Chapter 42
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Logan tugged at his tie, his frustration evident. “Elaine, what exactly are you trying to do? Why did your suddenly refuse to get the certificate and then disappear?”
We had finished discussing work, and now he had shifted the conversation to what he really wanted to talk about our personal matters.
“I’m not playing games,” I stated firmly.
“Not playing games? Do you have any idea the chaos you’ve caused at home? My mother was so upset she ended up in the hospital,” Logan snapped, his anger rising.
Hearing that Tessa had been hospitalized made guilt well up inside me. I had always respected his parents. But guilt for them couldn’t erase the pain Logan had caused me
“I’ll explain and apologize to Tessa,” I said quietly.
“Elaine, that’s not the point,” Logan shot back. “I’m asking why you won’t get the marriage certificate.
He tugged at his collar again, the tie I’d given him last year now looking like it was suffocating him. This man had the audacity to act as though I was the one who had wronged him.
Fine. If he wanted to act this way, I didn’t mind making things clear.
I lowered my gaze to his wristwatch. Then, without hesitation, I said, “I went to Dazzle Residence…”
The sound of his chair scraping against the floor was sharp and sudden.
Logan‘ body stiffened, and his expression shifted rapidly. “I can explain…”
“There’s nothing to explain, Logan,” I interrupted. “No matter what you say, the fact remains: Selene is! living there. And…” I paused, the words catching in my throat before I forced them out. “When I went with her to buy bedding, she picked the ones you like.”
“It’s not what you think!” Logan stood up and walked toward me, his movements almost desperate
I instinctively took a step back. “Logan, I’m not someone who likes to overthink or guess. But I have eyes, and I can see. I also have a heart, and I can feel.”
“Elaine…” Logan shook his head slightly, his voice softening. “That house was prepared for you. It was decorated according to your preferences. I wanted to give it to you.”
“But you gave it to someone else,” I murmured, my tone calm but sharp.
“I didn’t give it to her,” he said quickly. “I just let her stay temporarily. You know her situation–after Liam’s death, her in–laws despise her. She has nowhere else to go, so I let her stay there.”
I smiled faintly, though my heart ached. “You planned to let her leave and then give it to me, didn’t you?”
Logan opened his mouth, but no words came out. His silence was enough.
A sharp pain pierced my chest as I dug my nails into my palm. “Logan, do I only deserve to live in a place someone else has already stayed in?”
“No, Elaine,” he said, his tone softening further. “I can buy you a new one.”
I laughed bitterly. “So you can keep one woman and hide the other?”
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Chapter 42
“Elaine Logan exclaimed, his voice rising as his frustration boiled over
I stayed calm, meeting his gaze without flinching
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Finally, he nodded, his expression hardening. “Do you have to be so petty? Weren’t you always kind and generous? Why can’t you tolerate Selene? She’s pitiful–pregnant, with no husband
“Yes, I know she’s pitiful,” I said, my tone cutting “That’s why Fm generously giving you to her. You can take care of her, marry her, and be the father of her child “I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes.
Logan grabbed my arm suddenly, his grip firm. “Elaine, what nonsense are you spouting? What do you take me for?”
“Logan, you’re the one who wants me to be generous,” I said, my voice steady.
“And your version of generosity is refusing to get married and breaking up with me?” he asked coldly, his eyes burning with anger.
I looked at him–the man I had admired for ten years–and replied, “Or should I share you with Selene?” “Why do you always have to be so unpleasant?” he snapped, his grip on my arm tightening. It hurt, but the pain only made me feel more awake.
“Logan,” I said quietly, “if I were the one taking care of another man, would you accept it?”
As I asked the question, Ashton’s face inexplicably flashed through my mind.
