Chapter 41
er than anything else. Yet, it
The cello was a treasured gift from someone incredibly special to her who had since passed away, more valuable to her had been left to gather dust forgotten in some neglected corner for three long years.
Franklin’s fingers tightened in the chilly air, curling into fists at his sides, his expression cold as if he could freeze someone with a glare.
After collecting herself, Elizabeth spoke in a raspy voice, “I don’t much care for people touching my stuff.”
“And that includes me?” Franklin asked, disbelief in his voice. He found it hard to accept that, even after three years together, she still kept him at arım’s length.
Franklin longed for the days when that person was still around. The absence of a rival, now gone forever, amplified his frustration. “This is just a piece of crummy cello,” he remarked, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction “flaven’t I handed you presents that are way more precious than this?”
“Price isn’t what matters” Elizabeth said softly, a clear note of regret in her voice. She knew she had stepped over the line, feeling a pang of guilt each time Franklin crossed her mind. She had hurt his pride, leaving him feeling humiliated
She swallowed hard. Trying to diffuse the situation and hoping to make this issue just vanish into this air, she decided to be the first to back down and show weakness. “If you’re here about the blood donation, don’t worry. I’ve already told Lawson. I volunteered.”
Franklin’s brow furrowed. So he hit you?”
Elizabeth had been hit and insulted, and the realization hit her hard. She lifted her face, her eyes now icy. “He said I married into your family just to be a blood donor. He told me to divorce you, and I’m considering it.”
“Aren’t we family he questioned with a hint of confusion and hurt in his voice.
“The Taylors are a poor, broken family, never daring to rise to the heights of the jones family. I’ve always known my place. LEzabeth’s words painted a picture of a family that knew its limits, never overstepping the bounds set by their social standing
Facing Franklin, Elizabeth felt a deep–seated sense of inferiority, which only grew after marriage. The stage and the applause that once surrounded her were gone, and with them, the halo and titles that once defined her seemed to vanish like bubbles. She was like a pet kept by him at home.
When he was happy, he’d pet her and offer some affection. When he was in a bad mood, he’d belide and ignore her
Now, Elizabeth stood before him, her face as delicate as a Bower’s heart, her eyes shimmering with clear, bright points, mirroring the woman from three years ago.
Franklin fel a trance, as if he was back on that night. Then he raised his hand to hold Elizabeth’s chin, but as he leaned in, she dodged.
“What are you doing? Elizabeth asked, her voice quivering
Franklin held her chin, his nose brushing against it, feeling the coolness of her skin, and he wanted to kiss her like he had three years ago.
But the strong fear he sensed in Elizabeth kept him at bay.
“Cold” Franklin asked out of the blue,
Elizabeth’s eyes danced with defiance. “If you’re here to pick a fight, you can turn around and leave
Instead of responding. Franklin silently removed the soft, velvery gray scarf from around his neck and wrapped it around hers. Her face, already charming, had a natural afture without makeup. With the scarf covering most of her face, only her bright, expressive eyes peered out
What’s with Franklin’s sudden act of kindness!” Elizabeth thought, baffled
Franklin, on the other hand, was as cool as a cucumber, as if he’d just tossed a crimb to a beggar. “I’m not here to fight. I don’t have the time you think I do.”
Once the scarf was in place, he dropped his hands and casually took hold of Elizabeth. “Get in the ear. It’s freezing”
Elizabeth didn’t budge. Thail a cab just up there.”
She was set on keeping her distance.
The cold was intense, and her breath formed misty clouds as she spoke, casting a hazy veil over Franklin’s view. He remained unruffled standing there with his coat collar crisply turned up, the row of amber buttons on his coat reflecting a cold gleam.
He seemed unaffected by the chill wind…
Noticing the cell case on Elizabeth’s back, Franklin let out a light chuckle. “What’s this?”
You’re back to your u
old gig?”
With one hand on the
Elizabeth was wary. Twe got to earn a living now that I’m leaving you.”
“Think you can really leave me? Franklin asked, hinting at doubt,
She’d been living the high life for three years–it wasn’t easy to just walk away.
But Franklin had underestimated Elizabeth. Her gaze was unwavering, her eyes bright. “You might be a golden boy, but I’m not.
Franklin’s eyes narrowed. “You sure you won’t get in the car?”
I’m not getting in.” Elizabeth replied decisively.
“Alright.” Franklin said, accepting her decision.
The fourth amber button on the coat caught her eye before it slipped from view as Franklin swiftly turned and got in his car with a door slam that echoed loudly.
The engine revved. Tires screeched, and then the car was just a blur before vanishing from sight
Elizabeth exhaled in relief. She then caught a cab back to the Taylor residence and quietly stashed the cello in her room. The place wasn’t soundproof. No way could she practice without being heard.
Sitting on the carpet, with warm air flowing overhead like soft ripples in a pond, she touched the cello’s strings. They were old and couldn’t produce a beautiful sound anymore. But even with new strings, without the man from her past, her talent from those days was gone.
With her cheek against the cello, feeling the mix of cold and warmth, Elizabeth felt sleepiness wash over her. Just as her thoughts began to drift, she heard unsteady footsteps on the stairs.
Martha’s scolding accompanied them. “How much did you drink this time? I’ve told you to drink less again and again. No matter how good your health is, you can’t take the consequences of intemperance.”
Elizabeth slowly stood up, opened the door, and found Lawson, who was utterly wasted and being held up by Martha. A coat was hanging over his arm. His black shirt was smeared with lipstick, and the strong scent of perfume mingled in the air.
Elizabeth frowned, about to retreat, but Lawson grabbed her. He was mostly drunk but had a sliver of clarity left.
With that Lawson tossed the coat into Elizabeth’s hands, his voice rough and slow from the alcohol. “Take a look. Do you recognize this coat?”
Martha barely kept him from falling
Elizabeth casually looked at it. She had seen it just hours before, but she played dumb, throwing the cost bark. “No idea. I’m going to bed. Take
“Get back here,” Lawson said, pulling her closer, his eyes red from the alcohol. Studying her with a smirk for a while, he asked, “How sharp mast your tongue be to get Franklin that mad
Elizabeth didn’t get what he was saying.
Lawson propped his leg against the wall and pushed the coat back to Elizabeth. Franklin was with me tonight. He got wasted, and now he’s headed to a hotel with some starleĽ
“And? What’s that got to do with me? Elizabeth shrugged, unfazed. She’d seen this kind of behavior from Franklin before,
She examined the soft coat in her hands. There was a sharp smell of alcohol. “I’m not mad at him. You’re the one who told him about the blood donation. That’s why he came after me. I’d rather keep my distance, not wanting to cause him any more grief”
“Look at you,” Lawson teased, waggling his finger at her. “Quite the sharp tongue”
Elizabeth turned away, trying to ignore the drunkard’s ramblings, yet she still heard him say, “I wanted you to talk things over with him. Even if it means a divorce, do it peacefully. But no, you only made it worse.”
They were into an argument again.
Martha wanted to pull Lawson away, but he stood firm, slapping the coat for emphasis. “Get this coat cleaned tomorrow, return it to Franklin, and apologize.”
Twont Elizabeth snapped.
Lawson playfully swatted her and said, “After you apologize. Til talk
fil talk to him
him about the divorce from you, alright?”
His tone was resigned but also indulgent. Elizabeth rubbed her head, saying in surprise. “Really?”
“How can I let them keep drawing your blood?” Lawson loosened his tic, agitated. “You ungrateful girl, biting the hand that feeds ut
12:45 PM B
Chapter 41
Lawson wasn’t a bad guy. He just had a sharp tongue.
Elizabeth clutched the coat, nodding happily. She had already forgotten about the beating from yesterday, “I knew you were the best!”
“Cut it out” Lawson winked at her. “Go make me some hangover soup. Show me your gratitude, will you?”
“Sure,” Elizabeth said. All the tension from the previous day dissolved.
Elizabeth balled up the coat to hand to Lawson, paused, and then gave it to Martha. Tll get started right away.”
She skipped toward the kitchen, steps light and cheerful. Martha watched her with a sigh, not understanding her détermination to divorce, and looked at Lawson with worry. “Are you really going to take Betty to talk about the divorce!
They both knew the Jones residence was a perilous place, akin to entering a dragon’s den with no return.
Lawson was out of options. “What choice do we have? She’s my sister. Can’t stand by and watch her donate blood endlessly, right?“}}
