Chapter 65 Any Sane Woman Would Never Turn Back
Julian's casual explanation struck Alexander strangely.
The words sounded familiar.
He frowned almost without realizing it, then politely shook Julian's hand.
"Thank you for taking care of my wife."
Julian smiled.
"No need to thank me. Elsa trained under the same academic mentor as I did. She's practically my junior colleague. Of course I'll look out for her."
Julian and Alexander both belonged to Saintville's highest social circles. They already knew each other.
Alexander remained outside the car, his eyes fixed on Elsa in the back seat.
After a moment's hesitation, he closed the door for her himself.
"Message me when your flight lands."
His tone was gentle, as if nothing painful had ever happened between them.
Elsa smoothed her long hair and gave him no response.
She knew Alexander valued appearances and dignity.
With Julian standing there, he wouldn't force her into a public confrontation.
Alexander's gaze stayed on her for several seconds before he finally stepped back.
Julian exchanged a few polite words with him, got into the car, and drove away.
Alexander stood beside the road, watching the black sedan merge into traffic and disappear.
His eyes remained on the empty road long after it was gone.
A white sports car pulled up behind him.
Lucas climbed out wearing sunglasses and an aggressively fashionable mix of clothes.
He followed Alexander's gaze and laughed.
"You can turn into a statue waiting for your wife and Elsa still won't look back."
Alexander came back to himself at Lucas's irritating tone.
They exchanged a look and got into Alexander's car.
Lucas removed his sunglasses.
"You skipped work just to come send Elsa to the airport. Then she got into Julian's car and ignored you. Am I right?"
Alexander accepted the cigarette Lucas offered.
"If you don't want your mouth anymore, donate it."
Lucas grinned.
"You destroyed your home because of Serena and Ethan. Now your marriage is ending, both families have fallen out, and you're still waiting? Go move in with Serena already. The three of you can finally reunite."
Alexander's expression became frighteningly dark.
"I won't let the elders decide what happens to my marriage with Elsa."
Lucas studied him.
"Elsa loves you, but she's not stupid. You lied to her for your first love and your fake son. You hurt her. You froze her out. You used your power to pressure her. You even injured her brother. After everything you've done, any sane woman would never turn back."
Alexander lit his cigarette irritably.
Then he saw Serena approaching the car and looked even more annoyed.
Lucas noticed too.
"Alexander, unless I'm mistaken, Serena is living with her brother and sister-in-law in the south of the city. That's at least thirty minutes from here. Yet while Elsa has been back, Serena has somehow 'run into' her two or three times in this neighborhood.
You really think every one of those was coincidence?"
Alexander was not stupid. He understood exactly what Lucas was implying.
Lucas smirked.
"If I'm right, Serena is about to tell you she just happened to be passing by, recognized your license plate, and came over to say hello."
With that, Lucas got out of the car.
Serena tapped on Alexander's window.
"What a coincidence, Alexander. I was just passing by, saw your license plate, and came over to say hello."
Alexander frowned.
Serena noticed his expression and became cautious.
"Could I get in and talk to you for a minute?"
After a brief hesitation, he nodded.
She got into the car and took a child's drawing from her bag.
"Ethan's teacher gave them a holiday assignment. The whole family is supposed to work together on a family portrait. Ethan secretly drew you into it. I helped him with some of the details. Would you color a little of it?"
Alexander didn't take the drawing or crayons she offered.
Instead, he asked, "You've been coming to this area often lately?"
Serena's eyes shifted.
She recovered quickly.
"Not often. Every day for the past few days."
When he looked at her questioningly, she explained, "My sister-in-law's parents live nearby. Something happened in their family, so I've been coming over to help."
The suspicion in Alexander's eyes slowly faded.
His tone softened.
"Serena, I shouldn't be in Ethan's family portrait. There are truths a child needs to know. You can't hide everything from him."
The smile on Serena's face stiffened.
She studied Alexander's expression, then let her eyes redden.
"Ethan was never supposed to come into this world. He's suffered since before he was born, just like me. He dreams of having a father. You know what I went through for you during those six years. I don't think I'll ever have the courage to marry again. Just let him have this one small wish.
I promise there won't be another time."
She held out the crayon again.
Alexander's eyelashes lowered.
After a long silence, he accepted it.
He carefully colored the family portrait in bright shades.
When he finished, he handed it back.
Serena knew better than to push further. She got out of the car immediately.
She watched Alexander drive away, satisfaction curving her lips.
As long as Ethan existed, he would always remind Alexander of the sacrifices Serena claimed to have made for him.
Lucas was sitting on the hood of his sports car nearby.
He looked at her with undisguised distaste.
"You can scheme until you're old and gray. You'll still never enter the Horton family. Be smart and stop while you can."
Serena looked around, then walked toward him with an open smile.
"Lucas, we've known each other for years. Why have you always been so hostile to me?"
Lucas spread his hands.
"I'm not hostile to you. I just don't like standing near dirty things."
Serena's face tightened.
But Lucas was Alexander's closest friend. She couldn't afford to offend him.
"I know you and Miss Winters grew up together. I understand why you defend her."
Lucas cut her off.
"Alexander and Elsa haven't divorced. Calling her 'Miss Winters' every sentence makes your ambition a little obvious."
Serena's expression darkened.
"Lucas, Alexander and I have a child. Is it wrong for a child to want to see his father?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Does the child want to see him, or do you?"
Caught, Serena looked away.
"I only happened to pass by. I haven't forced Alexander to divorce, and I never intended to destroy his marriage. Alexander takes care of Ethan and me because he feels responsible. None of us did anything wrong. Fate is what went wrong."