Chapter 81
*Celebratory banquets and dinner party, Letitia, your life sure got better since Vidonia joined the company.”
She was always leaving all alone to endure the endless nights. Oddly enough, solitude now seemed to echo with loneliness for
him.
Letitia was about to reply when something struck her, “I remember Mr. Stewart said you got hurt. Where’s the wound?”
You actually bought that?”
“Are you guys messing with me? Letitia frowned, “And here I was, actually worried about you for a second.”
Eigin stepped closer, cornering her, “Hearing I was hurt, and you just worried ‘for a second”? Don’t you have other reactions?”
Letitia began to retreat step by step. I you…. you… Eventually, she was backed against the wall.
Elgin raised his hand, resting it near her ear, “What if I really was hurt? Would you still be so indifferent?”
His breath fanned her face.
Letitia turned her head away, “Elgin, there’s a line of people caring about you stretching all the way to the suburbs. One more or one less doesn’t make a difference.”
“But you’re my wife!”
“The one you want to marry is Shela, it’s never been me.”
He pinched her chin, “For now, at least, it’s you. You should care!”
Letitia just found him inexplicably absurd.
“If you want care, go find Shela. She’s delicate, coquettish, pampering you, always pleasing you isn’t she way better than me?”
“Yes,” Elgin answered, “Letitia, any woman is better than you! Any woman is more considerate!”
They all just want to cozy up to him, get close to him, win his favor. Only Letitia, never obeyed him!
Letitia looked into his eyes, saying in a calm tone, “I came home late. Are you sure you want to pick a fight over something so trivial?
Living every day under Elgin’s scrutiny was exhausting enough for her. And there were always those who wanted to harm her, give her a hard time, add to her troubles…
Whether it’s Phedra or Shela, they were all scheming to do her in!
“…I don’t want to argue. Elgin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed attempting to hold back his turmoil of emotions. Samson’s test had struck his heart – Letitia truly didn’t give a damn… much less have any love for him.
The moment he saw she wasn’t at the company, he checked the surveillance, searched everywhere, and when he learned Phedra had taken her to the hospital, he rushed there without a second thought, fearing something might happen to her.
And her? She hated him, wished him dead!
“Then get some rest, it’s getting late, Letitia said. I’m going to take a shower.
She made to leave but Elgin forcefully pulled her back. His eyes darker than the night sky, “Letitia, let’s make a deal.”
“…A deal?” Unease crept in, and she refused, “I don’t want to.”
“You’ll make it whether you want to or not!” Elgin’s last bit of patience had run out completely
He enunciated each word, his expression resolute and fierce, “Whatever you want, I can give it to you. You want your father freed, it’s doable. You want your mother to have the special medicine, also doable. In short, I can satisfy any of your demands.”
Eigin was acting different tonight. Letitia noticed, but couldn’t fathom his thoughts.
He had always loathed the Sanders family, and now he was loosening his grip, offering to release someone!
Letitia wasn’t a fool, she immediately asked, “What do you want from me in exchange?”
Since it’s a deal, she’d obviously have to trade something!
What precious thing could she possibly have that would make Elgin offer her father or her mother in return! Letitia had an inkling, but she dared not continue the thought.
All she heard was Elgin’s lips parting, ‘Abort the baby, and I’ll free your father or save your mother. Letitia, a life for a life
Just as she suspected!
The only thing she had that Eigin would make such a tempting offer for was her baby!
“No, don’t..” Letitia shook her head, “Such a deal is too cruel!”
Elgin asked harshly, “For you and Walden’s child, would you abandon your parents?”
“The child isn’t Walden’s!”
Then whose is it? Who’s the father!”
Letitia murmured, “I don’t know who he is… If I did, I’d have gone to him a long time ago.”
“Fine, I believe your Elgin gripped her shoulders, “So tell me, if you don’t even know who the father is, why cling so desperately to the child! Just get rid of it!”
“Elgin, it’s a life.”
“You just want a child, right?” he looked at her. Then abort it, we can have another!”
Letitia froze, wide-eyed. What was he saying? A child with her?
“You… you want to have a child with me?” she asked softly, “Elgin, do you even know what you’re saying?”
“I know, Letitia, will you agree or not! Veins throbbed on Elgin’s forehead.
He was teetering on the edge of losing control. Because he was becoming increasingly aware that Letitia in his world was not just the enemy’s daughter, nor just a mere pawn.
He wanted her to stay, by his side, for life, no matter what!
“I’m only asking once, and this offer only stands tonight, Elgin looked straight into her eyes, as if peering into her soul, “Letitia, think carefully and make your choice!”
“So if I abort this child, I can have anything I want from you, right?”
“Yes! This chance is only now, don’t wait too long!”
Her hesitation, her doubt, would bring him to his senses. Elgin was indulging his feelings, unwilling to be too rational. Perhaps, love itself defied all reason.
He strode to the window, lit up a cigarette, and smoked fiercely, puffing out clouds of smoke.
Letitia stood still, her mind in complete disarray.
Elgin had suddenly laid out these terms… what was he really after?
She hadn’t expected him to be so bothered by the existence of the child.
“When this cigarette it’s done, I want your answer,” Elgin said, “I don’t have the patience to wait.”
“…” Letitia attempted to say something more, but Elgin cut her off, “Just tell me, yes or no. Letitia, this choice will affect the rest of your life”
Letitia lowered her gaze, “Are you pushing me again… do you want me to jump into the lake once more?”
“Look, it’s a deal. What you lose, I can make it up to you, maybe even more!”
Smoke swirled around.
Elgin’s fingertips held a cigarette, its ember flickering, burning down slowly
Finally, Letitia took a deep breath.
“I get it. Me, barely keeping my own head above water, trying to protect a kid too-it’s tough. I was biting off more than I could chew, but that’s my responsibility as a mother. Elgin… I want this kid, I want to bring him into this world.”
