Chapter 68 No Time to Settle Accounts with Her
Alexander got that tanned skin and a vibe that screamed "manly man," but his face was all serious and sad now. He was just standing there, watching Elizabeth with this intense look.
Elizabeth had no clue what's going on in his head.
She always thought she had it together, could read people like a book. But with Alexander? She felt like he could see right through her.
Even now, with Esme getting worse, he was all torn up inside but didn't shed a tear, keeping it all bottled up.
On the outside, he's still rocking that suit, looking all powerful and icy.
But her? She was a mess, covered in dirt, looking like she just rolled out of a dumpster, squatting by the ward's entrance. Clara could set her up, Owen could mess with her, and Declan could chew her out.
And then there was Alexander.
Elizabeth had no idea what he'd do with her when he got the chance.
The guy was a master schemer, ruthless, never hesitates.
She couldn't compete with him. Not that she ever wanted to.
She never wanted to mess with anyone in Aldoria's high society. But she felt like a pathetic, greedy clown, smiling like an idiot, getting played by these rich folks.
Especially that cigarette filter she bought. It felt like proof she was trying too hard to please.
Alexander must've gotten that filter, right? What did he think of her?
Alexander's cold voice cut through the air, "Are you crying here because you really care about my mom?"
Elizabeth looked up, her face dirty and streaked with tears, "Of course!"
"So, all that care you showed my mom and your current distress, it's not just about our contract, not just for the money, right?" Alexander pressed.
Elizabeth stayed quiet. How was she supposed to answer that?
She needed money, no doubt about it! What would happen to the kid in her belly without it?
She didn't even have enough to visit her mom's grave back home; she didn't even know how her mom really died. The kid in her belly had no dad, and it was just gonna be the two of them against the world.
She was broke, fresh out of prison, desperate for cash. She couldn't do without the contract money.
"No, I..." Elizabeth stammered.
Alexander didn't even glance at her again, just walked back into the ward.
The whole place was packed with the city's rich folks. Esme was still out cold, and Elizabeth stood outside like she didn't belong. No one would remember that for over a month, it was Elizabeth who brought Esme joy and warmth.
They'd just see her as some mud trying to sneak into high society.
Elizabeth didn't have the guts to go in. Even if she did, they'd probably kick her out, right?
She quietly snuck to the back of the ward, peeking through a corner of the window at Esme, who was hooked up to all these tubes. Tears kept streaming down her face.
When it was past work time and she couldn't stall any longer, she finally left the hospital and headed to work. Luckily, no one gave her a hard time the whole afternoon.
Near the end of the workday, one of the designers hollered at Elizabeth, "Hey, Elizabeth! Starting tomorrow, you’re off the office hook for a week. Head to the construction site; they’re short on folks."
Elizabeth just nodded, "Got it."
Honestly, she was cool with it. Sure, the work was tough and tiring, but at least it didn’t mess with her head. Plus, the cafeteria at the construction site served up big portions. She was eating for two now, so her appetite was through the roof.
But if she went to the construction site, she wouldn’t be able to visit Esme at noon.
After work, Elizabeth rushed back to the hospital, thinking it was late enough that there wouldn’t be any more visitors for Esme, and she could spend some time with her and chat. But when she got to the ward, she saw Alexander sitting by Esme’s bed. He was holding Esme’s hand.
Esme was still hooked up to all those tubes, still out cold.
Elizabeth didn’t dare go in. She suddenly felt like Esme might not need her anymore. Or more like, Alexander wouldn’t need her to keep Esme company anymore.
Her heart sank even more. She might not even get to say a final goodbye to Esme.
Feeling super down, Elizabeth turned to leave and saw Gavin standing right behind her.
She walked past Gavin like he was invisible, barely brushing past him without a glance.
She knew that when Alexander needed her, she was Mrs. Windsor in Gavin’s eyes. But now that Alexander wanted her gone, she was nothing to Gavin. Not even a stranger.
Elizabeth knew her place.
But before she could take another step, Gavin called out, "Elizabeth, where are you staying?"
Elizabeth was stunned for a sec.
Then she turned to Gavin and said flatly, "Gavin, you want me to make it up to Mr. Windsor’s fiancée? I know Mr. Windsor hasn’t had time to deal with me. I’m at a budget motel near the hospital. You can come settle things anytime. I’ll be waiting."
With that, Elizabeth turned and left.
Gavin was at a loss for words. Watching Elizabeth’s lonely figure, looking like a gust of wind could blow her away, Gavin felt a pang of sorrow.
Elizabeth went back to the motel and curled up on the bed without eating dinner.
She didn’t sleep either. All night, she thought about the two years she spent in prison with Esme, who was like a mother to her, giving her warmth, support, and comfort, making those two years in prison not so long and bitter.
The next morning, Elizabeth got up early, quickly washed up, ate something, and rushed to the hospital, hoping to see Esme. But when she got there, she was told Esme had been taken into the operating room for emergency surgery again, and she didn’t get to see her.
With a heavy heart, she took the bus to the construction site in Sunwillow City. She’d be helping out there for a week, leaving her even less time to see Esme.
It was still up in the air whether she’d get to see Esme awake again.
Elizabeth pondered all the way.
Getting off the bus, she walked towards the construction site, feeling downcast, and bumped into someone.
Elizabeth looked up and saw Owen.
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