Chapter 18
20 vouchers
The receptionist at Elot Group recognized her instantly. “Mrs. Eliot,” the young woman said with practiced politeness, though her eyes held no real warmth. Do you have an appointment with Mr. Eliot?”
The question was its own kind of humiliation. The entire company knew she was Logan’s wife, yet they also knew she held no special status here. Even to see her own husband, she needed an appointment.
A familiar tightness settled in Eliana’s chest, but she pushed it down. Pride was a luxury she couldn’t afford right now. “No, I don’t. But it’s urgent. Could you please let him know I’m here?”
The receptionist made a brief call, then offered a bland smile. “Mr. Eliot is in a meeting. He’s asked that you wait in the reception area. This way, please.”
It was the expected answer. Eliana felt little disappointment, only a steely resolve. Her goal was singular: get the land back. If she had to wait, so be it.
But the wait stretched into one hour, then two. A familiar pattern. In the past, when Logan wanted to avoid her, he’d leave her cooling her heels just like this, later brushing it off with a casual, “I forgot.”
Before, she’d endured it, her love making her patient. Now, patience was a dwindling resource. She needed that land, and she needed it now. Finally, she rose and headed for the conference rooms.
She knocked once and pushed the door open. Logan was indeed in a meeting. And the man sitting across from him, turning now with a look of mild, predatory interest, was Nathan.
Seeing him–truly seeing him, with the eyes of two lifetimes–sent a violent jolt through her system. Her instincts screamed to flee.
“Ms Lyons, Nathan’s smooth voice cut through the stunned silence. “You’ve come all this way. It must be important. Leaving without a word seems rash.”
“My business with Mr. Eliot isn’t pressing. Please, don’t let me interrupt. He added.
Logan’s face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. He took a sharp breath, his displeasure directed solely at her “Eliana. What did I say about coming to the office for trivial matters?”
Any desire to avoid a scene in front of Nathan evaporated. His condescension lit a fuse. “It’s not trivial, Mr. Eliot,” she shot back, her voice cool.
“I called You didn’t answer. Coming here seemed the logical next step. Besides, this is business. Perfectly appropriate.
“I want the Westridge land transferred back to Lyons Group, as per the divorce agreement you signed. I need you to start the process. Now
As she spoke, Nathan’s amusement visibly deepened, his gaze flicking between them with undisguised relish. “Would you like me to give you two a moment?”
Logan’s fists clenched at his sides. With a terse, “Excuse me,” to Nathan, he grabbed Eliana’s wrist and hauled her out of the
conference room.
The moment the door closed. Nathan’s smirk vanished. So, he thought, his mind already recalculating. Cooperation with Eliot Group requires further review.
In the hallway, Logan dropped her arm as if burned. He stared at her, a blocking sensation in his own chest making it hard to breathe.
2:24 am P
Chapter 18
20 vouchers
“What is this, Eliana? What game are you playing now? Do you want me to beg? To get on my knees and ask you to come home? Is this what our marriage has been reduced to?”
His words finally broke through her composure, leaving behind only a bone–deep weariness. He still didn’t get it. He still thought this was a game, a tantrum. He had never, not once, truly listened.
“You’re imagining things, Logan,” she said, her voice flat. “I don’t want you to beg. I want the land. That’s it.”
“Six years of marriage, and I never asked you for a thing. Now that we’re divorcing, I want nothing from the Eliots. But that land belonged to my parents. I will take it back.”
“Logan, don’t tell me you intend to keep it. Even in the old days, a man clinging to his wife’s dowry was considered pathetic. Surely the great Mr. Eliot has more dignity than that.”
His expression darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes. Then, a low, humorless laugh escaped him. “Fine. Eliana. You’re certain? All you want is that land?”
His tone shifted, laced with a threat she knew all too well. Years of reading his moods had made it second nature.
Before, that note would have sent her into a rattled spiral, eager to placate him. Now, she met it with deliberate indifference. “Yes. I’d appreciate it if you’d sign the paperwork and expedite the transfer.”
“Fine.” The word was sharp, final. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” When he’d signed the divorce papers, he hadn’t given it a second thought.
‘She could never really leave. This was just another maneuver. But even now, I wasn’t worried. He thought.
That land project was a monster, far beyond what the crippled Lyons Group could handle. Handing it over was like giving them a lit grenade. She was too naive to see the danger.
In fact, this solved his problem. Once she was drowning in that project’s complications, she’d come running back to him for help. The thought actually soothed his irritation.
His mood lifting slightly, he looked at her with a semblance of calm. “I’m busy now. I’ll contact you when I’m free to handle the transfer.”
“Good. I’ll hold you to that.” Seeing no point in arguing further, Eliana turned to leave. The less time spent near Nathan Turner, the better.
But fate had other plans. A quick stop at the restroom to splash water on her face was all it took. She looked up into the mirror and met Nathan’s reflected gaze, standing right behind her.
Startled, she turned off the tap and moved to leave. He was faster. His hand closed around her arm, pulling her firmly into a nearby single–occupancy restroom before she could react.
“Nathan!” she hissed her heart pounding. “Have you lost your mind?” She kent her voice low furious
2/2
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.
