Chapter 24

Alexander, waiting by the elevator, saw the whole thing. They looked like they were flirting.

“Glad Elizabeth found someone she likes,” Esme said with a smile.

Alexander’s eyes turned icy. He stepped into the elevator, clearly annoyed.

Esme noticed his mood. Alexander had been weird about anything related to Elizabeth since deciding to divorce her, making Esme uneasy. She needed to speed up their divorce and keep them apart.

“Hey Ms. Percy. I’m free tomorrow. Mind if I swing by with my dad?” Joseph poured Elizabeth some wine.

Elizabeth was about to say no when Joseph added, “C’mon, Ms. Percy, you saved my dad’s life. It’s only fair we visit. Plus, we’re kinda in this thing together.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “What thing?” she asked.

“A dating thing.” He raised an eyebrow, teasing her like, “Don’t overthink it.”

Elizabeth had to admit, Joseph had a sense of humor. “Fine, I’ve got time,” she nodded, giving in.

“Awesome!” Joseph’s mood lifted instantly.

Elizabeth glanced at him again, then shook her head. She thought, If someone like Joseph had shown up earlier, would I have still fallen for Alexander?

Dinner went smoothly, with easy conversation. Afterward, Joseph offered to take Elizabeth home, but she declined.

“I need to see a friend. You head back first, Mr. Stewart.”

At the hotel entrance, the breeze played with Elizabeth’s hair. Joseph knew she didn’t want to bother him, but he was worried about her being out late. “I’ll call a car for myself. My driver can take you to your friend,” he suggested.

Elizabeth glanced at Joseph and couldn’t help but think he was too much of a gentleman. “I’ll head back on my own. See you tomorrow,” she said with a smile.

Seeing her stubbornness, Joseph just nodded and let it go.

Elizabeth watched his car drive off and sighed. She stepped out of the hotel into the cool night air. With her bag slung over her shoulder, she walked down the pavement like a carefree kid.

She stopped in front of a high-end store. The clothes and jewelry in the window reminded her of high school. She’d had a fight with Declan, and in his anger, he froze her bank card. She’d been eyeing a limited-edition dress, but with no money and no help from her family, she couldn’t buy it.

When she passed by the store again, the dress was gone. Later, that dress ended up in her hands. Alexander had bought it for her. He said, “You deserve whatever you want.”

Feeling a warmth on her lips, Elizabeth wiped her face and realized she was crying. High school was when Alexander was the kindest to her. But now, he only glared at her and used the harshest words to hurt her. There was no going back.