Chapter 245
Elle’s POV
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I stared at Eleanor Blair as she dismissed me with that exhausted wave of her hand. The white porcelain medicine bottle felt cold and
heavy in my palm.
“I’ve told you everything you need to know,” Eleanor said, her voice carrying the weight of centuries. “How you choose to act is up to you.
I’m tired now. You may leave.”
I nodded silently, clutching the medicine bottle, and turned to walk away.
By the time I came out, night had fallen completely. The winter air bit at my exposed skin, but I barely felt it. My mind was spinning with
everything Eleanor had revealed.
Amy was waiting by the car, immediately draping a thick coat over my shoulders. “Ma’am, you look pale. Are you alright?”
I handed her the medicine bottle with shaking fingers. “Take this to Moonshade Bay Medical Center. Have the director analyze its composition, then give it to my mother.”
“What kind of medicine is this?” Amy asked, studying the bottle with curiosity.
“Just something to temporarily slow down the deterioration,” I replied, though my heart was heavy. This medicine wouldn’t really help much. It would only buy us a little more time.
Within an hour, the director sent back the analysis results. I gripped the report, staring at the chemical breakdown for what felt like an eternity. Every compound confirmed what I already knew–this was sophisticated alchemy, far beyond modern medical understanding.
I closed my eyes and leaned back against the car seat. “It looks like there really is only one path to save Susan,” I whispered to myself.
“Return to the Blair family.”
The phrase kept repeating in my mind: Blair family, Blair family…
“Can you come home? I need to see you.”
I’d sent the message to Brad on impulse, needing his presence more than ever. To my surprise, he responded immediately.
“On my way.”
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By the time I heard the front door open and the servants‘ respectful greetings, I was in the kitchen with Martha, ladling soup into delicate porcelain bowls. I’d spent the afternoon cooking, needing something to keep my hands busy while my mind churned.
I quickly untied my apron and rushed out to greet him.
The moment he saw me, something in his amber eyes softened. He took a step forward and pulled me into his arms, holding me tight
against his chest.
I melted into his embrace, patting his back gently. “You look exhausted. Go wash your hands–I just made soup.”
He pulled back to look at me, surprise flickering across his features. “You made soup? Yourself?”
The happiness in his voice made my chest tighten with guilt. He was so pleased by such a simple gesture, and here I was, planning to
leave him.
“Yeah,” I managed, trying to keep my voice light. “I didn’t have much else to do today.”
Brad’s gaze lingered on my face for a long moment, as if he was trying to memorize every detail. “How is Susan doing?”
My expression froze. I shook my head slightly, unable to meet his eyes. Even without words, he probably knew everything already.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said softly, his fingers intertwining with mine. They were ice–cold, and he immediately began rubbing them to warm them up. “I’ll figure something out.”
But I could feel him slipping away from me, even as he held me close. His grip on my hand tightened, as if that was the only way he could
hold onto me.
“Mmm,” I murmured, looking up at him.
“The soup will get cold,” I said, forcing a smile that felt stiff and unnatural. “Come on, try my cooking.”
Brad obediently accepted the bowl from a servant and took a careful sip.
He drank the entire bowl in one go, and I watched color return to his cheeks. For a moment, everything felt normal. Perfect, even.
As I watched his handsome face, my heart ached with what I knew I had to do. I’m sorry, Brad. I’m so sorry… I can’t abandon my mother. I can’t watch her die… This could mean I can’t walk through life with you anymore. Please don’t hate me…
“Elle,” Brad said suddenly, “I’m going to be very busy the next few days. I have to go to Africa for a while.”
Perfect, I thought with mixed relief and sadness. While he was away, I could return to the Blair family without him trying to stop me.
“Alright,” I replied calmly. “Take care of yourself.”
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Brad stared at me intently, and something vulnerable flashed in his eyes. “Elle, if I do something that makes you angry, please don’t leave me, okay?”
My eyes suddenly brimmed with tears. “Brad, if I do something that makes you angry too, please don’t hate me, okay?‘
We both fell silent, neither answering the other’s question.
I knew Brad was planning to acquire the Blair family, to eliminate any threat to me once and for all. And I was determined to return to
the Blair family, to enter their sanctuary and obtain the antidote for Susan.
Neither of us told the other about our plans.
The next morning, Brad left for Africa with his assistants. I waited until his plane was airborne before calling Eleanor Blair.
“I’ve made my decision,” I told her. “I’m ready.”
By afternoon, I was on a flight to Moon Lake City.
When I descended the escalator at Moon Lake City airport, I was surprised to see Raymond Carter waiting for me.
Raymond stepped forward and took my hand, helping me down the remaining steps. I stiffened instinctively and tried to pull away, but
his grip was firm.
“Don’t be nervous. I won’t pressure you about anything until you’ve completely resolved your previous… complications.” he said gently,
seeming not to notice my resistance.
I looked away quickly, biting my lower lip. “Do you really want to marry me? Doesn’t it feel like you’re getting a raw deal? I’m pregnant
with another man’s child…”
Raymond interrupted me with a soft smile. “Not at all. I’m happy you’re coming back. And don’t think about those things right now. My offer stands–I won’t pressure you until you’ve settled everything from your past. I’ll wait right here for you, until you’re ready to stand
beside me willingly.”
I took a shaky breath. “I’m not Dakota… I might never love you.”
“I know,” he said simply. “I’ve told you before–I loved Dakota once, but the person I care about now is named Elle West.”
His blue eyes held mine with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. “Give me a chance, Elle. I’ll prove I’m not inferior to Brad Rayne. I can even do better than him. I don’t know if you believe in destiny, but I do. The moment I met you, I knew I’d found mine.”
“Stop,‘ I said, panic rising in my chest.
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“Okay.” he said immediately.
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In the luxury vehicle heading to the Blair estate, Raymond sat across from me, his blue eyes studying my face with an unreadable
expression.
“Are you sure you don’t need my help with what’s coming next?” he asked quietly.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
