Chapter 31
le of ladies raised his head – it
The room went quiet as Franklin had his piece, and over in the living room, the big cheese surrounded by the gaggle was Gilbert
Gilbert had a real sharp, put–together look about him, his eyes shining behind his slick glasses.
Soon
2 he caught sight of Elizabeth, his whole attitude mellowed out. He opened up his arms and reached a hand out to her.
Elizabeth stood there for a second, her face a mix of feelings, before she let out a soft, drawn–out “Gilbert.”
Gilbert cracked a faint smile, his hand still held out invitingly.
Out of habit, she almost ran and leaped into his arms. Back when she was a kid, Gilbert would wrap her up like that every New Year’s Day, always so kind and caring-
With one foot already on the step, Elizabeth was ready to pounce at him, but Franklin grabbed her hand.
His eyes were locked on Gilbert down there, but his chin was right up close to Elizabeth’s car, his breath hot on her skin. “Elizabeth, you’re a grown woman now, not some little girl. You really going to throw yourself at your uncle?
Elizabeth had to admit that Franklin had a point. After taking a moment to think it over, she shot Gilbert a smile across the room.
“Thank you for the lecture,” she mocked.
With her back turned. Elizabeth couldn’t see the scowl that came over Franklin’s face, but her smile brightened as she hustled down to Gilbert and gave him a fast, cautious hug before stepping back.
The ladies around Gilbert were Elizabeth’s aunts. They exchanged knowing smiles. “Aw, Betty and Gilbert are still just as thick as thieves, one of them cooed.
“Yup, always been that way,” another chimed in knowingly.
“Now don’t you go spoiling our Betty too much, Gilbert. She’s a full–grown woman these days,” another aunt tutted.
Surrounded by the chuckling, teasing crowd, Elizabeth stood close by Gilbert’s side, and he reached over to affectionately ruffle her hair like she was still his little girl. “Betty’s still just a young thing, after all, said he doringly.
Gilbert then gave a casual adjustment of his glasses, pretending he was just now noticing Franklin sauntering over. “Hey there, Frank Been a while,
hasn’t it?”
That got the aunts turning their attention to Franklin, watching him walking over without haste.
Sometimes, Franklin would drop the whole gentlemanly act, transforming into something downright predatory–like a big old cat lazily flexing its claws, his cool, calculating eyes betraying a calm nobody could quite read
He stood next to Elizabeth with a slick smile, casually taking her hand in a way that just screamed this one’s mine!”
Hi He greeted with politeness and then looked at Gubert with a detached air. “Didn’t expect to see you back in town!
Gilbert kept his composure. “Yes, I returned for Helen’s birthday, but I’m a day late. Such a shame” He swiftly changed the subject to Elizabeth. “Betty hasn’t been back in three years. Lucky I came today”
Franklin nonchalantly swiped away Gilbert’s hand and put some space between Elizabeth and him.
“Unluckily, she’s leaving with me,” Franklin said. That wasn’t the story he told last night.
Elizabeth glanced up at Franklin, not willing to
to cause a scene in front of everyone.
He valued his pride above all. Anyone who dared to offend him would face his wrath.
Back then, she’d only tricked him, and he made her pay for three long years. Elizabeth couldn’t bear to go through that again.
She just laughed it off. “Since Gilbert’s back, I’ll stick around a couple more days”
Her finger got pinched. It was a warning from Franklin, but she slipped her hand away, linked arms with Gilbert, and played it cool. “Gilbert, would you like to join us for lunch?
“Sure, Gilbert siel
“Let’s head to the dining room. Aamts, shall we all go together?” I
gether?” Elizabeth asked. She invited everyone except Franklin.
Chapter 31
Even Martha felt for Franklin and warmly said, “Franklin, you should join us, too. The hospital isn’t busy these days, right? Have lunch before you go. You didn’t eat a thing when you came last night.”
He’d rushed over in the pouring rain, only to be met with Elizabeth’s cold stare. Franklin nodded faintly, unusually composed, as if nursing a silent grudge, and he walked to the dining room alone,
Even the aunts sensed the odd atmosphere. They fell silent and stopped fawning over the bond between Elizabeth and Gilbert.
The aunts walked ahead, creating distance.
Gilbert’s eyes squinted as he redirected his gaze from Franklin’s back. His eyes, deep like a tranquil pond, remained undisturbed as he spoke to Elizabeth with a mix of fondness and curiosity. “Frank hasn’t changed over the years, has he? Is he angry again!”
Elizabeth gently y extracted her hand, maintaining her politeness. “No, not at all”
“How’s things going with you two?” Gilbert inquired.
“Great” Elizabeth lied.
In reality, things were a mess. 1
Their divorce seemed as close as signing a document.
Gilbert kept his composure, his smile unchanged whether he was genuinely amused or not. “But I’ve heard from Lawson that Frank is often entangled with other women. Aren’t you upset?”
“Should you trust what Lawson says?” Elizabeth said, grinning. “Anyway, those women aren’t really into him. It’s not a big deal to me.”
“Your grace is commendable, Gilbert commented.
“It’s just how it should be,” she joked with a serious face, as if she appeared genuinely unfazed by Franklin’s extramarital affairs.
Gilbert smiled too, casually taking the back of Elizabeth’s hand. “If you’re feeling wronged, don’t hold it in. You don’t need him to rescue anyone anymore, so why bother?”
“Gilbert,” Elizabeth said, sliding her fingers out slowly. “You all have it wrong. My marrying him wasn’t just for Mr. Evans.”
“What was it for then?” Gilbert pursued.
As they approached the dining room, through a slightly ajar door, they could hear the bustling sounds of dinner being prepared. There was a lively gathering within, with someone calling out for Frank to sit with Elizabeth later, and he agreed.
His voice was as clear and soothing as a mountain stream, always pleasant to the car.
Elizabeth was forthright in her feelings. Even facing divorce, she wouldn’t deny her initial love. “Of course, it was because I liked him. If it was just to save Mr. Evans, I wouldn’t have needed to involve myself.”
Under Gilbert’s puzzled gaze, she rolled her eyes, showing a hint of cleverness. “Let’s go in. Don’t keep them waiting for too long.”
He nodded, not asking further. “Alright.
The visiting women sat at one table, while Elizabeth, Gilbert, and other immediate family members sat at another. They were separated by a half wall, with servants bustling about, carrying dishes and preparing the table for a long while.
This meal was even more exquisite than the one last night.
Elizabeth was led by Martha to sit next to Franklin.
As she sat down, she asked, “Isn’t Lawson coming back for lunch!”
“No,” Martha replied, arranging the fork and plate for her and placing her favorite dishes in front of her. “He didn’t come back yesterday, either. You know how he is. He always loves to hang out, feeling itchy if he doesn’t go to those flashy places for a day.”
Gilbert defended Lawson. “He’s just that kind of person, but he hasn’t done anything really bad.”
The originally peaceful scent changed with a bland comment from Franklin. “Both siblings don’t like coming home. It’s genetic.”
