?”
“Nothing.”
Elissa smiled warmly, linking her arm through Jacqueline’s as they sat on the sofa. “Just a minor incident.”
Rowan had immediately stood up for her on the spot, so she truly hadn’t given it a second thought.
She glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Has Frank been visiting you and Mr. Blaine?”
“He’s been here several times.”
Bringing it up gave Jacqueline a
headache. “He’s impossibly
ét
stubborn, He shows up every few days, claiming that he didn’t treat us well enough when you two were maned, and now be wants to ma up for it.”
“The first couple of times, we
refused to let him in, so he just
stood outside for hours. Aaron and I arent Heartless, so the last few times we let him come in and sit for a bit.”
“And every time he comes, he brings a mountain of gifts…” Jacqueline pointed to a piled-up corner of the living room. “Where was this energy before? Pulling this act only after the divorce.” Tanya couldn’t hide her suspicion. “What exactly is his endgame here?”