Chapter 33
The room was toasty, the warmth seeping up from the floorboards and thawing the anger that Elizabeth usually kept under wraps. She wasn’t the type to get steamed. She was the one who always kept her cool and did what she was told.
Growing up, she’d learned to be meek, able to flash a smile even for a high–maintenance guy like Franklin. But lately, she got the feeling he didn’t just want to be the boss at home–he wanted to be the king
“Did you walk Franklin out?” Martha had been on pins and needles at the door, and as soon as Elizabeth walked in, the blurted out her question
Elizabeth had a knack for being cunning. She knew when to pick her fights.
She could pout and grumble to Martha about stuff she wouldn’t dare bring up with Helen, clinging to her arm and pouting as she leaned on Martha’s shoulder “Martha, why didn’t you give me a heads–up that he was coming? He gave me a fright last night.”
“I was gonna wake you, but Franklin said he’d go in on his s own,” Martha said.
Last night, with the thunder and lightning, she’d been jolted awake from a nightmare.
Seeing Franklin at that moment, she could’ve sworn she was face–to–face with a ghost. Even now, she felt a shiver down her spine.
“Please don’t pull that again. I’m really craving some peace and quiet, no unwanted visitors, Elizabeth said firmly.
Martha clapped her hand over Elizabeth’s mouth. “You’re still married, so watch what you say. Besides, from where I stood, it looked like Franklin’s got his eye on you. Don’t tell me you’re just acting out, trying to flex?”
Even as a joke, Elizabeth didn’t find it funny
Her heart felt heavy, as if it was about to burst. She sniffed hard, holding back tears. With her head down, the parting line in her hair seemed even more pale. “Martha, I’m really divorcing him this time. He’s all smiles to my face but a snake behind my back. I can’t live like that.”
“Okay, okay, why the waterworks?” Martha said, dabbing at Elizabeth’s dry eyes, Elizabeth strained but couldn’t force out a tear. Her act was only half–hearted, but to Gilbert, who’d been eavesdropping, it spoke volumes.
They were standing at the cozy entryway, not expecting Gilbert to show up.
He’d been there a while, catching Elizabeth’s talk of divorce. He didn’t step closer. He just stood at a distance and asked, “Betty, are you really calling it quits”
Elizabeth wiped at her eyes, looking innocent and bewildered as she met Gilbert’s puzzled look.
She was drained, tired of the back–and–forth about divorcing Franidin. She didn’t feel like explaining herself to every Tom, Dick, and Harry.
“I’m tired. I’m just going to rest in my room,” Elizabeth said, her voice fading as she headed off.
Without another word, she let go of Martha’s hand and ran off. Gilbert watched until her figure disappeared around the corner. Then he turned his puzzled gaze to Martha, waiting for an explanation.
Martha was evasive, too. “Betty was just joking around. Don’t take it seriously. I’ve got to get back to my own business now.”
The warm wind blew in from all directions, cozy and enveloping.
The noise from the hall next door continued, a jumbled mess to Gilbert’s ears as he stood there, mulling over Elizabeth’s words and recalling the images of her with Franklin.
It was clear things were different from three years ago.
Back then, Elizabeth, in her interactions with Franklin, was sweet and lovely, her youthful innocence giving her eyes a dewy shine, her face full of vitality. She was as docile as a kitten that would never think of showing its claws to its master when she was with him.
Franklin, a man of high standing, was rooted in the belief of a match made in social status.
If Elizabeth had been a legitimate daughter of the Taylor family, it would have been smooth, but knowing she was a love child, Franklin looked down on her from the heart. He married her half because he was won over by her tender affection and half out of gratitude..
At that time, Elizabeth was the only woman who could tolerate his bad temper. But things were different now
Klizabeth would never talk back to Franklin at the dinner table before, nor would she stay for Cilbert. Gilbert realized their marriage
must have hit
It was just fine with Gilbert. It was what he had been hoping for.
Chapter 33
After the rain, all the withered leaves were swept into a pile, golden and mixed with the occasional fiery red, lying there like a painting under the altemoon light
Elizabeth, after waking up f
from her nap, spotted Gilbert by that pile of leaves.
She hardly got any sleep last night, squished on a bed with Franklin. It was small, and she could tell he was just as miserable, practically curling up to make it fit.
He had grumbled in her ear now and then. The room of the Taylor family’s princess is just like this. Even my housekeeper’s room is
or than
fancier t
this
He could really
Dy talk a lot, especially at night. With him there, Elizabeth couldn’t catch a break. She only felt better after a power nap.
Rubbing her eyes, her voice thick with sleep, Elizabeth said, “Gilbert.”
Gilbert pocketed his phone. “You’re up!“.
“Were you waiting for me?” Elizabeth asked,
He should have been resting in his room, not hanging out in the chilly late–autumn courtyard. Gilbert didn’t deny it. “Helen wants me to take you to go shopping She says you’re going to be staying at the Taylor residence for a bit.”
Elizabeth didn’t e
t question it. “Oh, alright then, let’s go.”
All of Gilbert’s talk about long–term stay and shopping was made up just to get a rise out of Elizabeth. Now it looked like his hunch was right. There was trouble in paradise with her and Franklin,
Gilbert, with a straight face, tipped his head. “Let’s roll I’ll drive. Show me around. It’s been ages since I’ve been back to Yaville.”
Elizabeth looked thoughtful and asked warily, “The last time was for my wedding, right?”
“That’s right. I left after your and Frank’s wedding” Gilbert said.
Sunlight dappled the tree–lined path, the courtyard soaked in old–world charm and the scenery laced with a bitter beauty. Elizabeth walked along having changed out of her previous pristine white dress
A scarf was colled around her neck, and a bulky sweater hugged her body tight with no extra skin showing. It wasn’t really her style.
“That dress you had on at noon was really nice. Why changer Gilbert asked, his smile subtle as he looked at her.
Elizabeth didn’t give it much thought. “Really?”
Franklin had bluntly said it was hideous, but Gilbert was sincere, his gaze firm and sure. “Absolutely, Elizabeth, you look stunning in everything.”
For the past three years, validation had been rare for her. If she annoyed Franklin, he’d sarcastically tell her she couldn’t pull off any outfit, just a bad copy, or that she was like a little schemer, always trying to please men.
His words stung over time, making her feel inadequate.
With a soft smile to Gilbert, she said no more, ducking into the car.
Yaville wasn’t very big, with only a handful of lively spots.
Gilbert probably picked out some outfits for Elizabeth to try before they arrived, and he gently pushed her to try them on in the store. It was an offer hard to turn downL
Even though Elizabeth was distracted, she went along with it.
As she entered, the door next door opened just right, and a flash of a fiery red dress caught her eye–a gorgeous dress that demanded a woman with a striking beauty to carry it off.
It was Paula, one of Franklin’s mistresses and now a well–known actress. She could pull off that dress.
As Paula was about to check the mirror, her eyes flicked over, her sharp features lighting up p with clear delight. “Elizabeth!”
Elizabeth was only taken aback for a moment before a vague smile spread across her face. She might have been the only wife who could sincerely compliment her husband’s mistress while trying on clothes in the same store.
“It’s been ages since we hung out. I’ve missed you, Paula said. To Elizabeth, she was an innocent woman.
Paula approached in that fiery red dress, glanced around cautiously, and then whispered into Elizabeth’s ear. “Mr. Jones didn’t come, right?”
Elizabeth smiled, “No”
Chapter 33
With the relief on her face, Paula held Elizabeth’s hand. “That’s great. I’ve always wanted to have dinner with you. Just wait while I change.”
“Well, it’s not really appropriate, right?” Elizabeth hesitated.
Paula was still enthusiastic. “I’ve got some dirt on Mr. Jones. Don’t you want to know which little vixen has caught his eye lately?”
With a playful raise of her brows and a flirty wink, she sashayed into the fitting room
She completely forgot that she used to be one of those mistresses herself.
