Chapter 2 Always Alone
This was the first time in three years that Elaine looked directly at him, but after just a moment, she quickly averted her gaze.
Her eyes, as clear and dark as ever, no longer held the love they once did. Instead, they were calm and indifferent.
In that instant, his heart felt empty, and his gaze dimmed.
“Elaine, Mom and Dad went to Orevine to pick up Grandpa, so the house is empty. You should stay here for the next few days,” Stacy said, adopting the tone of a considerate older sister. “I can take care of you here at the Decker family home. You’ve been through so much on your own these past years.”
Even though Stacy knew about the past between Elaine and Cordell, she still invited her to stay at the Decker family house. If it weren’t for Stacy’s constant love and care, Elaine might have thought she was trying to make things awkward on purpose.
Though Stacy had an excellent reputation in high society–beautiful, graceful, and kind–inviting her husband’s ex–girlfriend to stay in their home seemed a little too generous, even for her.
Despite being her sister, wouldn’t any woman, in the name of protecting her marriage, be more cautious and guarded?
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A faint, cold smile tugged at the corner of Elaine’s lips. “I’ve been alone in Drego all these years too.”
She had learned to survive in that strange, foreign place. Independence was something she had mastered. Besides, the Valentine family house was still home, and there were servants here.
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Stacy looked at Elaine’s thin face with concern. “It’s been three years since we’ve seen each other. Don’t you want to catch up?”
“We’ll have plenty of time for that,” Elaine replied. Given the awkwardness between her and Cordell, there was really no reason to stay under the same roof. “Stacy, please arrange for a driver to take me back to the Valentine family home.”
Cordell put down his coffee, grabbed his coat, and started to head upstairs. After taking a few steps, he paused. “It’s getting late. If you’re leaving, maybe it’s better to wait until tomorrow.”
Elaine glanced at the clock in the living room–it wasn’t even 10:30 PM yet, hardly late. But seeing the look of expectation in Stacy’s eyes, she hesitated for a moment before replying, “Alright, I’ll stay. Sorry for the trouble.”
As she spoke, Cordell, who had been halfway up the stairs, froze. Her polite, distant tone felt like a sharp knife, suddenly and painfully
stabbing into his heart.
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Having just returned to the country, Elaine was still adjusting to the time difference. She spent the whole night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. When dawn finally broke, she managed to doze off for a short while.
She decided to head back to the Valentine family home that day. After waking up, she packed the clothes she’d worn the previous night, tidied up, and then headed downstairs.
In the living room, Cordell sat at the dining table in casual loungewear, reading the newspaper. A cup of milk and an untouched sandwich sat in front of him.
He looked up briefly, his expression serious as he read. When he heard her footsteps coming downstairs, he glanced over and called out, “Janine.” The maid immediately set out her breakfast on the table.
Elaine walked over and sat down across from him, greeting him casually, “Good morning.”
Cordell paused for a moment, then replied, “Good morning.”
She found it strange. It was almost 8 AM–why was he still sitting here reading the newspaper? Wasn’t he supposed to be going to work?
Her breakfast was the same as his: a sandwich, a cup of milk, and toast.
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She took a few bites of the sandwich, finished her milk, and then set down her napkin.
“Breakfast is important. You’re eating too little,” Cordell said, closing the newspaper. Her small appetite was honestly surprising.
