Chapter 14
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Franklin’s voice echoed through the night, a tone that could only belong to him. Elizabeth turned, her gaze drawn to his crisp trousers and shoes that reflected the night’s soft glow.
“Look up,” Franklin commanded.
She did, and the light caught her eyes, revealin for words, she bristled, “What brings you here?”
“Can’t I be here?” Franklin shot back.
ranklin’s clean–cut face. At a loss
“Didn’t we agree? If we meet, it’s at the courthouse or you’re handing over divorce papers.”
Elizabeth was dressed quite plainly, with a plastic bag full of everyday essentials in hand. She slowly stood up, exuding a commanding presence. “Or did you bring them today?”
Franklin’s eyes flicked to the stray dog at their feet before returning to her, his brow creased in concern as he stepped back, “Why aren’t you with the Taylors?”
Elizabeth found that their conversation was not clicking at all.
She stifled the urge to roll her eyes, turning to leave. But as she shifted, Franklin grabbed her hand and pulled her back in front of him. “I’m asking you, where are your manners?”
“Gone,” she snapped, pulling away. “I’m an illegitimate child, raised without a mother. I guess marrying into your family was a stretch too far. Once you sign, you’ll have your pick of ‘proper‘ ladies.”
“Finished?” Franklin inquired.
“Do you want to drag this out in court?” she shot back, her resolve unwavering.
Franklin was puzzled. Through the sweater, he tried to appease her by gently massaging her slender wrist with his thumb. “You were the one who wanted this marriage.”
She didn’t deny that.
“I regret it,” she said.
The evening breeze whispered past, ruffling her hair into loose curls that framed her determined face. She met Franklin’s gaze, his expression a mask of calm.
Then he said, his voice firm, “I’ve always provided you with the best when you were living with me. Are you sure you want to walk away?”
“I’ve never been more sure,” she replied, resolute.
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16:49
Blindfold Of Love
Even if it meant reverting to her status as a nobody in the Taylor family, Elizabeth was set on leaving the Jones family.
Franklin remained silent, the silence stretching between them.
He observed every move and subtle expression of Elizabeth, but he couldn’t find any hint of jesting. He realized then that she meant bu
$5.
“Has she got tired of me? Maybe that was just Elizabeth–impatient and easy to fall out of love, Franklin thought.
“Let me say it one more time. Once I sign those papers, there’s no turning back,” Franklin warned.
Her eyes shone with a fierce light. “I hope you never ask me that again,
“Alright, I’ll sign.” Franklin compromised.
He wanted her to understand the consequences of leaving him, of leaving the Jones family–she’d be nothing but an outcast.
Feeling relieved, Elizabeth shrugged. “Bye.”
As she turned to leave, her foot connected with the stray dog that had been quietly begging for scraps. The kick seemed to have hurt it, because the once docile creature suddenly bared its teeth, ready to spring.
Elizabeth had turned her back to the pup, so she didn’t see what was coming.
But Franklin saw it first, his warning cry cutting through the night. “Elizabeth, watch out!”
She was too slow to react. As she spun around, the dog pounced. In an instant, she was encircled by Franklin’s arms, her back pressed against his chest, his royal blue silk tie fluttering towards her.
Elizabeth recognized it–it was the one she had picked out for Franklin.
He cried out as his ankle was clamped in the dog’s jaws, the sharp pain searing through him, numbing as it spread.
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