Chapter 24
‘Good,‘ she thought, He can’t afford to get worse. I need him to lock in my spot.
“Let him rest.” Yosef said, guiding her away. “We’ll talk in the study.”
They settled on the study’s leather couch, the housekeeper setting down some water,
“So,” Yosef said, leaning back, “what’s so important you had to come over this late?”
Elianna hesitated, twisting her hands. “Yosef, Adam’s five now, and we still haven’t made things official. What happens when he’s better and starts school? Kids will talk if he doesn’t have a mom.”
She looked at him, her voice soft but sharp. “Yosef, let’s get married.”
Yosef’s brow furrowed. “I’m still married to Skylar. I can’t marry you right now.”
Elianna bit her lip, her voice low. “I saw Skylar a few days ago.”
“She’s working as a doctor at Chestbee Hospital now,”
he added.
Yosef leaned forward, his tone sharp. “You saw her and
tell me?”
“I was so worried about Adam, it slipped my mind,” Elianna said, looking down.
“Yosef, if we talk to Skylar, explain things, she’ll get it,” she pushed. “Once you two divorce, we can get married.”
Her eyes lit up, remembering something. “Oh, and that agreement from five years ago… it’s still valid, right? All you have to do is sign, and the divorce is done.”
Ever since seeing Skylar, Elianna’s stomach had been in knots.
She was terrified Skylar’s return would wreck everything she’d spent years building.
To keep her hold, she had to tie down Yosef, and quick.
“I need more time to think about the divorce,” Yosef said, his tone firm. “You should go home.”
Elianna’s brow furrowed, frustration mixing with confusion. ‘Yosef clearly doesn’t care about Skylar, so why is he still stalling on signing the papers?”
Five years ago, he’d hesitated. Now, he was still dragging his feet.
“Yosef,” she said, tears pooling in her eyes, “I’m not doing this for me. I’m thinking of Adam.”
“Daddy, don’t listen to her!” Adam interrupted, his voice sharp despite the effort. “Don’t divorce Mommy. I don’t want her as my mom.”
He’d already had one episode tonight. Even though he was furious, he tried to stay calm, scared of setting off another.
His face was still pale, his lips colorless.
He shuffled to Yosef’s side, gripping his father’s hand tightly. “Daddy, please don’t divorce Mommy. Bring her back. Then I won’t be the kid without a
mom.”
“Adam, what are you talking about?” Elianna shrieked, her voice shrill. “I’m your mother! How dare you call that woman your mom?”
Adam glared at her, his voice cold and steady. “You’re not.”
Elianna had a way of making him sick just to get Yosef’s attention.
1/2
Chapter 24
Whenever she wanted to see his dad, she’d do something to trigger an episode, knowing Yosel would drop everything to rush fever
No mother would hurt her own kid like that. So Adam was sure she wasn’t his real mom.
And, she was sure the woman he’d seen that day–she was the real one.
“Adam, did she say something to you?” Elianna asked, tears streaming down her face. “Is that why you’re pushing me away?”
“I knew it,” she sobbed, her voice cracking. “All these years, she’s still holding a grudge.”
“She hates me for taking our parents‘ love, for needing her blood,” she continued, clutching her chest. “Now she’s trying to steal my son.
Her tearful act hit Yosef hard, softening his expression. “Elianna, maybe it’s a misunderstanding.”
Elianna sniffled, wiping her eyes. “I know I shouldn’t have come between you two, but I couldn’t let go. It’s my fault.”
“I’ll find her,” she said, her voice shaky. “I’ll apologize and beg her to give me back my son.”
She started to stand, but Yosef grabbed her arm. “I’ll handle it. Stay out of this.”
Elianna wiped her tears, her eyes wide with worry. “Yosef, please don’t get involved. I’m scared she’ll turn her anger on you and do something terrible.”
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