Chapter 47: Keep your distance from Tessa.
Noah’s eyes widened when he saw the glass flying toward him. He ducked instinctively. The glass smashed against the wall behind him and shattered instantly. The shards were scattered on the floor.
A sharp fragment shot toward him and sliced across his forearm.
Shocked, Noah looked at the thin line of blood staining his shirt.
Catherine gasped. She immediately called the maid. "Maria. Bring the first aid box."
The maid rushed away and returned moments later.
Catherine immediately grabbed Noah’s arm and began treating the wound.
Richard remained stiff in his place. There was no warmth in his eyes. Only disappointment and anger.
"I won’t say this twice," he muttered. "Send her away, or I’ll take action against her."
"No, you won’t," Noah reacted instantly. His voice was firm. "She is a heart patient. She needs constant care."
"So what?" Richard exploded, eyes dark. "Arrange the best hospital for her. Hire the best doctor. Why must she stay by your side? Remember one thing."
His voice became increasingly stern. "Elena is your wife, not Tessa. Keep your distance from Tessa if you don’t want trouble."
Noah had heard enough. He stood up. "I’ll talk to Elena. She will understand."
He strode toward the door.
"Stop right there," Richard shouted, springing to his feet.
Noah’s steps came to a halt, his back stiff.
"I’m not done yet," Richard said. "I want your word that Tessa will be gone by tomorrow. If you won’t do it, I will."
At that, Noah lost his patience. He turned around. "I told you I would handle this matter myself. I don’t need your interference."
"Noah..."
"Tessa is not going anywhere," Noah said decisively. "Her treatment will continue here. Once she recovers, I’ll send her abroad."
A storm of anger gathered within Richard. His gaze sharpened into something cold and lethal.
"You... You..." His chest heaved violently. "You foolish brat. You will regret it."
He held up a finger, his whole body trembling in fury.
"Richard, get a grip," Catherine said, fearing he would get sick. "Don’t get so angry. Have faith in Noah. He will handle this matter."
Richard turned his glare to her. "You spoiled him," he accused her. "He is like this because of you."
Catherine squinted at him helplessly.
"Because of Tessa, the company is in a mess," Richard muttered. "Millions have been lost. Clients are losing confidence in us. But he won’t take any action—because he is repaying a favor."
Noah stood motionless. A muscle twitched in his jaw as his fists clenched.
"You ignored Elena," Richard went on, his voice growing sharper. "You let her walk out of the office. And now, she left the house. All because of that woman."
Every word landed like a hammer on Noah.
"You are even ready to ruin your marriage for Tessa. Is it worthy?"
He pressed a hand against his chest, his face contorting in pain. But the rage boiling inside him only intensified.
"If you continue like this, Elena will eventually grow tired of you. When that day comes, she will leave you. Are you willing to leave her because of Tessa?"
"She is not leaving me," Noah snapped back. "She will never. I’ll never let that happen."
He stormed out.
"This boy..." Richard pointed a trembling finger at the door.
The tightness in his chest intensified. Sweat formed across his forehead.
He sagged back onto the sofa, his features twisting.
"Richard," Catherine cried out in panic. "What is happening to you? Maria... Call the doctor."
Outside the house...
Noah slammed his fist against the steering wheel. His face grew taut in suppressed fury.
He took out his phone and called his assistant. The call was connected in just a few rings.
"Listen up. I want details about the man who was with Elena at the auction," Noah hissed. "I want the report on my desk tomorrow morning. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
As the call ended, Noah shoved the phone back into his pocket.
"Elena," he muttered through his clenched teeth. "You are not leaving me. If anyone tries to take you away from me, they will pay the price."
The engine roared to life. The car shot forward.
Instead of going back to the hospital, he drove to Elena’s old house. He rushed over but froze the moment he saw the big lock on the door.
The sight made his chest tighten.
He held the lock and stared at it.
"She left the house. She actually left..." Frustration surged through him. He kicked the door in exasperation.
"Why, Elena?" he yelled, balling his fingers at his sides. "I treated you so well, gave you everything, yet you left me."
His eyes were bloodshot.
"Why? Because of that man?"
The thought ignited another wave of fury. He wanted to burn down the whole city.
"Elena, you can never escape me," he vowed.
Across the city...
Elena sat rigidly on the edge of the bed, staring at the opposite wall in a daze. She couldn’t stop thinking about Noah’s demand.
He wanted her to repay every penny the Sinclair family had spent on her and her aunt.
The memory felt like a knife twisting inside her chest.
She subconsciously tightened around the bedspread. She had never thought the relationship between them would turn so ugly.
She sobbed silently. "Dad, everything has fallen apart. I feel so lonely."
The last part reached Elias’s ears. His heart instantly ached. Even though she was married to him, she still had not considered him her family. He was with her, yet she felt lonely.
The realization disappointed him—not because of her, but because he felt he wasn’t doing enough to win her trust.
His legs moved toward her.
"Elena," he called out, his voice soft.
Elena quickly wiped away her tears. When she turned toward him, she had a smile on her face.
"You need something."
Elias looked her in the eyes. ’She is in so much pain. Yet she is trying to smile.’
He sat down beside her, taking her hands in his. "You know... There were times when I felt lonely, too. There was no one I could share my pain with."
A shadow crossed his eyes.
"Losing the people you love is one of the most painful things in the world." His voice grew softer. "I understand that feeling."
Elena held his gaze. She could see a storm of emotions brewing in his eyes. At that moment, he didn’t look like a confident man. But he seemed like a lonely man, carrying wounds that had never healed.
Curiosity tugged at her heart. She wanted to know what had caused him so much pain.
Elias lowered his head. When he spoke again, his voice was strained.
"I lost my parents when I was only ten. They were killed."
The pain in his chest rose to his throat.
"Right in front of my eyes."
Silence fell into the room for some time. Elena stared at him in a daze, her own heart aching.
"I couldn’t do anything to save them." His voice cracked.
