Chapter 256
Chapter 256:
“It is a sham! A contract! She loves me!” Anson paced the room, his hands raking through his hair. “She’s confused. She’s scared p>
“She returned your ring, Anson,” Victoria said softly. “Claudine told me before she left for the airport p>
Anson froze mid-step. The color drained from his face. “She… returned it p>
“She didn’t even touch it,” Victoria said, pity settling in her eyes. “She left it on the table. She walked away from it p>
“No,” Anson muttered, his eyes going wild. “She’s been manipulated. Dallas is forcing her. He’s brainwashing her p>
Victoria clutched her chest. The strain of the argument hit her like a physical blow. Her breath hitched and turned into a gasp.
“Victoria!” Edward rushed to her side, seizing her hand.
She collapsed back against the cushions, wheezing. “My heart p>
Anson stood frozen, watching his mother struggle to breathe, his mind still snagged on the ring. His obsession was hurting the only people left who cared about him.
“Call the doctor!” Victoria gasped. “And call Eliza p>
“Why Eliza?” Anson asked, his voice hollow.
𝖸𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖽𝖺і𝘭𝘆 𝘥о𝘀e 𝘰𝗳 𝗇ov𝗲𝗅𝗌 𝗼n
“Because I need to make peace,” Victoria wheezed, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. “Before I… before it gets worse. I need to see her p>
Forty minutes later, in the back of the Rolls Royce, Eliza stared out the window as the city gave way to the manicured lawns of the old money estates. Her phone rested on her lap, silent after the call from Edward.
Is she okay? Eliza had asked when he called.
Stable, Edward had said. But she wants to see you. And Dallas. To discuss the dowry. And to say sorry.
Eliza glanced at Dallas now. He was reading a report on his tablet, his face impassive.
“You don’t have to go,” she said. “I can do this alone p>
Dallas didn’t look up. “She raised you. We go. But we do it on my terms.” He swiped to the next page.
“We will settle the debt,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “Once and for all. You walked out of that house a victim. You walk back in as Mrs. Koch p>
Eliza felt a knot tighten in her stomach. Returning to the Hyde house felt like stepping back into a cage she had chewed her way out of. The smell of the polish, the sound of the clocks — it all triggered a visceral reaction she couldn’t reason away.
Then she looked at Dallas. He set the tablet down and reached over, covering her hand with his. His palm was warm, rough with calluses, and it grounded her.
“I’m with you,” he said. “Let them try to rattle the cage. I’ll tear the bars down p>
Eliza took a slow breath. She wasn’t a scared girl anymore. And this time, she was bringing the lion with her.
“Okay,” she said. “Let’s go finish it p>
The Hyde living room smelled of lavender and decay. Eliza sat on the velvet sofa, her posture rigid. Dallas sat beside her, his arm draped across the back of the seat, his fingers resting near her shoulder — a casual, deliberate display of ownership.