At this, Kieran snickered from the side. He didn’t dare mock Clifton to his face, but it was clear he was enjoying the moment. The rule-enforcer was finally tasting his own medicine. Clifton shot Kieran a deadly glare. Kieran quickly bit his lip, shoulders trembling with suppressed laughter.
Elliana looked Clifton up and down, letting out a small laugh. “You can’t really complain, can you? You’re the one who made the rules. If you’re suffering, that’s on you.”
Clifton dropped his head in shame. He had always been the one preaching about rules—how they were sacred and unchangeable. Anyone who broke them, he’d said, was no better than a wild animal. And he’d rather die than be seen as one. So, even with his body screaming for rest, he refused to bend the rules he’d made.
Elliana knew all too well how stubborn he was. But she didn’t feel sorry for him and decided to let him wear himself out. She turned to Kieran. “Where’s Heather? Go get her—I’m starving!”
“I’m on it!” Kieran bolted out of the house. Clifton stayed behind, still scrubbing the floor, his breath heavy.
Elliana watched Clifton and sighed. He looked like he’d scrub the floor until it disappeared. But she said nothing. If he wanted to wear himself out, so be it. After some silent grumbling, Elliana walked into the dining room, sat at the table, and waited.
A few minutes later, Heather returned, holding a scruffy paper bundle and wearing a goofy, dazed grin. She blinked at Elliana. “What would you like to eat?”
Elliana stared at Heather. Kieran hadn’t been exaggerating—Heather had become silly. This giggling woman was a shadow of the sharp, sly beauty she usually was. What had happened to her?
Usually, Elliana ate what Heather had cooked, so being asked about what she wanted caught her off guard. “You haven’t decided what to make for me?” Elliana was beyond annoyed. Heather always served her meals hot and ready, without being told. But today, nothing was prepared. Why was she suddenly slacking?
Heather just stood there smiling as if her brain had taken a vacation. “Don’t you know what you want to eat?” she asked, still smiling.
Elliana’s eye twitched. Since when had Heather turned into another Hugh? She was tired, hungry, and in no mood to argue. “Just make me some noodles,” she muttered.
“Okay,” Heather said with a nod and wandered into the kitchen, still holding the shabby paper bundle, her silly smile never fading.
Fresh updates loaded gα?ησν?s?c?m
Elliana picked up her phone and began scrolling, trying to distract herself while she waited.
About ten minutes later, Heather came back and placed a plate of noodles in front of Elliana.
Elliana looked down and felt her irritation spike. Compared to the lavish feasts Heather usually served, this was far too plain. Heather used to make gourmet noodles—topped with juicy beef, tender chicken, or a perfect sunny-side-up egg. But today? Just plain noodles with a lazy splash of ketchup on top. A meal fit for a beggar.
Elliana had worked through the entire night and was now starving—so hungry it felt like her stomach was glued to her spine. After all that, this was what Heather brought her to eat? Elliana lifted her icy gaze, expecting at least a flicker of remorse from Heather. But Heather wasn’t even looking at her. She stood there, holding a crumpled paper bundle, grinning into space as if she’d just met a celebrity.
.
.
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