Another video recording? Elliana frowned, baffled by his obsession with recording everything. Grabbing the phone, she hit play.
The video showed Cole focused on driving while she dozed against the car window. Then, out of nowhere, she mumbled, “Come here, darling, give me a kiss and a hug…”
Elliana stared at the screen, stunned into silence. She wanted to explain she was dreaming of her cat, not Cole. But there was no way he’d believe her, so why bother? She could only grit her teeth. Honestly, losing her first kiss like this was what she brought on herself. Still, the more she stewed, the madder she got. Who knew one tiny drink from yesterday would hit her so hard? Even a nap turned into a trainwreck. She shoved the phone back at him and climbed out of the car.
Cole watched her slender figure walk away, his throat tightening. How could her lips be that soft, that sweet?
Despite the awkwardness, Elliana forced herself to turn and wave. “Thanks for the lift. Catch you later.”
Quick as a flash, Cole reached through the open window, snagged her phone, tapped a few things, and handed it back. His voice was low and smooth. “Call me if you need me.”
Elliana glanced at her screen. His number was saved, and he was now her contact on the social platform.
“I’ll swing by to pick you up later.” With that, he sped down the road.
Elliana pocketed her phone and headed toward the Jones family house. Upstairs, Paige had been glued to the window, watching the whole scene, a storm brewing in her chest. She had stayed up all night, hoping for the news that Elliana had been murdered and Cole had become single again. But instead of a scandal, she saw Cole personally dropping Elliana off, the two of them looking way too chummy. As Cole’s car vanished, Paige’s eyes filled with tears, her nails digging into her palms. She couldn’t make sense of it. Why would Cole go along with this farce? Didn’t he care that Elliana was just average? If he really didn’t mind, then what was she supposed to do now? Panic set in, bubbling just beneath her skin. Paige stormed off in search of Kiara.
As Paige stomped into the living room, Elliana stepped through the front door. Paige’s face twisted in rage as she hissed, “Elliana, you two-faced snake. What sick game did you play to hook Cole?”
Elliana wasn’t here to trade insults. She had just come to collect her mother’s things. Thus, she chose to throw a quick jab at Paige. “Paige, you must have forgotten. I didn’t lift a finger, and then Cole became my husband. Believe me, I’d love to pull a few tricks, but I just didn’t get the chance…”
And with that, she breezed past Paige and started up the stairs. Still, she couldn’t resist twisting the knife. “Oh, and just so you know-Cole and I slept together last night. What can I say? That body, that strength, those skills… Paige, it’s a shame you’ll never get to experience that.” Elliana disappeared around the corner, leaving Paige seething behind her.
Upstairs, Elliana could still hear Paige’s unhinged scream echoing. Smiling, she stepped into the room where her mother’s belongings were kept. But the sight before her made her heart sink.
Rita, Elliana’s mother and a medical prodigy, had always been sensible, never one to cause drama. Even when she discovered Darin had an affair and even an illegitimate daughter, she had decided against confrontation, choosing instead to pour herself into researching medical treatments.
Then one night, a fire had torn through the Jones family home. Acting decisively, Rita had dragged Elliana to safety, whispered a few final words, and run back into the flames, never to return.
The world had written Rita off as dead, but Elliana didn’t buy it. She knew, deep in her soul, her mother was still out there somewhere. She was determined to find her mother. And she’d uncover the truth behind that fire, no matter how long it took.
Rita’s keepsakes were few-a photograph and a handful of treasured items.
Elliana gathered them with care. Nothing would be left behind.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Paige had found Kiara and burst into tears. “Mom, what do I do now?”
Kiara’s gaze darkened, like a brewing storm. “Be patient. Once we capture those compromising photos of Elliana and spread them online, let’s see how long the Evans family holds onto those absurd traditions.”
Paige blinked in shock. “What are you planning?”
“We’ll do this…” Kiara leaned in and whispered something into Paige’s ear. Paige’s eyes lit up. “Mom, get more guys involved. I want Elliana ruined. Utterly destroyed!”
Just then, Elliana walked back down the stairs. Kiara was quick to plaster on a warm, sugary smile and said, “Elliana, darling, I reserved a private room at the Royal Club. Let’s have a family dinner to celebrate your recent marriage.”
Elliana smiled sweetly, seemingly unaware of the trap being laid. “Sounds wonderful.”
In a tucked-away private room of the Royal Club, Cole lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, cool as a cucumber. Across from him, his three friends-Allan Shaw, Merlin Blakely, and Manley Swain-gawked at him, their minds buzzing with thoughts over his recent marriage to Elliana.
In Ublento, the Evans, Shaw, Blakely, and Swain families were the big names. Aside from being Cole’s tight-knit crew, Allan, Merlin, and Manley were the heirs to their respective legacies.
After watching Cole in silence for a bit, Manley’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Cole, you’ve been sitting there, not eating, not drinking, and not even sparking up a smoke. Don’t tell me that Elliana, that so-called plain Jane, has you in a depressive slump?”
Manley then let out a dramatic sigh. “You’re too straitlaced, man. All those family rules and traditions are weighing you down. If it were me, no way I’d sign up for that! If they tried to stick me with someone that plain, I’d rather have my head lopped off and tossed to my grandpa for a game of kickball!”
Allan lifted his glass, a sly grin tugging at his lips. “Cole, if you’re really feeling that down, we’ll drink with you until you forget your own name.”
Cole flicked his eyes toward them, his lazy glance screaming, “Why do you guys think I’m down in the dumps?”
Cole hadn’t touched food, drink, or cigarettes because he was still savoring the sweet memory of that kiss lingering on his lips. No way was he washing that away.
Unlike the mischievous Manley, Allan had a sleek, polished vibe. He sipped his drink slowly, his smile sharp. “Looks like we got worried for nothing.”
At that, Merlin leaned back on the sofa, eyes shut, stealing a quick catnap. Having retired from the international special forces, he had a frosty, intimidating aura. He wasn’t much for chit-chat, blunt as a sledgehammer, and frankly, not the life of the party.
Cole didn’t bother to explain anything. As he casually glanced over, his eyes caught Elliana strolling in, flanked by Kiara and Paige.
“Is Elliana really that naive?” Manley snorted. “Kiara and Paige were out for her blood yesterday, and now she followed them here? Isn’t she worried they’ll sell her down the river? What a dope!”
Manley flicked his cigarette away and stood. “Cole, like it or not, she’s your wife now. If she gets into trouble, it’s your name on the line. I’m going to grab her and bring her over.”
Cole shot him a calm look. “Sit down and mind your own business.”
Manley blinked. “What? You want Kiara and Paige to end Elliana and make you a widower?”
Allan’s calm voice cut in. “Cole’s not that guy. If he’s staying out of it, he’s got a plan. Let’s just kick back and see what happens.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.