Chapter 43
The Shiny but wasn’t just big. It was a sprawling mare, built with care from the ground up. It was a family legacy that had grown over the years But a large estate wasn’t always a good thing
oute Elizabeth had chosen.
Franklin found himself at a crossroads, debating wisich way to turn, uncertain of the route
After a couple of minutes, he caught snippets of Sharon’s distinctive, loud voice, and with his brow furrowed, he aimed to steer clear.
But as he was about to move on, he picked up on Sharon’s words. “Elizabeth, don’t touch it yikest Didn’t you say it wasn’t safe to touch!” Sharon” shouted
At the mention of Elizabeth’s name, Franklin changed course and followed the sound of Sharon’s voice. It wasn’t long before he spotted the sizable Samoyed lounging on the cobblestones, its tongue lolling out in contentment, eyes half–mast. It was clearly enjoying Elizabeth’s gentle strokes
Elizabeth had a soft spot for small animals, the kind of creatures that could charm anyone with their cuteness
She had a way with animals, more so than with people. As she stroked the dog, she gathered it into her arms, cuddling its soft neck, clearly
enamored.
Sharon stood there with a way smile. “You used to stay away from it, remember? You wouldn’t go near it back then.
*1 avoided in because of your brother, Elizabeth replied without a hint of fear. “Now I don’t have to mind him anymore, so I can pet it if I feel like
“Why don’t you have to mind him now! Sharon’s thoughts seemed to click, and she added, “Oh, right. I heard from Jerry that he was out with a random woman last night. Aren’t you upset at all?
Sharon’s peripheral vision caught sight of Franklin standing in the distance on the narrow cobblestone path. He looked upset, his expression gloomy and his brows knitted together. His clothes were unkempt and his striped shirt wrinkled. It was a far cry from his usual self with scrupulous care, and he seemed somewhat dejected.
Facing Franklin. Sharon suddenly felt she couldn’t catch her breath and wanted to leave quickly with the dog.
Elizabeth, oblivious, said boldly, “I just don’t have to mind him anymore. Who really wants to put up with his tempert Isn’t it better for him to find other women! So he won’t bother me
A dark cloud visibly surrounded Franklin. The air was thick with tension
Sharon swallowed hard, trying to clear her throat to wam Elizabeth, but she just tilted her head, clueless.
“What’s up? Got a sore throat?” After speaking, she continued to pet the dog, saying, Tim leaving soon. Don’t tell your brother I was here. I don’t want him to cause any trouble.”
She wanted to prevent Franklin from making a big deal out of it. But it was clearly too late.
Feeling awkward, Sharon just watched Franklin slowly approach with a stern face.
Sharon found herself torn between speaking up and staying quiet, desperately trying to signal Elizabeth, but Elizabeth couldn’t see
Franklin’s figure became clearer as he neared. Now it was just a few steps away from standing behind Elizabeth.
Displeasure filled his brows, and his dejection became more pronounced as he got closer.
Elizabeth was still unaware, happily petting the dog’s head: “You’re getting chubbier, and your touch is much better,”
A shadow slowly
dow slowly fell from above her head.
Sharon’s heart leaped into her throat, and she unconsciously rugged on the leash, causing the dog to lean back. Elizabeth sensed something unusual and looked up at Sharon, who was staring in horror at something behind Elizabeth.
Out of reflex, Elizabeth glanced back. Her eyes locked with Franklin’s from a downward angle. He gazed at her with weariness and a deep sense of bewilderment
The look of suspicion in his eyes startled Elizabeth, and she yanked her hand away from the dog, jolting to her feet. Franklin didn’t have time to react, and her forehead collided with his chin. A clear, sharp crack echoed as their bones met
Franklin stumbled back a few steps, clutching his mouth and nose. The “crack” was likely from the impact of Elizabeth’s forehead against his chin. It Jarred his teeth and nose
The sudden movement frightened even the Samoyed, lying on the ground, so it retreated quickly. Sharon stood there with her mouth agape, shocked into silence before finally blurting out, “Bro, you’re bleeding.”
Chapter
Hearing that, Elizabeth quickly dropped her hold and spotted the streak of bright red seeping from between Franklin’s fingers.
She’d come to talk about the divorce and return his cous. Thinking Franklin was out, she was just about to leave when he showed up unexpectedly, and she ended up lauting him by accident.
“A–Are you alright?” Elizabeth inquired, her tone and body language showing genuine worry.
Franklin’s confidence had taken a hit. He had suffered a string of embarrassing days. Sharon was struggling to hold back her laughter, her smug a bule annoying
Franklin’s anger simmered. With a slight frown, Franklin wiped the blood from his nose and pulled the dazed Elizabeth toward the North Building. I wasn’t far to go.
Feeling responsible for his injury, Elizabeth meekly followed with her head down. She stayed silent even when her wrist throbbed from his grip. and she could only watch as the blood left a mark on her skin.
Vera, who was dying up the room, was about to greet Franklin and Elizabeth cheerfully as they returned. But before a word could leave her lips, she was sharply dismissed
“Vera, give us a moment, Franklin instructed
No sooner had the door closed than Elizabeth found herself pushed into the closet.
Her clothes were covered in dog hair and fluff. Franklin couldn’t tolerate it. “Change before you come back out!”
The floating fluff made the air thick and hard to breathe. Franklin started to choke, his throat tight and his breath fast. The moment the words left his mouth, he was clutching at his throat, leaning against the wall, and coughing so hard that it felt like his mouths was on fire.
His coughs were harsh and explosive, as if he was trying to cough up his very lungs.
The sound sent a jolt of fear through Elizabeth. Acting on instinct, she quickly changed into clean clothes and rushed out.
Elizabeth knew how to handle his situation. She dashed to the bedside, searching wildly for the inhaler. She turned the place upside down but couldn’t find it. She remembered leaving it there.
“Franklin, where’s the medicine?” she asked, her voice shaking with fear.
Franklin gasped out, “Under the pillow”
Getting the hard object under the soft pillow, Elizabeth hurried to the bathroom. Just like every time Franklin had a relapse, she held the inhaler to his mouth and nose, allowing him to breathe in deeply.
The coughing stopped. His collar was wet with sweat, soaked through, and a fine red flush covered his skin. His eyes were bloodshot from coughing, His eyelashes were damp with tears, some sticking together.
Elizabeth’s emotions slowly settled. She held the back of Franklin’s head with her fingers, gently stroking the ends of his hair, and asked with
“Are you feeling better now?”
concern.
As the heavy drumming of his heartbeat faded, his breathing evened out, too.
The icy sink pressed against Franklin’s palm. He leaned against Elizabeth’s shoulder. It was close enough to smell the rich sweetness at the nape of her neck
Elizabeth had changed her clothes. There was no fluff anymore.
Her face, a mask of worry tipping into panic, was pure, untainted by anything else. Franklin pushed the inhaler away and took a few breaths on his own. What he meant to say was gentle, but it came out harsh. Back into his protective carapace, he said, “You happy to see me like this?”
Elizabeth was confused. “Happy about what?”
“A sick man and a bastard daughter. We’re a perfect match, huh!” Franklin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
She’d never seen Franklin so self–deprecating.
Franklin was a man of privilege, accustomed to a life of case, but an accident before he tumed twenty took his sight and hurt his body, turning him
Into a sickly young master of the house.
Elizabeth couldn’t hear to look at him. “Stop it,” she said, her voice imploring.
“Aren’t you thinking the same thing?” Franklin’s words were laced with bitterness. “Now that you’ve left me, you can do as you please, not having to hold back because of my health. You can touch and eat what you like now, right?”
“Over these past three years, I’ve really done you wrong” Franklin added
Chapter 43
Franklin had overheard the conversation she had with Sharon
Franklin was a guy who really valued his pride. Seeing his wife look at him that way, it was no wonder he snapped. But he was also using a low move, putting himself down to make her feel bad.
Elizabeth felt trapped, wanting to bolt when her hand was forced open suddenly and the inhaler got yanked away. Franklin lifted his hand, about to
smash it
“No,” she begged, clutching his wrist with her tiny hand, barely able to reach around it. She stood on her tiptoes, kissing his chin. Her lips just brushed his. Her other hand stroked his face. “Don’t smash it. You can’t afford to break it,”
Her kiss caught him off guard, and he froze.
Maybe the comforted him out of guilt, but love! That was long gone.
Elizabeth used all her charm, sweet–talking Franklin into lening go of the inhaler. She buried one hand in his hair, her warm palm against his scalp. I never saw you ike that. Just take it easy
He was tall and lean, towering over her by a good half–head, but now he leaned on her for comfort
With his eyes shut, Franklin tried to kiss Elizabeth, but she dodged. He held her still, his voice as light as a feather. “You can’t accept I’m sick?”
Elizabeth’s voice dropped. “No,”
“Don’t dodge then,” Franklin said.
“But-
Elizabeth’s protest was cut off by his kiss.
