Chapter 25: Is She Your Mistress?
Caroline’s heart was racing as she grabbed a fruit knife from the basket. The sharp blade gleamed menacingly in her hand as she gripped it with determination. There was no turning back now.
She stood tall, holding the knife out in front of her, her eyes locked on David’s cold, calculating gaze. “Anyone who dares touch me gets to die with me today!” she declared.
She had nothing left to lose. All the pain, the manipulation, the years of suffering—she couldn’t let it continue. She wasn’t the same helpless woman she used to be. She wasn’t afraid anymore, not of him, not of anyone. If she gave in to Elizabeth today, it would be the beginning of endless humiliation. Elizabeth would just become bolder, more insufferable. And the baby inside her—she needed to protect it at all costs.
Elizabeth’s voice shrieked, high-pitched with fear. “Ah! She’s holding a knife!” She quickly backed into David’s embrace. “Be careful, Mr. David, don’t let her hurt you!”
David’s eyes never left Caroline. Calm, almost detached, he studied her. “Put it down,” he commanded, his voice firm.
Caroline’s grip on the knife tightened. “No!” she spat, refusing to back down.
David raised an eyebrow, his expression indifferent. “Do you really think a mere fruit knife can stop me?”
Caroline, with a defiant twist of her wrist, placed the blade against her own neck. “What about now?” she asked, her voice steady despite the threatening situation. “If I die right here, how will you explain this to Ms. Harper? She’s just reunited with her family, planning to enjoy her retirement. Now you’ve forced your favorite daughter-in-law to death with your own hands.”
David’s face darkened. He hated being threatened more than anything. But Caroline knew how to manipulate him, how to use his connection with Ms. Harper to her advantage. Their bond from the orphanage, the years they’d spent together—it was something David couldn’t easily overlook.
“Caroline, you’re the first woman to ever threaten me,” David muttered, his voice low.
Caroline’s eyes flashed with fire. “You left me no choice!” she retorted.
She wasn’t asking for his sympathy. She wasn’t looking for a way out—she just wanted answers, the truth. “You’re willing to hurt my hands for Elizabeth,” she said bitterly. “Why?”
David remained silent, his lips curling into a faint smirk. But there was no humor behind it, only cruelty. “I don’t even have a heart. How could I have a conscience?” he sneered.
Caroline’s anger surged. She pressed the knife harder against her neck, feeling the sharp edge cut through the skin slightly.
“Fine then,” she said with a bitter laugh. “At least make it clear for me. I’m Mrs. Ellison, your wife. What about that woman? What is she to you?”
David’s words were deliberate, measured. “I can choose whoever I want to be Mrs. Ellison.”
Caroline’s laughter was hollow. “Oh, so Elizabeth has just been promoted,” she mocked. “Does that mean she’s your mistress now?”
Elizabeth, feigning innocence, immediately piped up, “Caroline, how can you say that? Mr. David and I, we truly love each other…”
Caroline’s stomach churned at the sound of her words. She wanted to vomit. “Love?” she scoffed. “You two dare talk to me about love?”
She had seen it all at the Brooks residence—the flirtatious glances, the exchanges that left her feeling sick to her stomach. She hadn’t expected it to escalate this quickly, but now it all made sense.
Caroline, suppressing her anger, took a deep breath and steadied herself. “Fine,” she said, her voice tinged with sarcasm. “You can have your love. I’ll step aside. David, let’s go to Civil Affairs, and let’s file for a divorce right now!”
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up with glee at the suggestion. Too easy! Once the divorce was finalized, she would finally get everything she had ever wanted. She could take her place beside David, the title of Mrs. Ellison finally within her reach.
She looked up at David, eager for him to agree. Surely, he hated Caroline now. He must be ready to get rid of her once and for all.
But David’s response was far from what Elizabeth had anticipated. His face was etched with menace, his lips pressed into a thin, unforgiving line. He didn’t seem to care about Caroline’s challenge.
Does she really think that just because Harper and Richard are backing her, I won’t agree to the divorce? David thought bitterly. I’m David Ellison. There’s nothing I can’t do.
He looked down at Elizabeth, pulling her close as they turned to leave. “Caroline,” he said with a cold sneer, “Just you wait. You’ll regret what you did today.”
