Chapter 174
Effie quickly changed the subject with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So, the necklace has a name now. What about my pocket watch?”
Lyman reached into his pocket and pulled out the antique watch, his thumb tracing the intricate vine design etched on the cover. “How about we call it ‘Witness of Time’?”
“Witness of Time?” Effie repeated, her voice soft with curiosity.
He gently drew her closer, their foreheads touching. “To mark every moment we share together.”
On New Year’s Eve, some people are cheerful, while others are restless.
In theory, a new year should mean a fresh start for everyone—a time of joy, hope, and celebration. But Mitchell was anything but happy.
In fact, he was downright miserable.
Suzan was pregnant, and for the time being, she was staying with the Lloyd family.
The Lloyds treated her like a treasure, tending to her every need with painstaking
care.
Suzan, for her part, absorbed all the attention without a hint of guilt, luxuriating in their concern. She also kept a close eye on Mitchell, tightening her grip on his every move.
Ever since she found out she was expecting, Mitchell hadn’t been allowed to set foot outside.
He was growing more irritable by the day.
And when he saw Effie shopping for men’s gifts just a couple of days ago— something she used to do only for him-his mood soured even further.
The more he dwelled on it, the more resentment bubbled up inside him. Finally, unable to bear it, he slipped out, leaving Suzan behind.
By the time Suzan realized he was gone, Mitchell was already lost in the dizzying chaos of a downtown bar, drinking himself into oblivion.
At some point, he pulled out his phone and dialed Effie’s number.
It was all he wanted to do in that drunken haze.
Normally, Mitchell’s pride would never have allowed it. But tonight, with enough alcohol swirling in his veins to dull his shame, he let the impulse take over and called her.
Effie was standing by the window, lost in thought, when her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the screen, brow furrowing in surprise. Mitchell? Why would he be calling? There was nothing left between them-no reason to talk.
Still, the phone kept ringing, and with Lyman in the shower, she knew Mitchell would only keep trying if she ignored him. After a brief hesitation, Effie answered, her voice cool and guarded. “Hello? What do you want?”
A blast of deafening music and rowdy voices thundered down the line, nearly drowning out Mitchell’s slurred greeting. “Effie… Happy New Year. Where… where are you?”
“I’m at home.” Her tone was calm and detached. “You’re drunk. You must have dialed the wrong number. There’s nothing left for us to say. Please don’t call me again it’s making my life difficult.”
“I… I’m not drunk!” Mitchell insisted, punctuating his denial with a hiccup. “Why… why did you marry someone else? You used to… you used to love me more than anyone.”
Effie pressed her lips together, annoyance flickering across her face. “Mitchell, that’s not funny. I’m married now. The man I love is my husband. Please respect that, and don’t call me again.”
With that, she hung up.
Mitchell was out of his mind.
How had she never seen this side of him before?
Just then, Lyman stepped out of the bathroom, towel draped casually around his neck. He couldn’t help but smile, having overheard Effie’s candid words.
Well done. She was getting better at this-her confession had come so naturally, so sincerely.
For someone as reserved as Effie, hearing those words wasn’t easy. He never thought he’d actually get to hear them from her. But here they were.
And he could only guess who had been on the other end of that call.
Mitchell really must have too much time on his hands if he’s pestering my wife, Lyman thought with a cold, inward smirk. Once the holidays are over, he’d have to remind Mitchell of a few boundaries.
Seeing Effie hang up, Lyman composed himself and strolled out as if nothing had happened. He kept his tone casual. “Was that anyone important?”
Effie shook herself from her thoughts, a faint smile curving her lips. “Just someone who doesn’t matter.”