Chapter 5

Elizabeth noticed Alexander had been silent for a while and looked up, only to find him staring at her absentmindedly.

Her eyes lingered on his face for a moment, and then out of the corner of her gaze, she spotted the back of his other hand—wounded, with no bandage, fresh blood still seeping.

"Alexander, what happened to your hand?"

Her sudden voice snapped him back to reality. He quickly tucked his injured hand behind him.

Jordan stepped out and said earnestly, "Ma'am, please talk to Mr. Blake. He's refusing to get it treated."

Elizabeth frowned slightly and looked up at him, "He's not a toddler. Acting like this? Really? You got hurt, you clean it and wrap it up."

Without hesitation, she reached out and gently pulled him down to sit.

Jordan, understanding the vibe, set the first-aid kit on the coffee table without a word.

Alexander didn't resist at all, letting Elizabeth treat his wound.

Watching her seriously clean the wound with a cotton swab and blowing gently on it, Alexander found himself momentarily caught in the moment.

Was she just faking it when she said she wouldn't run again?

His mind wandered back to what had just happened. His voice came out cool, "So... I impressed you with my ‘technique,' huh?"

Elizabeth froze mid-motion, looking a bit flustered. She had only wanted to mess with Victoria, how could she have known Alexander was home?

That came back to bite her faster than she expected.

"I said that on purpose to annoy her. She's been eyeing my man for a while."

Truth be told, she barely remembered anything about that technique. After all, since marrying him, they hadn't even shared a bed.

Surprisingly, her words actually seemed to put Alexander in a good mood. Out of her sight, the corners of his mouth twitched upward slightly. He didn't continue the topic, just calmly said, "Stay away from her."

Elizabeth gave a small nod and quickly finished bandaging him up.

"Honey, I figured it out. That time I ran—it was all planned by her. After I ran, I found out some things. Turns out she was playing me the whole time. I seriously regret it. I mean, my husband's got looks and money, and I just ignored it. Was I blind or what?"

Alexander felt a subtle sting in his chest.

She called him "honey" again.

He vaguely remembered her calling him that during one of his episodes... so it wasn't just in his head.

But didn't she used to hate his guts? Why would she call him that?

Elizabeth noticed his silence and figured he still didn't believe her. She tried again, "Honey, please trust me. I really know I messed up. I'm ready to turn over a new leaf. Just give me one more chance, okay?"

Alexander responded with a low hum.

After a short pause, Elizabeth looked at him, hesitating. "Honey, can I ask you something?"

Alexander's brows furrowed a little. "What is it?"

"I want to go back to school starting tomorrow. Can I cut my leave short?"

"No." Alexander didn't even let her finish before shutting it down.

"Honey, I know we're supposed to have two months off after the wedding, but I want to get a head start on finishing my classes."

His expression darkened, and he stood abruptly, heading toward the stairs.

"Honey." Elizabeth clung to his shirt, her eyes full of pleading.

"Anything else, I'm fine with," Alexander said without turning back.

"I promise I'll come home every night. I won't disappear on you again."

As she spoke, she even raised her hand like she was taking an oath.

Alexander's lips pressed into a line as he stared at her for a long moment before replying, slowly and clearly, "It doesn't matter what you say. That's not happening."

After saying that, he walked straight out of Sunbath Garden without giving Elizabeth any chance to respond.

Elizabeth just stood there, staring blankly toward the entrance. She couldn't snap out of it.

He still didn't believe her.

Last lifetime, she'd sent Alexander to the hospital, and things between her and the Blakes completely fell apart.

But this time around, none of that had happened yet. She still had a chance to fix things.

"Jordan, where's my phone?"

Hearing her, the butler's expression shifted slightly. "Madam, I'll give Mr. Blake a call first."

"Okay. If he agrees, bring it up to my room. Oh, and ask him to pick up some furniture. I want to redecorate our room."

Jordan was still in a daze even after Elizabeth disappeared around the upstairs landing.

A maid next to him couldn't hold back. "Jordan, is Madam changing for real, or is she planning another getaway?"

"Yeah, she's always been dramatic. Why the sudden shift? Buying furniture, even?"

"..."

Jordan snapped out of it, glanced up the stairs, and smiled.

He quickly pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Alexander.

Whatever Alexander said on the other end made Jordan's smile grow wider. He kept nodding. "Yes, sir. I'll keep an eye on her."

He ended the call and brought Elizabeth's phone upstairs.

Knocking on the door and hearing her response, he pushed it open.

"Madam, your phone. Mr. Blake said as long as you don't try to run again, you're free to walk around, but only inside the estate."

Elizabeth was sitting on the windowsill, staring down at the garden when he entered. She turned her head slowly, her gaze calm, "Jordan, I was immature before. That won't happen again.

"Oh, and Jordan, how did Alexander hurt his hand?"

Jordan froze for a moment, hesitated, then said, "Master was too hard on himself after the poisoning episode... He blamed himself for hurting you. He did that to punish himself."

Elizabeth looked completely stunned. It took her a while to process it.

"You're saying... he did that to himself?"

Jordan nodded. "Yes, Madam. Mr. Blake cares about you, truly. I don't know why he insisted on marrying you or came all the way to Halden, but I've been with the Blakes for many years and never seen him care so much about anyone."

Elizabeth gave a firm nod. "Thanks, Jordan. I won't mess things up again."

She didn't even notice when Jordan left.

Elizabeth turned her phone back on, and notification sounds started going off.

She lowered her gaze to check the messages one by one.

Just as she was about to call Adam Harper, an unknown number popped up on the screen.

She accepted the call.

The moment she put the phone to her ear, a familiar voice came through: "Lizzy, I just landed. Can we talk?"

Her grip tightened on the phone. She took a deep breath before answering slowly, "Hannah, I'm at Sunbath Garden. Do you want me to send someone to pick you up?"

"No need. I'll be there in half an hour."

After the call ended, Elizabeth sat there for a long time, lost in thought.

She remembered Hannah as a gentle woman—someone she'd only seen once at the wedding but who had treated her kindly.

Last time, not only had she stabbed Alexander, but she had also shoved his mom, leaving her wheelchair-bound for life.

Now she couldn't help wondering, what was Hannah Blake coming for this time?