Chapter 52 Im Giving You a Way Down-Take It
Alexander's calm, rational analysis shattered Elsa all over again.
He had followed her all the way abroad, yet even now he was still trying to persuade her to tolerate Serena and her child.
Elsa shoved him hard.
"Alexander, every dollar you ever 'generously' spent on the bankrupt Winters family during our three years of marriage was written into your ledger. That's your idea of reality."
Something tightened unexpectedly in his chest.
He stepped forward and caught both her wrists.
His lips parted, but for a moment he couldn't speak.
Elsa's eyes filled with tears as she struggled against his grip.
"You want to talk to me about reality? You're cold and ruthless to me, but you can give that mother and son all your tenderness. How can you be this hypocritical?"
Ignoring her struggle, Alexander wrapped one arm around her waist and rubbed her back with the other.
"We haven't seen each other for a week. Let's not talk about this tonight, all right?"
Elsa planted both hands against his chest. Her tears fell despite herself, but her voice had never been firmer.
"I can't tolerate my husband loving another woman. I can't tolerate my husband having a child with another woman. I can't stand watching you lower every boundary for her while ignoring what it does to me.
I sold the heirloom jewelry my grandmother left my mother just to raise the money for this divorce. If that doesn't show you how serious I am, nothing will."
Alexander continued to pat her back as though soothing a child.
"I know you've been hurt. Come home with me tomorrow. Whatever you want, tell me."
Elsa pushed against him again.
"I want one thing. A divorce!"
Alexander reached past her, opened the bedroom door, and suddenly lifted her into his arms.
He carried her inside, set her on the edge of the bed, then crouched in front of her.
"Elsa, we've been married three years. Do you really have no trust in me at all?"
She turned her face away.
"The moment you lied to me for Serena and Ethan, there was no trust left between us."
Alexander rose wearily and removed his suit jacket.
"Since neither of us is going to agree tonight, we're done talking for now. We'll sleep and discuss it tomorrow."
Elsa shot to her feet.
"You aren't seriously planning to stay here, are you?"
His expression darkened.
"We're husband and wife. Why wouldn't we stay together?"
Elsa pointed toward the bedroom door.
"Go find your precious first love. Don't dirty my bed."
Before she finished speaking, Alexander caught her around the waist and lifted her off the floor with one arm.
His tone remained maddeningly calm.
"You have two choices. Get into bed and rest now, or I carry you like this straight onto the helicopter. Choose."
Elsa hit his shoulders and chest.
"If you force me, I'll kill myself!"
Alexander placed her on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
"I know you're angry with me. I'm not that much of a bastard. I won't touch you."
Sex required consent from both sides.
He wanted her, but he would never force her.
Alexander reached over and switched off the bedside lamp. Then he lay beside her and pulled her into his arms through the blanket.
He rested his head closer to her.
"Stop fighting. Let me sleep for a while."
No matter how Elsa struggled, he kept his eyes closed, refused to answer, and would not let her go.
Eventually, she exhausted herself and gave up.
They had slept in the same bed for three years and tried every position imaginable. There was no point pretending his presence embarrassed her now.
Elsa lay stiffly on her back, eyes wide open, too furious to sleep.
Growing up, Alexander had only ever used two methods to make peace after an argument.
Either he seduced her into forgetting why she was angry.
Or he bought her something.
Even when she was asking for a divorce, he hadn't changed at all.
He was the one who started the conversation, and somehow he was also the one who decided it was over.
The more Elsa thought about it, the angrier she became.
She sat up.
Alexander didn't move.
Using the faint light from outside, she leaned closer and found him sound asleep.
That somehow made her even more furious.
The next morning, Elsa woke on the sofa.
When she went into the bedroom bathroom to wash up, Alexander had just finished.
"If you're awake, hurry up and leave," she said coldly as she turned on the faucet.
Alexander stood beside the sink, watching her reflection in the mirror.
"Mrs. Avery's eightieth birthday banquet is the day after tomorrow. She personally asked you to attend. You need to come back with me."
Elsa turned off the water and reached for a face towel.
"I have work. I'm not going."
After a moment, Alexander said, "If you truly want to work, I'll arrange a hospital position for you when we return. I guarantee Grandfather won't interfere again."
Elsa rolled her eyes.
"Alexander, I'm never going to depend on you again just so you can keep controlling me."
She threw the towel away.
"Call me when you're willing to sign the divorce papers. You're already busy enough with work and taking care of Serena and Ethan. Stop wasting your time on me."
Alexander's patience thinned.
"Elsa, I came to bring you home because I'm taking responsibility for our marriage. Don't take your temper too far. I'm giving you a way down—take it."
Elsa didn't retreat an inch.
"From now on, any road with Alexander Horton standing on it is a road I won't take. I don't need you to give me a way down."
She picked up her things.
"Lock the door when you leave."
Ignoring his attempt to stop her, Elsa left for work.
Her hospital was not far from the apartment. She stayed there all day and didn't even return home during lunch.
Alexander sent her a message. She didn't reply.
She knew how busy he was. He couldn't stay in Taren forever just to wear her down.
That evening, when Elsa walked out of the hospital, she saw a crowd of female colleagues gathered near the entrance.
When she approached, she discovered Alexander in the middle of them.
In his immaculate suit, he looked every inch the distant, privileged executive. Yet he was speaking fluent Taren with her coworkers and calmly introducing himself as her husband.
The moment he saw Elsa, he came through the crowd and lifted the bag from her shoulder.
Elsa refused to make a scene in front of her colleagues. She said goodbye to them and got into his car.
When the car reached an elevated bridge, Elsa demanded to get out.
After a brief hesitation, Alexander got out with her.
They stood opposite each other beside the barrier, city lights spread below.
Elsa looked at him.
"Why are you still here?"
Alexander reached into his pocket and produced her wedding ring.
He caught her wrist and forced it back onto her finger.
"If you want to stay here and continue your training, I'll agree to that. But divorce is not an option."
Elsa pulled her hand free.
Then, right in front of him, she tore the ring from her finger and hurled it off the bridge.
Alexander's heart seemed to stop.
His pupils contracted as he instinctively reached after it.
"Elsa, don't!"
The diamond caught the night light once before vanishing into the darkness below.
As the ring disappeared from sight, the world between them fell completely silent.