Chapter 8
“Hey,” Eliana caught the vibe in Irene’s eyes immediately, “are you hiding something from me?”
Irene froze for a second, then gave in. “Nathan’s back. Did you know?”
“Yeah, Eliana nodded.
youshera
Nathan Turner was Eliana’s ex from ten years ago. His status these days wasn’t exactly low–profile. He’d been planning to return to the country, and news about it was everywhere. It was too easy to hear about him.
“Think about it.” Irene added. “He’s been abroad all these years, doing fine, and now suddenly he’s back. Doesn’t that feel… a little too convenient? If the rumors are true, that he’s back for someone, then he must be coming for you.”
Eliana almost laughed. She raised a hand to Irene’s forehead. “No fever, huh? Why are you talking nonsense? That was ten freaking years ago! How much free time does a guy have to hold a grudge for ten years?”
Irene finally exhaled a shaky breath. “Hope I’m just overthinking it. Otherwise, you’re seriously screwed. Your love life’s a disaster. Two relationships, neither of them worth spending time on.”
“Exactly,” Eliana sniffed. Nathan’s name suddenly felt like some far–off ghost, distant and untouchable. Still, just thinking about him made her chest tighten.
But Eliana remembered that in her last life, she hadn’t heard a peep about him returning. She was surprised he’d suddenly come back.
Having just broken free from the cage of marriage, she wasn’t about to make things harder for herself. That little twinge of unease got shoved aside fast.
****
Meanwhile, after following Logan out, Isabella trailed alongside him to the car. Samuel begged her to stay with him. Isabella’s heart skipped, but she plastered on a worried look.
“Logan, you sure this is okay?” she asked. “Won’t Ms. Lyons make a bigger scene if she finds out?”
“I don’t care what she does,” Logan said flatly. “If Samuel wants you with him, just stay close whenever you’re free.”
“This is amazing. Mom not being around is the best!” Samuel cheered, then turned to Isabella. “If Mom doesn’t come back, can you stay at our house and keep me company?”
Isabella glanced at Logan, who showed no reaction at all. She quickly nodded to Samuel, then shushed him with a finger to her lips.
“I know,” Samuel nodded. “It’s our secret.”
He remembered what Isabella had told him. If he wanted her to be his mom, he had to obey and never show it to outsiders. Otherwise, Eliana would swoop back in and ruin everything.
The car rolled back to the Eliot Mansion. Once inside, Isabella turned to Samuel and spoke up, “Samuel, I hear your homework’s piling up. Why don’t you tackle it first? We can play games when you’re done.”
Samuel’s preschool wasn’t your average daycare. It was the Summit Preschool under the Eliot Group’s name. Only kids from the top families attended, aside from the Eliots.
Every kid there was under heavy pressure to succeed, and that was why Samuel was already doing homework at such a
1/2
22 am
Chapter 8
young age.
With that. Isabella called for Sophie to take Samuel upstairs.
5 vouchers
Sophie wasn’t thrilled to be bossed by an outsider, but Logan stayed silent, so she followed orders. She suspected Isabella’s concern was just a way to stay alone with Logan.
She knew that ever since Isabella got back to the country, it’d been nonstop. She was always popping up with some excuse to track Logan down.
And honestly, it was a two–way street. Isabella was a grown adult. If she couldn’t handle her own mess, Logan shouldn’t have to step in every single time.
Sophie sighed. She believed they were banking on Eliana’s famously soft spot. Even the divorce wasn’t even final, Isabella had already barged in like she owned the place.
Sophie hated it, but Logan bought into Isabella’s act, and Sophie, just a servant, had zero leverage. Still, if Eliana actually went through with the divorce and Logan really married Isabella, she knew that was game over for all the servants.
Once upstairs, Isabella, like a proper hostess, poured two cups of Sophie’s coffee, handing one to Logan.
“Logan, I never thought we’d have a chance to sit down and talk like this,” she said softly, eyes glistening. “I’ve always wanted to explain the past, but never had the chance. Please, let me finish today.”
Without waiting for his response, she lifted her sleeve, revealing a few scratches. “I was depressed back then, and I didn’t know if I’d even recover. I ran abroad alone, and I only broke up with you to not be a burden.”
She leaned toward Logan, sobbing. “I didn’t know you had your own accident back then. If I had, I wouldn’t have picked that moment to leave…”
But then, Samuel’s voice rang out, “Isabella, can you help me with my homework?”
Isabella’s eyes flickered with annoyance, but she quickly masked it. “What’s up, Samuel?”
“My homework is too difficult. I don’t get it,” Samuel called out. “Sophie can’t help either, and Mom won’t come back. She used to help me with my homework.”
‘Of course, I’ll help,” Isabella said with a forced smile.
It was just homework for preschool kids, thought Isabella. She could definitely help Samuel out, and win a place in Logan’s heart. She was determined to let everyone know that the Eliot family would be even better without Eliana.
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.
