Chapter 384 Losing Her Forever
Rainey's face suddenly turned ugly.
It seemed that no one could shake Francis's determination to protect Elissa.
For the sake of Elissa, Francis has even sacrificed his own future, making Rainer dislike Elissa even more.
Elissa was always good at reading people's expressions. Since she was a child, she knew how drunk her father had to be before she would get beaten.
Since Rainer didn't like her, there was no need for her to say much.
Now that she and Francis had broken up.
Moreover, even if she wanted to please Rainer, it was clear that Rainer wouldn't appreciate it.
She didn't want to do anything to please others, so she maintained the necessary politeness. "Do you have anything else? If not, I'll head home first."
Rainer hesitated. She didn't want the wedding to happen, but she also didn't want Francis to reconcile with Elissa.
Moreover, Francis had said not to ruin the wedding, otherwise...
Elissa noticed Rainer's hesitation but didn't wait for her to speak and pulled Efren away.
At the door, she was stopped by Rainer. "Do you want to marry Francis?"
Elissa smiled. "Mrs. Peterson, Francis and I have already broken up. Isn't it too late to ask this now?"
Saying this, she took Efren's arm. "This is my new boyfriend. In the future, don't come to me because of Francis. Efren will be unhappy."
Rainer had a lot to say but couldn't get it out, watching Elissa walk into the community.
Behind Rainer's car, Simon looked at Francis's face with some fear.
Even though Francis was protecting Elissa, some misunderstandings, once they took root, would still haunt him.
None of them had anticipated that Francis's love life would be so challenging.
Rainer was startled when she walked over. "What are you doing here?"
Francis didn't respond and turned to leave.
Simon bowed to Rainer and quickly followed.
Rainer was worried, feeling like she had gained a few more wrinkles.
She immediately went home and told Wesley about the situation.
"Elissa has a new boyfriend? Didn't Efren and Jessa conspire against them? Why are they together again?" Wesley's eyes, though cloudy, were still sharp.
Rainer was also puzzled. "If their relationship is harmonious, did Efren tell Elissa the truth?"
But the next second, she denied it herself. "No, if Efren told the truth, Elissa would definitely reconcile with Francis. I don't believe she would choose Efren over Francis."
Wesley stroked his cane, thought for a few seconds, and said, "Could it be a plan between the two of them?"
Rainer was startled. "You mean, Elissa knows Francis is protecting her, so she's secretly cooperating."
Wesley nodded.
Rainer suddenly understood. "I was wondering why Francis was hiding behind my car. It seems they were putting on a show for me?"
Elysia spoke up, "You're overthinking it. Francis is determined to protect Elissa, but she may not know. She probably made some agreement with Efren."
"Her saying she has a new boyfriend isn't an act. If Francis didn't let her know about the protection, she would be upset and unwilling to say much to you. With Efren by her side, she just used him as an excuse."
Rainer, who had been in business for many years, had a very sharp mind.
She paused for a moment.
But soon she figured it out. "So Francis hiding behind the car wasn't to put on a show for me, but to check on Elissa. He probably knew I was going to see Elissa and was afraid I would harm her."
"Fine." Rainer laughed in anger. "Francis is really infatuated."
Elysia said, "We are also at fault."
Rainer looked at Elysia.
Elysia said, "When things develop to an extreme, they will inevitably turn in the opposite direction. The more rational and calm Francis is, the harder it is for him to deal with love."
Rainer pursed her lips. "I should have found a wealthy lady for him to marry when he grew up, instead of letting him play around for a few more years."
Jacob came home after a day's work and only then learned about all this.
But he brought good news. "The people watching at the hospital reported that Jessa refused to have the wedding with Francis."
Jessa had now made things clear with Francis and didn't care about her image anymore.
She went crazy in the hospital, smashing everything she could.
Francis just sat there, calmly watching her smash things, then raised his hand slightly, and Simon immediately handed over the compensation.
The hospital director couldn't say anything.
After smashing everything, Jessa, panting, looked at Francis sitting by the window.
His handsome face was cold, his eyes calm, as if what had just happened was an insignificant farce.
He didn't even blink.
Francis, who seemed cold to the core, was so passionate about Elissa.
He was willing to risk her life for Elissa.
"Francis, haven't you thought that if you marry me, I will cling to you for the rest of my life, and you will never have a chance with Elissa again?" Jessa said.
"No." Francis coldly and decisively spat out this word.
Jessa was heartbroken, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
He only spoke when Elissa was mentioned.
She had been going crazy for half a day, and he hadn't said a word.
"Don't you want to know the truth about that night? I'll tell you in exchange for my freedom," Elissa said.
"Too late," Francis replied coldly.
Jessa knew it was too late. She was just testing him.
Even if Francis agreed, she wouldn't tell him.
If she did, she would be completely doomed.
No one could outsmart Francis, and even if someone did, their end would be miserable.
The person who almost drowned Elissa had their entire family disappear from Maple Valley.
She was now shielding Elissa from those malicious attacks.
If she revealed the truth about that night, not only would she fail to protect Elissa, but Francis would also hand her over to those vicious enemies.
"Fine, since you want to marry me so much, I'll marry you," Jessa agreed.
The wedding was her only chance to escape.
Francis knew exactly what she was thinking.
He kept her confined in the hospital, giving her no chance to escape.
On the wedding day, from the hospital to the hotel, he would watch her the entire time.
She couldn't escape.
Both had their own thoughts.
Simon called in the cleaning staff to tidy up the ward.
Jessa pulled the blanket over herself and lay down.
Francis still sat by the window to prevent her from trying to jump out again.
Elissa returned home and called Hope to let her know she was safe.
Efren cleaned up the kitchen and ordered some food ingredients on his phone.
When the delivery arrived, he started cooking.
Elissa, holding her phone, walked to the balcony. "I don't plan to find out what happened that night. This breakup made me realize that I don't have the courage to stand against the Peterson family with Francis."
Hope understood her. "You don't want him to fall out with his family."
Elissa smiled. "I think the countryside in Regal City is really comfortable. I'll take you and Madison to stay there for a while, okay?"
There wasn't anything particularly urgent at the moment.
A short stay for a few days was still possible.
"Let me ask my mom," Hope replied.
Elissa caught the key point, "You're not planning to bring Jerry?"
"He doesn't have time."
"How come I don't have time?" Jerry's voice suddenly rang out, "How long have we been married and you're already tired of me?"
Elissa hung up the phone, not wanting to listen any further; it was inappropriate.
Then she went to the kitchen. "What are you cooking?"
Tranquil Haven.
Hope pushed away the approaching Jerry. "What does Francis mean?"
Jerry told her the truth.
Hope frowned slightly. "His intentions are good, but Elissa is easygoing and doesn't mind much. I think Francis's approach is a bit off."
"Doesn't matter." Jerry grabbed her hand that was pushing him away and kissed it. "Show more concern for me."
Efren made four dishes and a soup, all of Elissa's favorites.
Elissa eagerly took a piece of meat and put it in her mouth, giving a thumbs up, "Delicious."
Efren served her a bowl of soup.
Elissa took a sip and smacked her lips. "When did you learn to cook?"
Efren's cooking skills were indeed good.
Efren said, "I worked in a restaurant."
Elissa thought about his situation. "How about this, I'll hire you to cook. I'll provide the ingredients, and pay you for your labor."
Efren lowered his eyes. "Elissa, are you pitying me?"
"Of course not." Elissa took another piece of meat. "Effort should be rewarded; this is called creating value through labor."
Efren smiled. "Elissa, this is what I should do. After all, you said I am your boyfriend."
Elissa almost forgot about that. "I'm using you, you should have noticed that, right?"
Efren nodded.
If he hadn't wronged her first, Elissa would have thought she was quite bad.
"To be honest, although I broke up with Francis and was hurt by his actions today, I haven't completely let go."
"I understand, but Elissa, he's not worth your true feelings."
Elissa smiled. "Because of Jessa?"
Efren nodded. "What if something like this happens again in the future? I think you can tell a lot from one incident. Growing up in a family like Francis's, he will inevitably have various suitable marriage partners in the future. Elissa, I acted to protect you, fearing Jessa might hurt you and Francis couldn't help. I overstepped and hurt you instead. I'm truly sorry."
Regarding Jessa, Elissa did mind.
But she could also understand.
Not getting what she wanted could make Jessa act out.
She wasn't completely calm now either, sometimes she still wanted to go and argue with Francis.
She had confidently declared in front of the Peterson family that she would never break up with Francis.
But within seconds, that confidence would disappear.
All her courage was used up when facing Elysia.
"Falling in love is hard to explain." Elissa took a tissue. "That's why I rarely fall in love."
Efren cracked a crab for Elissa. "Elissa, you can use me however you want, and I'm willing. You don't need to feel guilty towards me because I also did wrong and hurt you."
At ten o'clock in the evening, Simon came to report to Francis.
But he was hesitant to speak.
The moonlight outside the window cast a thin layer of coldness over Francis. He looked up from his computer, his eyes sharp.
Simon quickly said, "Efren is staying over at Ms. Wilson's house."
Francis's fingers holding the pen turned white.
Jessa poked her head out from under the blanket. "If you keep this up, you'll lose her forever."
Francis didn't even look at her, nor did he respond, just instructed Simon, "Keep an eye on them until midnight."
Simon had something to say, but seeing Francis's cold eyes, he quickly left.
Jessa sat up and looked at him. "Francis, you still don't understand women. Elissa doesn't easily fall for someone. If you hurt her this time, it will be hard for her to open up to you again. I strongly suggest you go comfort her now; it's the best solution."
Francis continued to look at the files on his computer.
Jessa didn't stop talking just because he was silent. "Using me to shield her from your enemies is only a temporary solution. What will you do after I'm gone? Find another woman to protect her? Your enemies won't relent, and even the Peterson family won't support this."
"Francis, if you continue down this path, you and Elissa can never be together. She will not only be targeted but also become the only stain in your life," she added.
Francis grabbed an ashtray and threw it.
It almost hit Jessa's head.
She knew this was a warning from Francis, otherwise, he would have aimed directly at her head.
Francis sneered, "Don't project your filth onto others. Elissa is not a stain in my life, she is someone I like. But you, if it weren't for your usefulness, you would be the stain in my life. Jessa, I only have myself to blame for not seeing the true nature behind your innocent facade. But from now on, if you say one more bad word about Elissa, I won't be polite to you."
Jessa angrily pulled the blanket over herself.
He watched her day and night without saying a word.
But when it came to Elissa, he had so much to say.
In that case, they would go down together.
If she died, she would take Elissa with her!
When Elissa got up in the morning, Efren was already up, carrying breakfast from the kitchen.
She glanced at the sofa and asked, "Was the sofa uncomfortable to sleep on?"
"I've slept on park benches before. This sofa is much softer, and I slept well. I'm used to getting up early," Efren replied.
Efren's smile was bright and pure, as if the past darkness had never left a mark on him.
Elissa seemed to be infected by it and smiled too.
Efren stayed over last night because his focus had shifted back to his hometown with Cinda.
He also had a personal motive, wanting to stay in the same space as Elissa.
He said staying in a hotel was a waste of money because he couldn't stay there long.
"I'll head back now; I can't leave my grandma alone," Efren said.
Elissa had bought Cinda a phone with video capabilities, and they had video-called last night.
Even though Cinda told Efren not to rush, he couldn't help but worry about her being alone.
If something happened and he couldn't see Cinda one last time, it would be a lifelong regret.
"I'll take you to the airport," Elissa replied.
After breakfast, Elissa put on some makeup and wore a knitted dress that was simple yet perfectly outlined her figure.
Efren couldn't take his eyes off her until Elissa patted his back. "Let's go."
They went down to the underground garage, got in the car, fastened their seatbelts, and Elissa stepped on the gas, the car speeding out of the garage.
At the gate, Elissa rolled down the window and handed the security guard breakfast.
She smiled brightly. "Here's breakfast for you. My boyfriend made it, and it tastes pretty good."
That familiar figure was not far away.
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