Chapter 40: Come back and resume your position.
Noah reached out and picked up his phone from the desk, dialing Elena.
After a long ring, the phone was finally answered.
"Hello?"
"Elena. I need you back at the office. Come here right now."
"No," came a flat answer. "I am busy."
"Busy?" he scoffed. "You don’t have a job. What could keep you occupied? Come back and resume your position. I’ll increase your salary."
Elena almost laughed at his arrogance.
"Are you serious now?" she snapped. "I already resigned because I didn’t want to work there anymore. I didn’t want to see you and Tessa every day."
"Elena," he roared. "I’m giving you a chance to come back. Why are you still acting arrogantly? You know you can’t survive out there for long without me. Come back, and I’ll pretend nothing happened."
Elena rolled her eyes in irritation.
He was still as self-centered as ever.
"Why do you think I’ll crawl back to you just because you called me? I already found a new job. And I’m satisfied with the company and my role here. Stop bothering me."
"You found a new job," he repeated with disbelief.
The next moment, his face darkened, replacing the earlier shock. He thought she was lying to get him. He still remembered Elena saying that she was tired of working and that she wanted to rest.
Why would she go find another job all of a sudden?
Certainly, she was lying.
His patience started to snap.
"That’s enough, Elena. Stop making excuses. Come back, and I’ll make it up to you."
Elena snorted. "How?" she asked. "By offering me a job? By increasing my salary?"
Noah fell silent.
"Do you think that was enough to compensate for what I already lost?"
"Elena, please don’t be mad at him," came Tessa’s voice through the speaker. "He really missed you. And he needs you here. Please come back."
The moment Elena heard her voice, she lost her temper. "The one he needs is you, not me. Stop calling me. I’m not coming back."
She ended the call without waiting for their response.
Noah’s grip tightened around the phone. His features twisted. His lips trembled. The next moment, he hurled the phone down.
"Uh..." Tessa gasped and covered her mouth instantly.
She looked up to see his fists clenching tight at his sides, his muscles bulging under his shirt. She was terrified.
"Don’t be angry," she managed, mustering her courage. "She is definitely saying all this to get you. I saw her buying gifts for you. She will never leave you. She can’t."
She approached him carefully and held his hand.
Noah was still trembling. "Calm down first. She will come back."
Noah took a deep breath. He believed, or at least, he convinced himself that Elena was saying all this just to make him chase her after.
How could she not come back to him? Where could she go? Who would help her with her aunt’s treatment?
Once she calmed down, she would eventually crawl back to him and beg him to take her back.
He nodded slowly. "Yes, I know she will come back."
But inwardly, he was seething.
’You stretched this matter long enough, Elena. I won’t forgive you easily.’
Tessa leaned into him. "I’ll help you recover the losses. Trust me. Give me some time. I’ll definitely sign a deal with a bigger client, bigger than Zenith Core."
Noah wrapped his arms around her. "I trust you. But don’t stress yourself. Remember, you are carrying a little life inside you."
Tessa grinned sweetly. "I’ll keep our baby safe."
Then her smile turned sly. ’See, Elena. He loved me more than you can ever imagine. He cares about my child, but he killed yours. I wonder how you will react after knowing the truth.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday arrived.
Elias took Elena out.
Elena looked out at the rapidly changing scenery. As the car continued down the road, her curiosity grew stronger. "Where are we going?" she asked, turning toward him.
"You will find out soon," he said, keeping his eyes firmly on the road.
The faint smile in the corners of his lips made her even more curious. She wondered what he was hiding.
After some time, the car finally came to a stop. As she stepped out, she was almost surprised.
"An auction house?" she mumbled, staring at the magnificent building ahead. "Why did you bring me here?"
Elias came over, buttoning up his suit jacket. His fingers adjusted the deep red tie around his neck.
It was the same tie Elena had bought for him. The rich color complemented his white shirt perfectly, making him look even more refined and attractive.
"Of course, we are here to attend an auction." He smiled. "You like antique pieces, don’t you?"
Elena looked at him with surprise.
Yes, she liked collecting antique pieces. Back when she was with Noah, she had decorated his house with antique showpieces she had gathered from different places. But she didn’t remember ever mentioning that hobby to Elias.
"How did you know?" she asked.
"I observed," he replied. "That candlestand, those table lamps, and the photo frame—they told me everything."
Elena lowered her head slightly, unable to stop the smile from appearing on her lips. "You noticed."
"You are my wife," Elias said. "And I want to know everything about you."
At that, she looked up. Their eyes met.
His gaze was deep and unwavering, carrying a warmth that seemed to radiate toward her. There was no teasing in his eyes this time, only sincerity and possessiveness that made her heart tremble.
For a brief moment, it felt as though she was the only person in his world.
Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. She wanted to look away, but somehow, she couldn’t.
His gaze held her captive.
The longer she looked at him, the more flustered she became.
His phone rang, breaking the spell between them.
Elias glanced at the screen, and his expression changed slightly.
"I need to take this call." He stepped away to answer the call.
Elena remained standing there, trying desperately to calm herself. Her cheeks were burning.
’What is happening to me?’ she thought. ’Why is my heart beating so fast?’
She placed a hand on her chest.
Elias returned to her. "I have something important to handle," he said guiltily. "Go inside first. I’ll join you in a while."
Elena wanted to ask if everything was okay. But before she could utter a word, he spoke as if he seemed to read her thoughts.
"It won’t take long. Go enjoy the auction. You can buy anything you like."
Elena swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. She smiled. "Okay. Go take care of your business. I’ll wait for you."
Elias returned her smile before turning and walking away.
Elena sighed and entered the auction house.
Several digital screens were mounted in the hallway, displaying the items scheduled for auction that afternoon.
There were rare paintings, antique jewelry, sculptures, and priceless collectibles from around the world.
Some guests gathered around the displays, discussing the items and estimated bidding values in low voices.
Elena walked through the hallway, checking the displays.
She stopped in front of a screen that was showcasing an emerald green necklace. It looked elegant, timeless, and breathtakingly beautiful.
According to the information on the screen, the necklace had once belonged to a noblewoman from a powerful family in Europe. But it had disappeared during a period of political unrest two centuries ago. It had only recently resurfaced through a private collector.
Elena was drawn to it. But then she smiled, shaking her head slightly. "I don’t need it," she whispered.
"Elena." A voice from behind startled her.
She turned. The moment she saw Tessa, her face turned cold.