Chapter 41 I Never Touched Her
There were almost no people in the hospital park that morning.
The few who passed couldn't help glancing at Alexander and Elsa.
He stood there in a tailored suit, holding a woman in a white dress. From a distance, they looked perfect together.
Only someone close enough would notice the heaviness in Alexander's expression and the tear tracks on Elsa's face.
Their marriage was the same way.
Flawless from the outside.
Broken everywhere underneath.
Elsa pulled free from his arms.
She wiped her tears and looked at him.
"Three years in a loveless marriage killed the person I used to be. I don't blame you, and I don't hate you. I chose this marriage myself."
Alexander's lips pressed into a hard line.
He stared at her pale face without speaking.
Elsa tried once more.
"Alexander, the woman you love is back. You have a son together. You finally have the happiness you wanted. And I've found a way to repay you. Can't we end this peacefully?"
Their eyes met.
Both were red-rimmed.
Alexander was holding himself so tightly that a vein stood out near his temple and his fists clenched at his sides.
"Elsa, I have been taking care of Serena and her son. That's true. But I have never slept with her."
Elsa shook her head as tears fell again.
"But you have a son together. Nothing you say can erase that."
Alexander staggered back half a step.
For a long moment he couldn't speak.
Finally, he said, "Divorce is not happening. I know you're hurting and you can't accept this right now. You can keep living with your parents until the problems between us are resolved."
Elsa's emotions rose again.
"I don't want to keep wasting my life like this! One phone call from your grandfather cost me my job. I want my own life. I don't want anything to do with the Horton family anymore."
Alexander stepped closer and lightly steadied her.
His voice softened as much as possible.
"Elsa, if you agree not to divorce, I promise your career won't be affected. I'll transfer every asset I have into your name. I'll even write it into my will if that's what you want."
She shook her head.
"I can lose my job. I can walk away from the money. But I have to divorce you."
Alexander's hands fell away from her.
The warmth in his expression disappeared with them.
When he spoke again, his voice had changed.
"If we can't reach an agreement, there's no point continuing this conversation."
He turned and walked away.
Elsa stood beside the river and watched him leave without looking back.
Angry tears filled her eyes.
She had swallowed her pain and tried to end things with dignity.
He still didn't care.
Even now, he wanted to keep her as a respectable wife in name only—a shield that preserved his image as a devoted family man.
Over the next several days, the hospital director repeatedly asked Elsa to "rest," obviously trying to pressure her into resigning.
Then, while Elsa was home with her parents, the auction company called.
The jewelry had failed to sell.
"How is that possible?"
Elsa and her parents spoke almost at the same time.
After the call ended, panic entered Elsa's voice.
"Dad, Mom, the reserve price wasn't excessive. How could there be no buyer?"
Margaret exchanged a look with Harold.
"Could someone be quietly warning interested buyers not to bid?"
Alexander.
Elsa immediately called him.
He didn't answer.
She grabbed her handbag and started for the door, but her parents stopped her.
Harold spoke gently. "Even if it is Alexander, what will confronting him accomplish?"
Elsa sank onto the sofa, suddenly weak.
Margaret sat beside her. "Don't give up. Try another auction house."
That afternoon, Elsa met Julian.
He was surprised when he heard the jewelry hadn't sold.
"I'm flying to Taren tomorrow for an academic conference," he said. "I'll give you an address. Visit Mr. Burton. He's a senior jewelry expert with excellent private clients. He may be able to find a direct buyer."
Elsa thanked him again and again.
Julian adjusted his glasses and then asked carefully, "I also heard you may be leaving the hospital."
Elsa froze, unsure how to answer.
Julian didn't force her.
"Elsa, sleep disorders are one of the fields I'm personally interested in too. If you're willing, I'd like to invite you to join Reyes Medical Group."
He paused.
"Our hospitals work internationally. You'd have a better platform for your specialty, and I can guarantee that no one would interfere with your work there."
Elsa could feel his sincerity.
She didn't reject the offer.
"Thank you, Julian. If I need a place, I'll contact you."
The next morning, Elsa loaded several gift cards and followed Julian's address to visit Mr. Burton.
Her priority was still selling the jewelry and having cash ready.
If Alexander continued refusing to cooperate, she would take him to court and fight for the divorce.
When Elsa reached Building Seven, she unexpectedly saw Serena.
She checked the building behind Serena, then the address on her phone.
Mr. Burton and Serena apparently lived in the same building.
The moment Serena saw Elsa, she sent Alexander a message.
She had been searching for an excuse to approach Elsa.
Now Elsa had walked straight to her door.
If Alexander arrived later, Serena could hardly be blamed.
"Dr. Winters. What a coincidence."
Serena deliberately used Elsa's professional name as she approached.
Elsa stopped and answered just as deliberately.
"Miss Whitmore, please call me Mrs. Horton."
If Serena could persuade Alexander to finalize the divorce, Elsa would gladly thank her.
The title struck exactly where Serena hated most.
Her face changed.
As Elsa tried to pass, Serena held out an arm.
"Since we're already here, I'll be honest with you. I may have been away from Alexander for six years, but the bond between us never truly ended."
Elsa looked at her. "Then why didn't you come back when he married me?"
Serena smoothed her long curled hair.
"You already know Alexander and I have a son. He loves me and our child very much. I also know the Horton elders forced him into marrying you. To him, the wedding was simply another obligation he had to complete. He had reasons he couldn't escape. I understand that."
Elsa's expression cooled. "If you understood, why did you return now?"
Serena smiled.
"Because Alexander said he couldn't bear the thought of Ethan and me continuing to live overseas. He said he couldn't stand being separated from us anymore."
Her smile deepened.
"Alexander was the one who begged me to bring our son home."