Chapter 377 Breakup
"Come and take a look." Francis handed her the warm water, waited for her to finish drinking, and then asked, "Do you want more?"
Elissa shook her head, sat up, wrapped herself in a blanket, and after her thoughts cleared a bit, she said, "I'm fine, you can go back."
Francis looked at her without saying anything.
Elissa also remained silent. After a while, she seemed to understand why Francis had come. "Did Hope say something?"
"Yeah, she said you plan to break up with me," Francis replied.
Elissa's lips moved slightly.
When she was chatting with Hope, she did have that thought.
But in front of Francis, she found it hard to say.
However, given the current situation, she felt she should make a decision. She thought, 'When I have Francis, I don't realize how important he is. It's only by risking loss that I understand my feelings. Then, whether we part ways or overcome obstacles together, at least I've made a choice.'
"Yes, I did..."
"Put that thought away," Francis interrupted calmly, his voice almost cold. "What happened with Jessa was my fault. I'm sorry, and I know that's not enough. You're injured now, so you can't hit me, but when you get better, you can hit me as much as you want. I won't object."
Elissa already had a headache, and hearing this made it worse. "I'm not blaming you, and breaking up isn't just about this."
To be honest, she was also at fault.
She had seen that Jessa was not a good person and had told Hope to be wary of her.
In the end, she still didn't guard against her.
Jessa got the opportunity because she wanted to see how far Francis would go for her.
Elysia was right. One's upbringing reflected their quality, how they treated people, and how they handled matters.
When she met Francis, he always seemed indifferent, never showing absolute preference for anything.
Later, she learned about his family situation and realized that was his way of self-protection.
Moreover, Francis never panicked, staying calm even in the face of great danger or sudden changes.
This was something he had absorbed from his family environment since childhood.
As for her, she could chat with anyone among various partners, say nice things to maintain good relationships.
Negotiating deals was not a problem; at least, the ones she wanted to negotiate were mostly successful.
But these things were effortless for the Peterson family and Francis.
Her negotiation skills weren't even as good as Jessa's. She worked merely to survive.
With only love, the help she could offer Francis was minimal.
So she was conflicted.
She had put on a strong front in front of Elysia, but cried like a fool in front of Hope.
Now with Francis in front of her, she couldn't bring herself to argue with him and force him away to break up completely.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
Francis waited for a long time, watching her expression change repeatedly and her lips move slightly, but no words came out.
Elissa pulled the blanket tighter around herself, leaving only a small part of her face visible.
After a moment of silence, she spoke, "Francis, I want to break up."
Elissa had always been courageous, living freely and enjoying life without any constraints.
Elissa paused for a moment and then continued, "Since you admit you were wrong and want my forgiveness, I don't want to hit or scold you. I just want to break up."
Francis couldn't accept it. Moonlight wrapped him in coldness. He sat on the coffee table, his long legs enclosing her space. But he knew he couldn't keep Elissa. He had promised not to restrain her, to let her remain free. After a long silence, despite his reluctance, he went along with her decision.
"Okay," Francis said softly.
The door opened and closed. The dim living room fell into a cold silence. If it weren't for the lingering scent of tobacco, Elissa might have thought Francis had never been there.
When Francis left, he took Simon with him.
But he still left a bodyguard to protect Elissa, in case someone took advantage of the situation to harm her.
But he didn't expect that just as he walked a few steps away, someone came to see Elissa.
Elissa didn't like the dark, so she turned on all the lights in the room.
She intended to call Hope and tell her not to come.
Otherwise, Jerry wouldn't be happy without Hope for two nights.
Besides, she was fine now.
She took some medicine and planned to sleep, knowing the sun would rise again tomorrow.
Just as she picked up her phone, it rang. Seeing the caller ID, she frowned slightly but still answered, "Hello."
The voice on the other end was cautious, "Elissa."
Elissa had really mixed feelings about Efren. He had teamed up with Jessa to mess with her, which made her furious. When he wouldn't say anything, she felt a strong urge to punch him. But she held back because, despite his initial lie about just joking around, she could sense he genuinely cared about her. Plus, she could feel his kindness. And this time, he had saved her life.
She asked, "Do you need something?"
"Yes," Efren replied.
"Then come up."
Soon, the doorbell rang. Elissa opened the door to find Efren standing there, his arms loaded with stuff. "What's this?" she asked.
"I talked to the doctor, and a lot of your favorite foods are off-limits right now. So, I thought I'd come over and make you something light. You need to take your medicine, and you can't do that on an empty stomach," Efren said, his face full of concern.
Elissa found it amusing. "Do you think I'd go hungry?"
Efren knew she wouldn't. Even with Francis caught up with Jessa, he wouldn't let Elissa go hungry. And Hope wouldn't either. But Efren felt too guilty to come empty-handed.
Seeing his hesitant and cautious demeanor, Elissa handed him some slippers. "Come in."
Efren felt guilty yet pleasantly surprised as he headed to the kitchen.
Elissa felt a cramp in her lower abdomen and went to the bathroom. When she stood up, she noticed a red stain and realized why her emotions had been all over the place. She checked the cabinet for sanitary pads but came up empty.
Back in the bedroom, she locked the door, still not fully trusting Efren. She hadn't expected her stomach to act up right after letting him in. After rummaging through the bedroom cabinet and finding nothing, she had no choice but to call for a delivery.
Since she hadn't brought her phone into the bathroom, she used some tissue and went out to get it.
As soon as she opened the door, she was hit by a strong smell of ginger.
She saw Efren coming out of the kitchen with a bowl of soup.
After a moment of silence, Elissa asked, "How did you know?"
Efren looked a bit embarrassed. "When we first met, I noted down when you had your period."
"But I know the date isn't always accurate, so I consulted a doctor who said drinking some soup in advance could help relieve menstrual pain."
Elissa might have hit her head, as her reaction was slow. "Well, it's too late, I already..." she said quickly without thinking. After a pause, she grabbed the bowl and drank it all in one go. "Thanks anyway."
Efren caught the key point. "Elissa, is it your period?"
"Yes." Elissa picked up her phone to order sanitary pads.
Efren accidentally saw it. "Let me go instead. Some delivery guys might not like taking this kind of order. I used to be a delivery guy."
For the first time, Elissa called a delivery guy to buy sanitary pads. She usually prepared in advance, but with everything going on lately and hitting her head, she forgot.
"No, wait," Efren seemed to remember something and said in a panic, "You should call Mr. Peterson. He's your boyfriend. I shouldn't be saying this. I'm sorry, Elissa."
Elissa didn't find anything shameful about her period.
Whether it was a delivery guy or Efren buying it, she didn't care, as long as she got what she needed.
But Efren's attitude made it seem like a big deal.
"Aren't you cooking?"
"I just made the soup and prepped the ingredients. It won't take long. The supermarket is right across the street."
Efren understood Elissa's meaning and immediately went out, not even taking off his apron.
Elissa didn't have time to stop him.
But she saw Efren pause at the door.
She took a couple of steps towards the entrance and saw Francis standing there with a cold expression.
Elissa instinctively opened her mouth to explain but swallowed her words. They had already broken up; there was nothing to say. But her silence only made Francis's expression darker.
He glanced at the apron Efren was wearing; it was one he had worn before.
Francis pushed Efren aside and walked step by step towards Elissa, his voice cold, "Did you break up with me to be with him?"
Efren, of course, wouldn't explain anything to Francis. He hadn't come to cause trouble for Elissa today, but Francis's mention of the breakup seemed to freeze him in place. If this was all it took for them to break up, then Francis's feelings for Elissa weren't that deep.
Elissa, in her current state, really didn't want to discuss these matters. "Mr. Peterson, we've broken up. Who I'm with is none of your business."
Francis sneered, "No wonder. You stood firm in front of Grandma, then suddenly decided to break up. You must've been planning this, just waiting for the right moment. When I felt guilty and apologized, you hinted at breaking up until I agreed. Ms. Wilson, what a strategy."
Elissa was speechless. Francis always overcomplicated things, but she didn't plan to explain. She wanted to show Elysia that, even at a disadvantage, she wouldn't lose her spirit.
Breaking up was her way of solving the problem and making Jessa let her guard down, giving Francis and Jerry a chance to act.
Despite being manipulated by Efren, she believed he wasn't truly bad—just being used by others.
"Yes, it's exactly as you think!" Elissa replied.
Francis grabbed Elissa's arm with considerable force. Before she could say anything, Efren hurried over to help, but he couldn't match Francis's strength.
"You're hurting Elissa. Can't you see she's in pain?" Efren snapped.
Then Francis called Simon, who came in and took Efren out.
"Take off the apron," Francis ordered.
Simon removed Efren's apron, placed it on the shoe cabinet, and closed the door. Efren couldn't fight Simon; he was a professional bodyguard. Moments like this made Efren hate himself—he couldn't protect the woman he liked, Elissa. He glanced at Elissa, who signaled him to leave, and he had to comply.
Inside the house, Elissa struggled to break free from Francis's grip, but his hand was like a vice, making her arm go numb with pain. She was already cranky because of her period, and now she was downright furious. "Let go!"Francis threw her onto the sofa. As Elissa landed, she felt a warm flow. She quickly tried to get up and head to the bathroom, but Francis held her down. Not daring to move too much, she could only push him away and shout, "Are you crazy?"
"I'm crazy," Francis said, pinning her hands above her head. "I even agreed to break up with you just to make you feel better. But Elissa, stop dreaming. You chose to be with me, so you're stuck with me for life."
"You bastard!" Elissa opened her mouth to curse him, but he silenced her with a painful bite. Her lips burned, and she tasted blood. With no other option, she kicked him.
Francis grabbed her leg, his hand's warmth making her shiver.
But the next second, Francis stopped moving.
Elissa, panting, glanced down.
Then she pushed him away and ran to the bathroom.
Francis stood there, stunned for a few seconds, then grabbed some tissues to wipe his hands and hurried out to buy sanitary pads.
But as he opened the door, he ran into Hope and Jerry. And Efren was handing Hope a bag and said, "This is for Elissa. Please give it to her."
"Thanks on her behalf." Hope didn't even look at Francis and walked in. And Jerry gave him a cold look.
Francis remained silent for a moment before asking, "Why are you here?"
Jerry retorted, "What do you think?"
Francis glanced at Efren, then at Simon.
Simon thought Efren had left, but he just went to buy sanitary pads and then notified Hope.
But Simon had to take responsibility for this mistake. He lowered his head. "Mr. Peterson, this was my oversight. I'll accept the punishment."
Francis turned and went back inside, with Jerry following close behind.
Efren tried to go in, but Simon stopped him. Hope said, "Let him in."
Simon looked at Francis for confirmation, not daring to move.
Before Francis could speak, Jerry said, "Let him in."
Francis was displeased, and Jerry said, "Just a reminder, don't provoke Hope. She's not on your side right now."
Francis knew he was at fault, but he couldn't agree with that statement. "Hope doesn't back me, but sides with Efren, who plotted against Elissa?"
Efren's face turned pale, unable to refute, but Francis's next words made him snap back.
"Moreover, Efren, a boy who tattles behind people's backs, is immature. What's there to support?" Francis added.
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