Chapter 45: The Truth She Wasn’t Ready For

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: The Truth She Wasn’t Ready For

Before either of them could say anything, the sound of high heels clicking against the floor echoed through the hallway.

Henry’s eyes widened.

Eloise was already making her way toward Henry’s bedroom.

Elisha noticed the panic in Henry’s eyes and immediately lowered his voice. "It’s fine," he whispered. "Give me the bouquet. I’ll quickly hide it in the closet, then I’ll sit on the sofa and wait until she leaves."

Henry quickly shook his head. "No. If Eloise comes inside right now, she won’t leave easily, and—"

"I get it. I’ll go," Elisha interrupted, stepping off the bed. He held out his hand. "Give me the bouquet. I’ll hide it so she doesn’t see it."

As Elisha reached for the flowers, Henry pulled them back against his chest, stopping him. He looked up at Elisha, his eyes sharp. "What are you trying to do right now?"

"I’m trying to protect us, Henry. I don’t want Eloise to catch us together or get suspicious," Elisha said, looking at him in confusion.

Henry stared at him for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "Who asked you to hide the flowers and leave?"

"I’m trying to help you, Henry—" Elisha began.

"I didn’t ask for your help hiding," Henry interrupted, his voice steady but firm. "Let her see whatever she wants to see. We can’t hide from her forever. One way or another, she has to face the truth."

Elisha paused, searching his face. "Are you sure?"

"If you’re willing to blow up your whole life and come out to your family for us, why shouldn’t I do the same?" Henry said, reaching for Elisha’s hand. "Sit back down."

A soft, proud smile spread across Elisha’s face. "Alright."

Henry leaned closer, his gaze fixed on Elisha’s lips. "Kiss me."

A wave of relief washed over Elisha, and he didn’t hesitate. He leaned forward and pressed his lips firmly against Henry’s.

Meanwhile, Eloise was already close to Henry’s bedroom door, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she approached. Why on earth did the maid have to ask for permission? she thought bitterly. She was convinced Henry was hiding another woman inside and was determined to catch them together.

She brushed past the flustered housekeeper standing in the hallway without saying a word. As she reached Henry’s bedroom, she slowed for a moment, her hand hovering over the doorknob.

I’m going to find out what you’ve been hiding from me, she thought.

Without bothering to knock, she grabbed the doorknob and turned it. The door opened slowly, and she stepped inside, her eyes immediately scanning the room.

For a brief second, she looked toward the empty sofa, then toward the bed.

Her eyes suddenly widened.

The sight before her made her stop cold.

Henry and Elisha were sitting together in the middle of the bed, bathed in the morning light, locked in a deep kiss.

Eloise’s breath caught. She stared at them in complete disbelief, as if her mind couldn’t process what she was seeing.

Neither Henry nor Elisha pulled away. They simply remained there, completely unbothered by her presence.

Eloise stood frozen in the doorway, staring at the two men as the truth finally hit her.

A wave of pain washed over her. She felt utterly betrayed, and the fact that neither of them had even flinched at her arrival, acting as though she were invisible, hurt even more than the shock itself.

"Henry!" she finally screamed, her voice breaking with anguish.

The sound of her scream finally made Henry and Elisha pull apart. Neither of them looked startled or guilty.

"How could you do this to me?" Eloise sobbed, rushing toward the bed. She pointed a trembling finger at Elisha, tears streaming down her face. "Get out of my man’s room right now! Leave him alone, you freak!"

"I should have known from the way you reacted to me last night!" she continued, her voice rising with anger and hurt. "I should have known there was something strange about the way you acted around me and Henry! Now get out of this room and stay away from my man!"

Elisha slowly rose from the bed, completely unfazed by Eloise’s anger. He glanced at Henry and gave him a calm look. "I’ll be downstairs."

"Leave! Don’t you dare stay downstairs. Just disappear!" Eloise shouted, advancing toward him. "And never show your face near my man again!"

As Elisha turned to walk past her, Henry’s voice cut through the room, cold and firm.

"He’s not going anywhere."

Henry shifted and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "Eloise, what is wrong with you?"

Eloise stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "I should be asking you what’s wrong with you! Elisha is your best friend! How could you be kissing him? Are you out of your mind, Henry?!"

"Will you stop screaming?" Henry said, running a tired hand over his face. "I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but—"

"No, Henry, no!" Eloise sobbed, shaking her head frantically as she struggled to accept what she was seeing. "I know this is his fault! He’s the problem! I know you two have been best friends since childhood, but this isn’t right! You can’t let your feelings for him as a friend turn into something like this. You’re kissing your best friend, Henry. This is wrong!"

"I understand how you’re feeling, but please calm down, Eloise. Let’s talk about this without all the screaming," Henry said softly.

Overwhelmed, Eloise stumbled backward and collapsed onto the nearby sofa. She buried her face in her hands, running her fingers through her hair in frustration as tears continued to fall.

Then a sudden realization struck her.

She slowly lowered her hands, her eyes widening as she looked at Henry. "So... last night, you were with Elisha, weren’t you? And that whole story about using his cologne because you helped him into the car... it was all a lie?"

Henry looked away, his expression heavy with guilt. "I’m sorry, Eloise. I really am."

"I understand that you want someone else," she choked out, her voice breaking. "But you made me feel like an absolute fool."

Elisha stepped forward slightly, wanting to say something. "I’m sorry—"

"Will you just shut up?!" Eloise screamed, snapping her head toward him. "You’re taking my man away from me, and you’re standing there apologizing? How about you give me my man back and let me be the one apologizing to you?!"

"I’m sorry, but I can’t do that," Elisha replied evenly.

Eloise let out a harsh, broken laugh and turned her face away as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "Then keep your mouth shut and let me be heartbroken in peace. Both of you... Just be quiet."

Without a word, Elisha moved back to the edge of the bed and slid in beside Henry. He intertwined his fingers with Henry’s and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

Eloise wiped her eyes and glared at Elisha through her tears. "I can’t even blame Henry entirely, you piece of trash. You look damn handsome, sure... but why my man? Why couldn’t you ruin someone else’s life instead?"

Henry let out a short, involuntary chuckle, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of Elisha’s lips.

"What’s so funny to both of you?!" Eloise shouted, her voice cracking with fresh fury.

The laughter died instantly.

"I’m hurting right here..."