Chapter 268
Chapter 268:
“I’m just trying to take care of you, El,” Anson said, setting the mug on the nightstand. “He’s so temperamental, isn’t he? Hanging up just because I brought you a drink p>
“Don’t call me El,” Eliza snapped. “Get out. Get out of my room p>
Anson raised both hands in surrender. “Okay. Okay. Drink the milk. It helps.” He turned and walked out, closing the door softly behind him.
In the hallway, his expression shifted. The concern evaporated, replaced by a cold, satisfied sneer. He pulled out his phone. Suki had been on his payroll for months — a ghost in the machine, studying Eliza’s mannerisms, her walk, her style. A quick review of the estate’s security feed from Eliza’s arrival had confirmed her attire. The rest had been simple theater.
He typed a message to Suki.
Phase one complete. You’re up.
Eliza threw her clothes into her bag without bothering to fold them. She had to get back to the penthouse. She had to explain.
She tried Dallas’s cell again. Straight to voicemail. Desperate, she dialed the landline at the penthouse.
𝘙e𝖺d f𝘳𝘦е 𝗻ove𝗹𝘴 oո
“Hello p>
It was Azalea. Her voice was thick and wet. She had been crying.
“Azalea?” Eliza zipped her bag shut. “Is Dallas there p>
“He left,” Azalea sobbed into the receiver. “He came out of the study and smashed a bottle of wine against the wall. Red wine. It’s everywhere. It looks like a murder scene p>
“Where did he go?” Eliza asked, her heart hammering.
“I don’t know!” Azalea wailed. “He just stormed out. He looked scary, Eliza. Like he wanted to hurt someone p>
“Why are you crying?” Eliza paused. “Are you okay p>
“Forrest—” Azalea hiccuped. “Forrest is leaving. He joined Doctors Without Borders. He’s going to Africa next week. He broke up with me. He said we’re on ‘different paths p>
“Oh, Azalea…” Eliza felt a pang of sympathy, but she couldn’t hold onto it. “I’m coming home. Stay there p>
“We’re cursed,” Azalea wept. “The Kochs are cursed. Nobody stays p>
Eliza hung up. She grabbed her bag and ran downstairs.
Outside, the sky had broken open. Rain lashed against the windows of the manor, and thunder rolled in the distance.
Anson was waiting in the foyer.
“Where are you going?” he asked, stepping into her path.
“Home,” Eliza said, attempting to push past him. “Move, Anson p>
“It’s pouring. The roads are dangerous,” he said, his voice perfectly reasonable. “Wait until morning p>
“I don’t trust you,” Eliza said. “I need to talk to my husband p>
Anson laughed softly. “Talk? You think talking will fix what he thinks he saw p>
“He saw nothing!” Eliza snapped. “He heard you being a creep p>
“He saw a man in your bedroom at night,” Anson corrected her. “And now—” He glanced toward the large bay window overlooking the garden. “Now he’s going to see something else p>
“What are you talking about?” Eliza frowned.
Anson didn’t answer. He simply pointed to the window.
Eliza looked. The garden was pitch black, the rain turning the world into a blur. She saw nothing but her own reflection and the dark shapes of the hedges.
“There’s nothing there,” she said.