Chapter 45
The sound was cut short so quickly as it left their cars ting
But it was too late. They’il heard the suggestive noises.
It was so embarrassing
Lawson just warmed to vanish, tubbing his face as he med, not knowing what to say to lighten the meal. But Sharon was the one who spoke up, her laugh sounding a hule off. 1–brown, maybe we slinki bead bank downstans”
“Alright,” Lawson replied, nodding his head. They had no other choice in this samanON
As Lawson set his foot on the step, the echo was loud. He tied to be quiet, not wanting to bother the couple inside, but Shainn waunt as thoughtful. She was always a bit clueless, never really considering the consequences.
Her low heels clanked on the step, making a flat, heavy sound
The noise was startling. Lawson was caught off guard, gripping the banister and looking at Sharon with a confused frown. She looked Bustered, ber foot hovering, unsure if she should step down. She was the picture of awkwardness,
Lawson couldn’t resist a laugh and waved her over
Feeling better. Sharon was about to put her other foot down when the door behind them suddenly opened a bit, a sliver of light and warm air spilling out. dusting over Laeson’s and Sharon’s hacks.
They turned to see Franklin leaning against the door frame, his eyes still holding a trace of desire, as if he was caught between being fully there and being lost in thought. Maybe he had just left a tender moment, but his voice was deep and unclear. “What are you two doing here!”
was super awkward now
Nothing was more embarrassing than being caught eavesdropping and Sharon, now steady, blurted out without thinking, “We I mean, we’re just here to check out the place. You buy that, right?”
Her words seemed to challenge Franklin
He raised his eyebrows slightly, tilting his head and questioning with his eyes.
Seeing Sharon was really nervous, Lawson pulled her back, putting her behind him, and said firmly, T’m here to see Elizabeth. Didn’t she come over today!”
“She did” Franklin responded, his voice steady.
“Where is she?” Lawson asked, stepping forward
“In the room.” Franklin replied, pointing over his shoulder.
“Get her out here Lawson said, his voice firm.
Franklin glanced slyly into the room, where in the dim light and swirling dust, he
pulling her hair back, her form haloed in a silvery glow.
could j
just make out Elizabeth. She stood before the mirror,
At the sound of voices from outside, she quickened up.
With a teasing glint in his eye, Franklin didn’t tell the truth. Instead, he said playfully. “She can’t come out
Lawson didn’t get it. “Why?”
Her legs are
weak. Franklin said with a mischievous look on his face.
Sharon didn’t catch the full story, only hearing “weak” before Lawson clamped his hands over her ears, glaring at Franklin through gritted teeth. “Are you kidding me? There’s a kid here. What’s wrong with you!”
“Ask your sister the reason Franklin said, deadpan
Lawion was so aguated.
open from the inside, and out stepped Elizabeth, looking composed. Her face was clear, not panicked, devoid of the drama
Then the door swung open in they’d imagined
With a cool detachment, Elizabeth walked past Franklin, descended the stairs, and took shelter behind Lawson
12.45 PM
Chapter 45
Lawson released Sharon’s ears, his glance sweeping over Elizabeth’s face with a look that said. “This is as embarrassing as it gets. Today sure wasni the day for a divorce talk.
He could only declare firmly. “We’ll come back another time.”
Elizabeth hurried after Lawson, stepping out of Shiny Estate quickly.
She splashed through a puddle, sending droplets onto Lawson’s paints. He froze for a moment, stood still, took a deep breath, turned away, and said in a sharp tone. “Elizabeth, what in the world are you trying to pull?”
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth retorted.
Truth be told, this was a family matter between Elizabeth and Franklin. Whether to divorce or not, maybe both families should weigh in, bur Lawson didn’t need to back her up or lend a hand.
He came out of sheer sympathy, seeing how she’d been taken for a ride by the Jones family for three years.
But there she was, showing no guts or resolve to divorce.
Lawson was so frustrated that it hurt. He couldn’t understand what kind of feelings were so hard to let go. Even if they had once been in love, things had gone too far today. Shouldn’t it be time for a divorce!
“You said you wanted to divorce Frank, and I came to help, but look at you. What have you done?” Lawson shouted, disappointed.
Elizabeth boomed even louder. “What did I do?”
“I came to help you talk about the divorce, and you guys are holed up in the room, all lovey–dovey. What’s that about?” Lawson was just upset that she wasn’t standing up for herself.
“Lovey–dovey?” Only then did Elizabeth realize that he had misunderstood. She immediately got flustered and said in a shaky voice. “He had an asthma attack. I was just helping him breathe.
Lawson was skeptical. Then why did Frank say that?”
He couldn’t believe Franklin would act inappropriately without reason. Franklin was so principled. He never joined in card games and never smoked, and the women around him were all introduced by friends. Lawson even hardly ever heard Franklin curse
Elizabeth knew what Lawson was thinking, and her face flushed with anger. She wouldn’t cave in to Franklin’s words, no matter how low her standards had fallen. “Because he’s a jerk.”
The insult landed on Franklin from afar. He sneezed lightly, feeling weak all over. Sharon was still on the stairs, watching him with an idle gaze. clicking her tongue and sighing, “Bro, I didn’t think you’d be such a shameless person.
As soon as Elizabeth and Lawson cleared out, Franklin’s face went back to its usual cold mask. “Stop standing there. Don’t you have something better to do!”
said with
“Of course,” Sharon said with a smirk. “Just gonna watch the show”
“Beat it,” Franklin snapped
“Come on,
bro,” she pursued, genuinely curious. “Did you guys have
“What’s it to you!” Franklin retorted.
you guys have a brawl?”
“Seeing you all worked up, I thought Id check in. Sharon said.
Franklin looked at her with a cold face. “Why do you care? Don’t pretend to be all concerned.”
Sharon never thought he would be so ungrateful, but she kept her grin. “Just worried if Elizabeth splits, who’s gonna look after you!” “Why would the leave! You tell me?” F
“I do care, I swear! Sharon insisted
Franklin asked.
Even though she wasn’t Elizabeth’s biggest fan, Elizabeth had been incredibly kind when she was with the Jones family, always doing her uthust with any Lask. Sharon had given her a hard time a few times, just for the fun of it, nothing too wild.
They had their line squabbles and playful jabs, but there was no real malice.
Cu the subject of Elizalarth’s divorce, Sharon felt no guilt and wanted to make that clear. “I wasn’t the one who gave her the hardest tune, right? You’re out having a blast, leaving her at home. When Yvonne hassled her, you never stood up for her. Bro, do you even know why Ehzabeth wants a
Chapter 45
Franklin could hardly believe what he was hearing from Sharon.
These
e might also be Elizabeth’s true thoughts. He stared into the void, as if peering into Elizabeth’s soul.
In a slow, soft voice, he asked, “What haven’t I done for her? Didn’t I give her the best?”
Sharon pursed her lips, feeling a bit choked up. “Bro, you’re all about the looks. That’s all. Is Elizabeth like those other women you’re with! She’s your wife, not some trophy you win with gifts”
“How do you know she doesn’t want gifis? Franklin questioned, confused.
“If all she wanted were gifts, she’d have married anyone back then, right? Sharon replied.
Compared to that, marrying into the Jones family came with a price to pay. No matter how she thought
great bargain.
thought about it, it wasn’t a
Franklin held onto his patience, caught a hint of something, blinked, and inquired nonchalantly. “Who else could she have married“”
Besides Franklin, Elizabeth should have had no better options at the time.
That was why Elizabeth had calculatedly gotten close to him, deceiving him out of all his initial love and trust.
Sharon didn’t ponder it. Leaning on the railing idly, she said, “Like her teacher, for instance. I never mentioned it to you. I attended her concert before.
“Teacher?” Franklin said, narrowing his eyes.
“Yeah, she was a musical genius back then, touring abroad with her teacher. One played the cello, and the other played the piano. They were like a match made in heaven, with over a decade of perfect synergy. It’s a shame what happened after. Sharon trailed off.
“Enough.” Franklin said, aware of Elizabeth’s history but unwilling to dig deeper, not wanting to dissect the moments of their love.
He thought, ‘Did she soothe that man, too? Did she kiss him! How many times did she put her tender arms around his neck at swe
sweet moments?”
The imaginary excessive details swamped Franklin, and he couldn’t deny his own jealousy.
“So how should I treat her?” Franklin asked sincerely.
The abrupt question left Sharon confused. “What?
“You implied that I was not good to her. So how to treat her right?” Franklin asked.
