Chapter 588
“Sure. I appreciate your help.”
Yosef sighed, “It’s my duty, so don’t feel bad about it. You, on the other hand, are going the extra mil
for Elliot despite the late hour. He’s really fortunate to have you in his life.”
Sheena just smiled and glanced at the clock. It was already past midnight.
“Thanks for tonight. I have to go now. Please let me know as soon as possible if there are any developments with the antidote.”
“No problem.” Yosef nodded, watching her hurried departure.
Sheena rushed back to E&S Haven.
Suppressing her excited emotions, she stood at the doorstep, adjusting her slightly messy hair and attire. Then, she calmly turned the lock and opened the door.
The living room remained unlit, but she could feel the chilly aura in the pitch–black room.
Sheena flicked on the lights, instantly drawn to the figure sitting on the sofa.
It was already early morning, and the indoor temperature was low, yet Elliot was dressed in a thin
cotton robe.
Despite the freezing conditions, he seemed oblivious to the cold, sitting motionless like a statue, expressionless.
“I told you to go to bed early. Why are you sitting on the sofa waiting for me? And why didn’t you turn on the lights or wear warmer clothes?”
Sheena immediately grabbed a coral fleece pajama from the coat rack and helped him put it on.
Upon touching his body, she discovered he was cold all over.
Annoyed and concerned, Sheena covered his hands, blowing warm air on them and rubbing them to generate heat.
Elliot did not resist, just silently gazing at her.
His voice was hoarse and deep as he said, “I couldn’t sleep. I can’t help but worry until you’re home
safe.”
“Well, I’m back now. Let’s go upstairs and get some sleep.”
He remained still, only asking, “Where did you go tonight?”
Sheena had already prepared an excuse, “Howard wasn’t at home, and Phoebe had a bit too much to drink. I went to the Lawson estate to look after her, calmed her down, and came back.”
Elliot remained silent, his head lowered. His hands were hidden in his sleeves, clenched into fists
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with veins bulging on his arms.
Sensing something amiss in his demeanor, Sheena forcefully lifted his chin.
To her surprise, she found his eyes reddened with tears..
Elliot’s expression grew colder, pushing her hand away.
“You’re still trying to hide it from me. Did you meet Nathaniel tonight?”
Sheena was stunned.
“You already knew…”
With her confirmation, Elliot felt horrible, an overwhelming sadness like never before.
Tears blurred his vision, and intense grief tightened its grip on him.
For the first time, he shed a tear before Sheena.
Sheena’s eyes also welled up with tears.
Realizing he had misunderstood, she hurriedly explained, “I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I know these things can’t be kept from you. I just hadn’t figured out how to tell you yet.”
She had intended to wait until the antidote was confirmed safe, find a reason to sever ties with Nathaniel, and then share the good news of the antidote with Elliot.
She had not expected him to find out so soon.
“Eli, I…” Sheena reached out, wanting to wipe away his tears.
However, Elliot fiercely gripped her wrist, his fingers trembling in tension.
He was in so much pain, and his voice choked with emotion.
“Nana, I know my time is running out, and I never wanted to hold you back. Even if you choose to leave me and find someone else, I won’t stop you.
“I understand that after I’m gone, you’ll find a new man, have someone else to love and care for you. But why… Why did you have to choose Nathaniel?”
A pang of pain shot through Sheena’s chest.
So, this was what he had always believed, that he was a burden, clinging to their relationship with the mindset that he was living on borrowed time.
Sheena sighed softly, reaching out to touch him.
“Eh, let me explain…”
Elliot shook off her hand, turning away from her. He choked back tears, his shoulders trembling.
Finally, he mustered the courage to speak, “I know he’s your first love, and you share a past. If you…. still love him and insist on choosing him, I’ll step aside!”
Without looking back, he walked up the stairs with determined steps.
Sheena felt a mix of confusion and frustration, running after him.
“Elliot! What nonsense are you spouting?”
Elliot’s pace quickened, reaching the third floor swiftly. He slammed the door shut with a resounding thud, locking it.
Sheena arrived just in time, almost stubbing her foot as her head collided with the door.
Fuming, she stared at the firmly closed door.
“Elliot, have you lost your mind? How dare you lock me out? What tantrum are you throwing? Open the door! If you don’t want to hear my explanation, that’s your choice. Take a couple of days to calm down before talking to me.”
However, her words were met with silence.
Sheena gave up, turning away to return to her adjacent room.
Behind the closed door, Elliot finally sank to the floor with his back sliding against, the door, and he hugged his knees tightly in the darkness.
He did not turn on the lights, enveloping himself in the shadows.
Although he had avoided an episode of angina due to the medication, every part of him ached.
The air around him was eerily quiet, unsettlingly empty.
Leaning against the door, he listened intently to the stillness outside.
It seemed strangely quiet.
Had Sheena gone to sleep so quickly? Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Just as Elliot pondered, the room’s light flicked on with a sharp click.