Chapter 22: Divorce Caroline and Marry You
David’s words hung in the air like a heavy thunderclap, and for a moment, the room seemed to freeze. His promise to marry Elizabeth, to take responsibility for the night that had turned her life upside down, was a declaration of power, and in his eyes, it was the only way forward. He would keep his word, and if that meant divorcing Caroline and marrying Elizabeth, so be it.
Elizabeth felt an overwhelming wave of joy surge through her, but she kept her face composed, her eyes downcast, her demeanor still and pitiful. She had played her cards perfectly, and now it seemed all her efforts were about to pay off.
“No, Mr. David, how could I put you in such a position?” Elizabeth said, her voice trembling as she bit her lips, tears flowing freely from her eyes. Her act was flawless. Innocent, aggrieved, and vulnerable, the kind of woman a man like David would be moved by.
David looked at her, his eyes distant, remembering the night when she had begged him for mercy, her body bruised and fragile. He could still hear the quiet sobs, the silent plea for him to stop. His heart softened for a moment, but that moment passed quickly. He had already made his decision.
“I’ll divorce Caroline and marry you,” David declared, his voice steady, as if he had been certain of his choice from the beginning.
Caroline, in his eyes, had done nothing for him. She had gained the title of Mrs. Ellison without offering anything in return, without truly understanding the weight of the name she carried. But Elizabeth had sacrificed her body, her first night, all for him. She had been willing to submit, to bear the consequences of that night, and now, she deserved her reward.
The silence in the guest room was thick, and Elizabeth, her heart racing, could barely believe what she had heard. She raised her eyes to meet David’s, her voice barely a whisper. “Do you… really mean it, Mr. David?”
“Of course,” he answered, the finality in his tone confirming his commitment.
Elizabeth’s heart soared, but she didn’t show it. She tilted her head down, a small, secretive smile playing on her lips. To be promised marriage to David Ellison—no one could have expected this.
The Brooks parents exchanged glances, their faces alight with excitement and disbelief. This was the culmination of everything they had worked for. The marriage of their daughter to a man like David would change their lives forever.
David stood up, his movements deliberate, confident. “I’ll handle all of this. You may all leave now.”
Elizabeth, not ready to let him go, moved quickly, grabbing his sleeve and pressing herself close to him. “I’ll be waiting for you, Mr. David, no matter how long it takes.”
She rubbed her breasts against his arm, her touch calculated, but David’s response was swift and cold. Without sparing her another glance, he shoved her away and left the room.
Elizabeth watched him go, her face a mask of frustration. “Mr. David, why are you so cold?” she muttered under her breath.
Samantha, always the encourager, smiled knowingly. “You silly child, take it slow. You can’t rush things sometimes.”
“Regardless,” she continued, her voice filled with excitement, “he promised to marry you, and soon you’ll be Mrs. Ellison!”
Elizabeth’s smile grew wider. “That’s true. Now, let’s witness the downfall of Caroline.”
Matthew, overhearing his daughter’s words, felt a chill run down his spine. Caroline had been the one who had spent the night with David. And yet, Caroline remained unaware. He vowed to make sure she never found out, no matter the cost.
The Brooks family’s secret would remain buried, they were certain of it. But Matthew knew that the moment they let their guard down, everything could come crashing down.
“We’ll take this secret to our graves,” Matthew warned. “Never let anyone find out, or else…”
“I understand, Dad. Don’t worry,” Elizabeth said, her voice dripping with smug satisfaction. “Caroline will be left in the dark for the rest of her life. Bwahahahaha!”
Her laughter echoed in the room, filled with the promise of future triumph. She was already envisioning herself as Mrs. Ellison, and no one—especially Caroline—could stand in her way.
Elizabeth left Ellison Group and headed straight to the Ellison residence. There was no way she was going to miss the chance to rub her impending victory in Caroline’s face.
When the butler opened the door, he looked at her in confusion. “Is something the matter, Ms. Elizabeth?”
“Must I come with a reason now?” Elizabeth sneered, her eyes gleaming with greed as she surveyed the luxurious home. “Such a grand house, and soon I’ll be the one to own it. Go and fetch me Caroline.”
The butler hesitated, unsure of how to respond, but from the second-floor stairs, Caroline’s voice rang out, sharp and clear. “Whose dog is barking at my door?”
