Chapter 486 Struggle
Elizabeth gazed into Louis' eyes and spoke sincerely, "Louie, money and stuff, we can't take it with us when we die. What I've lost is just material things. If giving them up can help Eloise get better, then it's worth it. I should be thankful I have these resources to trade."
Louis finally looked her in the eye, tears welling up, "Elizabeth, thank you, from Eloise and me."
"Louie, what are you talking about? I'm doing this to repay Eloise's kindness. If she hadn't saved my son, she wouldn't be suffering now. You wouldn't be stuck in a foreign country."
Louis wanted to say more, but Elizabeth's phone rang. Michael's name appeared on the screen.
Elizabeth gestured for Louis to be quiet and answered the call.
Michael's lazy voice came through, "Why did I wake up to find my love missing?"
Elizabeth whispered, "Sorry, I was hungry and came down to get something to eat. You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you."
Michael, still sounding half-asleep, spoke slowly, "Oh, right, we didn't have dinner. You looked so delicious, I couldn't resist and ate you first."
Louis, sitting across from Elizabeth, clearly heard this and awkwardly turned his head away.
Elizabeth felt extremely embarrassed and quickly covered the phone, whispering, "I'm outside right now. Stop talking nonsense. Are you hungry? The barbecue I ordered should be ready soon. I've asked the waiter to pack it up. I'll bring it back for you."
Michael laughed, "I'm already up. How can I let you be out alone? After all, you're my hard-won wife. I can't let anyone steal you away."
The sound of rustling came through the phone, likely him getting dressed.
Michael put the phone on speaker and buttoned his shirt, "Alright, send me your location. I'll come find you."
Elizabeth hung up and sent him the address of the shop.
Louis saw this and stood up to leave, "Elizabeth, Michael's coming over, right? I should go. Text me when you have time. I'll be off."
Elizabeth nodded, "Okay. Goodbye."
Louis hurried out of the snack shop, pulling up his hoodie and heading away from Velvet Sands Hotel.
Just as the waiter brought the barbecue and oysters, Michael pushed the door open and walked in.
The bell on the glass door jingled loudly.
He probably didn't expect his entrance to be so dramatic. The sudden sound drew the attention of the other customers.
Despite being a foreigner, Michael's height, looks, and charisma attracted everyone's gaze.
The female customers whispered among themselves.
Elizabeth couldn't understand a word, but she could guess they were talking about her husband.
Michael stood beside her, leaned down for a deep kiss, then took the seat next to her.
He whispered in her ear with a chuckle, "Just announcing ownership and belonging."
Elizabeth thought to herself, 'He sure knows he's attractive.'
Michael looked at the takeout boxes on the table, "Should we eat here or take it back?"
Elizabeth started unpacking the food, "I was trying to save you some trouble by bringing it back. But since you're here, let's eat here. Oysters are best fresh."
Michael, hearing there were oysters, whispered in her ear again, "You ordered oysters? Are you trying to tell me I can be even more...energetic?"
Elizabeth couldn't stand his suggestive talk tonight. She stomped on his shoe, "Shut up!"
Michael pouted, "How can I eat with my mouth shut?"
Despite his words, he picked up an oyster and brought it to his mouth.
Elizabeth, fed up, decided not to eat any oysters herself and pushed the whole box towards him.
"You love them, right? They're all yours."
Michael turned to her, eyes full of mischief, and whispered, "Elizabeth, are you really dissatisfied with my performance? How about giving me another chance later? I'll make sure to impress you."
He raised the oyster, "After all, you gave me so many oysters. You should see their effect."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the ceiling. 'Great,' she thought, 'after the "strength" challenge, now comes the "oyster" challenge.'
Tonight was going to be tough.
She glared at Michael, "Hurry up and eat! Finish quickly so we can go back!"
Michael laughed while eating, "Yes, Mrs. Thomas. Since you're so eager, I'll make sure to put in the effort."
Elizabeth gave up arguing and focused on her barbecue.
After finishing their meal and paying the bill, they walked back to the hotel hand in hand.
On the way, Michael tightened his grip on Elizabeth's hand and spoke seriously, "I think I saw Louis on my way here."
Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat. She tried to stay calm, "Why didn't you call out to him?"
Michael shrugged, "He's afraid of me now. If I called him, he'd probably run faster."
Elizabeth thought, 'You really know him well.'
She looked down as they walked, "Michael, give it some time. I'll arrange for you and Louis to meet."
Michael's voice turned somber, "I'm not in a hurry anymore. I have a bad feeling. If Louis had good news, he wouldn't need me to find him; he'd come to me. It's because he feels guilty that he avoids me. I think if I never see him, I can keep pretending Eloise is still alive. I can hold onto hope. After all, in Aurora Bay's cemetery, there's only Eloise's headstone, not her ashes."
Elizabeth looked up. In the night, Michael's expression was pained and conflicted.
She felt a pang of sympathy and reached out to touch his forehead, her fingers resting between his brows, as if to smooth out the wrinkles.
Her own brows furrowed in thought. Should she tell him the truth?
If he knew Eloise needed a kidney transplant, he'd insist on being tested.
But they both knew he and Eloise weren't biological siblings, making a match unlikely.
Eloise's relatives included Quinn, William, and Anthony.
That father-son duo wouldn't even consider sacrificing themselves for Eloise.
But what about Quinn?
Michael hated Quinn, wishing he could kill him.
If he knew the truth, what would he do?
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