Chapter 277 Losing Weight and Falling in Love
Elizabeth let out a frustrated sigh. "Who else could it be?"
Sarah's eyes went wide. "Is it that jerk Michael again?" she asked.
Elizabeth nodded.
Sarah's face flushed with anger. "I knew it! Michael is such an irresponsible jerk! He just satisfies his desires and doesn't care about the consequences at all! What a scumbag!"
She leaned in closer to Elizabeth, whispering fiercely, "Elizabeth, you can't keep letting him get away with this! If he tries to force you again, just cut off his genitals with a pair of scissors! Let's see how cocky he is after that!"
Elizabeth rubbed her forehead, clearly frustrated. "Sarah, that's assault. I'd go to jail."
Sarah was still fuming. "He doesn't deserve you," she shot back. "One day, he'll regret it!"
Elizabeth sighed again. "Let it go, Sarah. I'm done with him."
Sarah looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Elizabeth explained, "He keeps blaming me for Calla's miscarriage. Even though there were a lot of suspicious circumstances around it, he insists I owe him a baby."
Sarah's face turned even redder with rage. "Is there any man worse than him? Elizabeth, you've been way too lenient with him!"
Elizabeth shrugged. "It's fine. I'm pregnant now. Once the baby is born, I won't owe him anything."
Sarah shook her head. "You never owed him anything, Elizabeth. You're free."
Elizabeth put a hand on Sarah's shoulder. "Sarah," she said, "I can't be drinking at your wedding now."
Sarah nodded. "I understand. I'll cover for you."
Elizabeth kissed her cheek. "I love you, Sarah."
Sarah kissed her back. "I love you too, Elizabeth. Always, no matter what."
Dinner was served at the Thomas mansion, but Eloise was nowhere to be seen.
Michael asked, "Susan, where's Eloise?"
Susan replied, "I haven't seen her today. I'll go check."
Michael stood up. "No need. I'll go find her." He left the dining room and went upstairs to look for Eloise.
Eloise was sitting by the window, staring blankly outside.
Michael followed her gaze, but there was nothing but darkness.
He knelt down beside her, speaking softly. "Eloise, what are you thinking about? Can you tell me?"
Startled, Eloise blurted out, "Michael! When did you get here? I didn't see you."
Michael took her small hand in his. "Tell me, what's bothering you?"
Eloise shook her head. "Everyone has a mom, but I don't have a mom anymore."
Michael's heart clenched. He'd thought there was time. He'd planned for Eloise and Mary to reunite once Eloise recovered.
But fate had intervened. Mary died before Eloise could ever call her "Mom."
Poor Eloise never got to experience the warmth of Mary's embrace.
Michael wondered if keeping Eloise isolated at Global Horizons International School had been a mistake.
A ringing phone cut through Michael's thoughts. It was Matthew. "Michael," he said, "are you going to David's wedding?"
Michael stood up and replied, "Yeah."
Matthew continued, "The ceremony's tomorrow. Want to hang out with David tonight? I heard his fiancée has a whole entourage with her. Poor David's all alone; he can't even see his bride."
"You might as well just say, 'Elizabeth will be there,'" Michael replied.
Matthew laughed. "You'd figure it out anyway! Honestly, I hope you don't run into her."
Michael replied, "I'll be ready."
Matthew said, "I'm on my way to your place. We'll go together."
Michael hung up and noticed Eloise tugging on his sleeve.
"Eloise, what's up?" he asked, concerned.
Eloise pleaded, "Michael, I want to go to the wedding too."
Michael patiently explained, "Eloise, there will be a lot of people there. I'm worried you'll be scared."
Eloise shook her head gently and said, "I won't be scared, Michael. Not anymore."
Her eyes, filled with a determination Michael had never seen before, locked onto his.
She had always been shy and avoided social interactions, especially crowds.
Was it the surgery that awakened her self-awareness?
Had her intelligence increased significantly?
If so, it was a good thing.
Michael turned and called out, "Clio, help Eloise pack. She's coming with us."
Hearing this, Eloise jumped off her chair and hugged Michael's waist happily.
She was excited to see Elizabeth, Nolan, and Pearl again.
That evening, they arrived at the beach house.
David welcomed them warmly and arranged for a barbecue on the beach.
A group of young men and women were eating, drinking, and singing by the bonfire.
Elizabeth, feeling nauseous lately, avoided the barbecue. Instead, she sat on a beach chair, watching Dean help Nolan and Pearl collect seashells.
The gentle breeze lifted her hair, and her expression was soft and serene.
Michael watched her from a distance, his gaze intense.
Why wasn't she eating anything?
She had lost so much weight in just a few days. Her dress hung loosely on her frame.
Was something wrong? Was she sick?
Her scandal with Carter had been cleared up, and the Jones Group was doing well. She shouldn't have any worries.
If she did, it was probably because of Michael.
Mary's death, Calla's miscarriage, his injuries—they were all connected to her.
Michael observed Elizabeth closely, noticing the fatigue on her face.
Was he putting too much pressure on her?
He drank glass after glass of the cold liquid, lost in thought.
Matthew approached, following his gaze to Elizabeth.
Matthew exclaimed, "Elizabeth looks so thin! Is she dieting to stay in shape for Carter? I heard celebrities do that."
Hearing this, Michael shot him a cold look and Matthew quickly backed off.
Matthew turned to David and said, "David, let's have a drink!"
Elizabeth's phone rang, and Michael watched as she took out her phone and swiped to answer. She seemed incredibly gentle while talking on the phone.
He couldn't hear her words, but he could read her lips.
She was saying Carter's name.
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