Chapter 49 Let Her Go
Alexander drove to the apartment complex where Elsa's parents lived.
He sent her a message telling her to come downstairs.
During the next few minutes, he couldn't settle.
He checked his phone again and again.
No reply.
No Elsa.
Alexander got out of the car and went upstairs.
Elsa's parents had just finished speaking with her by phone and were preparing for bed when someone knocked.
The moment they saw Alexander, their expressions changed.
Harold stood in the doorway and didn't invite him in.
"Alexander, what brings you here this late?"
Alexander looked past him into the living room.
"Dad, Mom, I need to speak with Elsa."
Harold and Margaret exchanged a look.
Margaret finally said, "Elsa went overseas for further training. She's not home."
Alexander's face darkened immediately.
"When did she leave?"
His wife had left the country and he, her husband, hadn't known.
The realization felt terrible.
Margaret gently pulled Harold aside and allowed Alexander in.
Then she poured him a glass of water.
Harold sat opposite him. His tone was noticeably more distant than before.
"You haven't visited in a while. Elsa isn't here, so there are things her mother and I should say to you directly."
Alexander sat with the same respectful posture he always used around them.
"Please say whatever you want. You don't need to be polite with me."
Harold sighed.
"Alexander, you're a good young man. The Winters family has survived these years because of your help. We remember everything you've done for us."
Then his tone changed.
"But Elsa was spoiled by us from childhood. She has a bad temper and can be difficult. Perhaps she really isn't suited to you. Since you have someone you love and a child with her, Elsa won't stand in your way anymore. Let her go. Divorce her."
Alexander's face stiffened.
He forced a faint smile and tried to explain.
"Dad, Mom, there are things I can't explain right now. But whether you believe me or not, I have never intended to divorce Elsa."
He stood.
"Please don't interfere in our marriage. Let Elsa and me solve our problems ourselves."
Margaret loved her daughter too much to keep her tone gentle.
"Alexander, a man should keep his word. You said the Winters family owed you one billion. We've prepared it. For the sake of that girl loving you since she was little, stop tormenting her. End the marriage."
Alexander ignored the subject.
"Mom, please tell me which country Elsa went to and where she's staying."
Margaret turned her back to him.
"My daughter has finally stopped crying. I won't help you make her cry again."
Harold went to open the door.
"We've said everything we should. Go home and think about it. Complete the divorce with Elsa as soon as possible."
They were furious about what they believed Alexander had done, but even now they chose restraint over insults.
Alexander stood and looked at Margaret's back.
After a moment, he walked to the door.
Before leaving, he stopped in front of Harold.
"Dad, Mom, I will not divorce Elsa."
The door closed immediately behind him.
Alexander remained in the hallway for several seconds.
Ever since he was young, whenever he visited the Winters family, Elsa's parents had treated him with warmth.
They cooked for him, worried over him, and cared for him like another son.
Even recently, while Elsa was fighting with him about divorce, they had still asked about his work and offered him meals.
This was the first time he had felt genuine distance from them.
Back in the car, Alexander called Gavin.
"Find out everything Elsa did while I was away. I want her travel records and her current location."
Late that night, on the third floor of Crown Club, Lucas opened a private-room door and found Alexander drunk on the sofa.
Lucas approached and put a hand beneath Alexander's nose.
Alexander slapped it away.
"Good. Still alive," Lucas muttered, sitting opposite him.
Alexander struggled upright and rubbed his temple.
Lucas abandoned his usual teasing expression.
"I stopped by your house. Serena and Ethan are gone. You look terrible. Go home and sleep. Elsa left the country; she didn't leave the planet."
Alexander said nothing and poured another drink.
Lucas had tried not to say it.
He failed.
"Alexander, Elsa sold her mother's heirloom because she wanted a divorce. She renovated your marital home and personally invited Serena and Ethan to move in. She even gave Serena her wedding ring. What do you think that means?"
Alexander kept his head lowered, looking crushed by exhaustion.
Lucas answered his own question.
"It means Elsa isn't trying to punish you. She genuinely wants a divorce."
"She doesn't."
Alexander sounded certain.
"She was furious. Bringing Serena and Ethan into our home and giving Serena the ring was deliberate. She was forcing me to choose."
Lucas stared at him for a long time, speechless.
Late that night, Lucas drove him home.
Alexander stood at the entryway and looked at the slippers Serena had prepared.
He chose not to put them on.
Lucas entered the living room and surveyed the soft French decor.
"No offense, but Serena's taste is nowhere near Elsa's. If your grandmother were still alive, maybe she'd like this place."
Alexander glanced at him.
"Don't tell Violet that Elsa left the country."
Lucas's eyes widened. "Have you met your sister? You think I can hide something like that?"
Alexander didn't answer.
He went upstairs with heavy steps.
After showering and changing, he entered the study.
On the coffee table were the only three things in the entire house that still connected Elsa to him.
The divorce agreement.
The bank card.
The wedding ring.
Everything else she had burned.
Not even one hair tie remained.
His phone vibrated.
Alexander answered.
Gavin's voice came through.
"Mr. Horton, Mrs. Horton flew to Taren the day before you returned. She has joined the Taren branch of Reyes Medical Group. I've sent her current address to your phone."
Alexander frowned.
"Taren? The Reyes family's private hospital?"
"Yes. The Reyes family from Saintville. Dr. Julian Reyes was her reference."