All of us immediately turned to look at Elliott.
His cloudy eyes slowly opened, scanning the ward and lingering on each of us before finally settling on me.
Ashton understood at once and led Leighton and Mallory out of the ward, leaving me alone with Elliott.
I sat by the bed and fixed my gaze on him. When I spoke, my voice was choked with emotion, “Mr. Wallace Senior, I’m sorry I came late,”
He smiled faintly, and I could see his cracked lips moving slightly. I could not make out his words, so I leaned closer. He said slowly in a hoarse voice, “Pip, our family owes you an apology.”
My tears immediately came flooding out, and it was unstoppable. I shook my head frantically. “Mr. Wallace Senior, you’ve always been good to me. I’m just unlucky.”
When I left the ward, Ashton was sitting on a bench in the corridor. Mallory and Leighton were nowhere to be seen.
He stood as I approached, taking in the redness around my eyes. Without a word, he seemed to understand most of what had transpired.
“Let me take you home to rest,” he offered.
It had been nearly five hours since I landed, and exhaustion was beginning to weigh on me. I nodded and followed him to the underground car park.
As soon as I got into the car, the overwhelming scent of Mallory’s perfume filled the space, making my stomach churn violently. I rushed out, bending over as nausea overtook me.
Ashton hurried to my side. “What’s wrong?”
I waved him off, struggling to suppress the reflex. “It’s nothing. I probably just feel a bit faint from skipping dinner.”
Once I regained some composure, I forced a smile. “I’ll call a cab. The scent in your car is a bit strong for me.”
He froze for a moment before understanding dawned on him.
Without a word, Ashton bought my favorite snacks and accompanied me to the cab stand. When I gave the driver my apartment’s address, Ashton interjected, directing him instead to the house we used to share.
I felt uncomfortable. “Ashton, it’s not appropriate for me to stay there now. With Mallory-”
“She doesn’t live there,” he interrupted, staring out the window.
I blinked in surprise, unsure of what to say.
He turned back to me. “Pip, that’s our house. I wouldn’t let her live there.”
