Chapter 60 Do You Have to See It That Way?
"Spend the holiday with your family? Not a chance!"
Noah came out of his room, grabbed a small stool, and headed straight for Alexander.
Elsa and their parents hurried to stop him.
Elsa turned back to Alexander.
"Leave. I'll go to the estate tonight."
As long as the matter between her and Alexander remained unresolved, her family would have no peace.
There were things she needed to say directly to the elders of the Horton family.
Alexander saw that she had agreed and left to avoid another confrontation.
After he was gone, no one in the Winters home felt like celebrating.
By lunchtime, Elsa saw the worry on her parents' faces and didn't know how to comfort them.
At dusk, Alexander called. Elsa went downstairs.
The air-conditioning inside the black luxury sedan was strong. After getting in, Elsa tugged her sleeves farther down her arms.
Alexander leaned toward her.
"Is it too cold?"
Elsa turned away without answering.
He reached for a light blanket and wrapped it around her.
Elsa immediately pulled it off.
His face darkened. He placed the blanket around her again, and before she could throw it away a second time, he drew her into his arms through it.
Elsa struggled.
"Alexander, let go of me!"
His arms tightened.
"Elsa, what married couple lives like this?"
Forget intimacy.
She could barely tolerate him touching her now.
Elsa tore herself free and threw off the blanket.
"You married me while loving your first love the entire time. Before we were even divorced, you openly kept Serena and her child beside you and gave them all your preference and trust. You let them provoke me again and again.
The fact that I haven't turned into your sworn enemy is already the greatest restraint I have left."
Alexander stared at her profile.
"Elsa, do you have to see it that way?"
She looked out the window.
"Alexander, you said one thing in Serena's hospital room that was actually right."
He frowned.
"What?"
"When there's nothing left to say, shut up."
The atmosphere in the car became suffocating.
They traveled the rest of the way in silence.
Night had just begun to fall when the car entered the Horton estate.
A servant opened the door for Elsa.
Violet rushed outside excitedly.
"Elsa! I was worried you wouldn't come."
Eleanor took Elsa affectionately by the hand and led her inside.
"Elsa, I had the kitchen steam fish for you. Eat plenty tonight."
Alexander followed behind them, watching his mother and sister each hold one of Elsa's arms as they led her toward the dining room.
His expression shifted almost imperceptibly.
Elsa entered and greeted everyone politely.
Alexander had betrayed her. She intended to divorce him. But none of that meant she would throw away her upbringing.
The table was covered with food.
Elsa couldn't swallow a bite.
She had finally come home and had wanted to spend Thanksgiving properly with her parents.
Instead, Noah had been injured and her parents were miserable.
They were probably sitting at home in a cold kitchen, too worried about her to eat.
Eleanor kept placing food on Elsa's plate.
Elsa mechanically thanked her each time.
Alexander noticed everything.
He passed her a covered soup bowl, removed the lid, and checked the temperature.
"Your favorite mushroom soup. Mom had the kitchen make it especially for you."
Elsa stared at the bowl.
Against her will, an image appeared in her mind: Alexander sitting beside Serena's hospital bed, carefully feeding her porridge.
Nausea rose in Elsa's stomach.
She stood quickly.
"Excuse me. I need the restroom."
After she left, Charles immediately snapped, "She comes back with that miserable face and doesn't even know how to behave anymore!"
Eleanor looked at her son.
"Alexander, tell me the truth. What exactly is happening between you and Elsa?"
Alexander rose, appearing as composed as ever.
"Dad, Mom, don't worry. We're fine."
Old Mr. Horton gave a cold snort but said nothing.
After a moment, Alexander left the dining room too.
Only once he was gone did Violet dare to speak.
"Grandfather, Mom, Dad... I noticed Elsa didn't eat a single thing my brother put on her plate."
She added, "And I counted. My brother drank seven glasses of alcohol and didn't eat anything either."
Old Mr. Horton stood. Carson immediately came forward to support him.
When Elsa came out of the restroom, she saw everyone gathered in the living room.
She hesitated, then walked to Old Mr. Horton.
"Grandfather, Dad, Mom. There's something I need to tell you."
Alexander's sharp eyes swept across her face.
He strode over and caught her wrist.
"Grandfather, Dad, Mom, Elsa and I have something to do. We'll leave first."
Elsa tried to pull free.
Remembering what had happened to Noah's wrist, Alexander immediately loosened his grip rather than risk hurting her.
Elsa looked at Old Mr. Horton.
"Grandfather, I've hired an attorney and begun divorce proceedings."
Every expression in the room changed.
Charles glared at his son, then turned on Elsa.
"When the Winters family went bankrupt, where would any of you be without Alexander? If you want a divorce, leave with nothing. Don't think you'll take a single cent from the Horton family!"
Eleanor sat on the sofa, sighing repeatedly.
Alexander stepped toward Elsa and gripped her shoulders.
"It's Thanksgiving. Let Grandfather and my parents rest. Whatever this is, we'll talk tomorrow."
Elsa shook her head.
"Alexander, I don't want to wait another minute. I want a divorce."
Their eyes met.
His hands tightened unconsciously.
Elsa tore herself free and stepped away.
Her gaze moved across every member of the Horton family.
"After the Winters family went bankrupt, Alexander calculated every amount he spent on us. I have already repaid one billion. If we divorce now, I will leave with nothing. I won't take one dollar from the Horton family."
Whether it was the alcohol or something else, Alexander's eyes were frighteningly red.
He stepped forward to stop her.
Elsa moved aside.
She turned to face him.
"We've known each other since childhood. I wanted us to part peacefully. But if you keep trying to control me, I will fight you to the end. I will make sure you and the woman you love are publicly disgraced."
From the moment Elsa threw away their wedding ring, Alexander had known she was serious.
His lips moved, but no sound came.
Elsa looked at him once, then faced the Horton patriarch.
This time, she changed the way she addressed them.
"Mr. Horton. Mr. Charles Horton. You're both intelligent men. I have evidence of Alexander's affair. If I take this through the courts, that evidence will become public. You understand the consequences better than I do. I want a clear answer by next Monday. Otherwise, I'll see you in court."
She turned and walked away without hesitation.
On the garden path leading toward the gates, Alexander caught up with her.
Before Elsa could react, he lifted her over his shoulder, carried her to the car, and put her inside.
"Alexander! Where are you taking me?"
His eyes were reddened from drink and exhaustion as he locked her against his chest.
"Somewhere you'll finally calm down."