Chapter 31 Dont Touch Me
Violet leaned back and shot Lucas a warning look.
She also believed her brother didn't deserve Elsa, and part of her wanted Elsa to escape this painful marriage.
But Alexander was still her brother.
Some selfish corner of her heart still hoped Elsa wouldn't really divorce him.
Even so, Elsa couldn't keep everything bottled up forever.
"Elsa, whatever you decide, I'll support you," Violet said. "Even if you divorce my brother, Grandpa and my parents will never let Serena and that child into the Horton family."
Elsa gave her a grateful look, then drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.
Every cruel sentence she had heard Alexander say in the study kept drilling into her mind.
The pain was so relentless that sometimes she wanted everything to stop.
She looked at Lucas. "Lucas, could you lend me one billion? I'll divorce him first and repay you in installments after I start earning more."
Lucas froze. "What kind of divorce costs one billion?"
Violet's eyes widened. "Elsa, don't tell me my brother is—"
Elsa buried her face in her arms. "When the Winters family went bankrupt, Alexander paid our enormous debts. He's also supported my parents and Noah all these years. I owe him that money."
Violet looked horrified. For a moment she had thought Alexander was actually demanding repayment as the price of divorce.
If that were true, even she would call her brother inhuman.
Lucas studied Elsa more carefully.
He wasn't nearly as optimistic as Violet.
"Alexander married you," he said cautiously. "Helping your family with its debts was part of the life he chose with you. Even if you divorce, that doesn't mean you should repay everything. You gave him years of your life. That can't be measured in money."
Elsa's head remained lowered. "I have to pay it back. Otherwise he won't let me leave."
She had already said everything openly in Old Mr. Horton's study. There was no reason to hide it now.
Lucas understood immediately.
No wonder Alexander had been so certain there would be no divorce.
Money was the chain he was using to keep Elsa in place.
Lucas had the money.
But lending it was another matter.
Alexander clearly didn't want the divorce, and this debt was the one thing giving him leverage. If Lucas interfered, Alexander might destroy his vacation estate overnight and drag both families into a feud for good measure.
Lucas grimaced.
Elsa noticed and rescued him from the awkwardness. "Lucas, I was joking. I know Alexander's temper. I won't let the two of you fall out because of me. I'll find another way."
Lucas looked guilty. "Have you two eaten lunch? A new French restaurant opened downtown. My treat."
Elsa shook her head. "Violet, go with Lucas. I'm not hungry."
"If you're not going, I'm not going," Violet said immediately.
Lucas sighed. "Then let me at least take you both out for a while. Staying trapped in this house isn't helping."
After some thought, Elsa agreed.
She did need to get out and clear the thoughts that were driving her toward the edge.
She washed up, changed clothes, put on flat shoes, and left with Violet and Lucas.
That afternoon, Lucas took them to a large downtown mall.
"Buy whatever you want. I'll pay."
Elsa forced a faint smile in thanks.
The three took the glass elevator to the second floor. Lucas went to buy drinks while Violet pulled Elsa toward the women's section.
"Wait here. I need to grab something."
Elsa nodded.
Violet stopped in front of a shelf of daily necessities.
Elsa wandered toward the next aisle.
And saw Alexander.
He stood there in his expensive business suit, a box of sanitary pads in one hand and his phone in the other.
Elsa could hear his voice clearly.
"Serena, which brand do you normally use? I can bring a few different ones if you're not sure."
His tone was patient and gentle.
For three years of marriage, Elsa had asked Alexander to buy sanitary pads for her exactly once.
His response had been that she should order several packs online in advance so she wouldn't run out.
In the end, he had asked a female assistant to buy them and deliver them to the house.
But now, after Elsa had fallen apart in front of him, after he had left her at home and called his sister to watch over her, he had rushed out himself.
To buy sanitary pads for Serena.
Elsa's vision went black.
Her knees nearly gave way.
"Elsa!"
Violet reached her just in time and caught her.
Hearing the shout, Alexander turned.
His eyes met Elsa's devastated gaze.
He dropped what he was holding and immediately walked toward her.
Violet exploded. "Alexander, what are you doing here?!"
He gave his sister a warning look and cautiously approached Elsa. "Why did you come out?"
His fingers hadn't even reached her sleeve when Elsa screamed and recoiled.
"Don't touch me!"
Alexander froze.
Elsa wrapped both arms around herself and kept backing away like a frightened animal.
Looking at the man in front of her, she felt as though she couldn't breathe.
She had to leave.
Now.
Elsa shoved past Alexander and ran.
The moment he saw her heading toward the glass elevator, Alexander's heart leaped into his throat and he chased her.
"Elsa!"
He caught her at the elevator entrance. "Where are you going? I'll take you."
Elsa's emotions were beyond control.
Ignoring the stares around them, she twisted away from him and cried, "Help!"
That one word hit Alexander harder than a slap.
Violet finally caught up in her heels and pushed at her brother. "Let her go! Elsa doesn't want you touching her."
Lucas returned carrying drinks. "Alexander, weren't you—"
Then he saw the women's hygiene aisle behind Alexander.
Lucas set the drinks down and scratched his head in disbelief.
The moment Elsa saw him, she looked as though she'd found a lifeline.
"Lucas, please. Get me out of here."
Lucas hurried forward to support her.
Alexander refused to release her.
He pushed Lucas away with one hand and wrapped the other around Elsa's waist. "I'll take her home."
Lucas shoved him back. "Can't you see she doesn't want to be near you?"
Violet was close to tears. "Alexander, she's like this because of you. Can you just let go?"
The chaos became unbearable.
Elsa used every bit of strength she had to tear herself free from both men.
She succeeded.
But the force of the movement threw her off balance.
Alexander reacted a second too late.
"Elsa!"
People screamed around them as Elsa lost her footing and tumbled down the escalator.