Chapter 46
When I arrived at the Mercer estate, it was just after lunch. Tessa was outside, tending to her flowers. As soon as she saw me, she set down her shears and came toward me.
“Elaine, you’re back! I’ve missed you so much. You naughty girl, how could you turn off your phone? You worried me to death,” Tonna scolded gently, taking my hand with a mix of anger and relief.
“Tessa, I’m sorry for worrying you. I heard you were ill,” I said softly, quilt creeping in.
“It’s nothing. It’s not your fault,” Tossn replied quickly. She pulled me to the couch and urged me to eat the fruit on the table.
I picked a grape and popped it into my mouth. “Tessa, are you feeling better now?”
“Much better. Seeing you makes everything okay,” Tessa cald with a warm smile, holding my hand tightly. Her affection made it even harder to say what I had come here to say.
But I knew it had to be done.
“Where’s Ethan? Is he not home?” I asked, trying to ease into the conversation.
“He is. He’s in the study,” Tessa replied, then called out, “Ethan, come out! Elaine is back.”
Each word she spoke only increased the pressure on me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she already knew why I was here and was deliberately trying to make it harder for me.
Ethan emerged from the study, wearing reading glasses. When he saw me, he took them off and asked, “Have you eaten? If not, Mom can cook for you. We always have your favorite food ready.”
Before I left, Ethan had insisted I call Tessa “Mom.” Even now, knowing I wouldn’t marry Logan, he still spoke to me like this. It was clear he was trying to pressure me emotionally.
Tessa played along, beginning to stand, but I quickly stopped her.
Although I knew what I was about to say would hurt them, it had to be done. Dragging it out would only make things worse.
As Ethan sat down, I took a deep breath and spoke. “Tessa, Ethan, I’m here today to talk about me and Logan‘ situation.”
