Hestia immediately shook her head. "When I was with Eltham, we never crossed any lines. The child isn't his."
That was the confirmation the assistant had been waiting for. "Ms. Bennett, you better watch yourself."
After the assistant left, Hestia stared at the bank card on the table, feeling as if all the strength had been drained from her body. She collapsed into a chair, shaking, covering her face, unable to utter a single word. The word was out, Hestia had been found.
Nathan got wind of the situation swiftly.
He arrived at Hestia's rented flat just as she was packing up.
"Ms. Bennett, what are you doing?"
Hestia zipped up her bag. "Nathan, you're here."
Noticing the nearly packed bags, Nathan frowned. "Ms. Bennett, I'm sorry. I failed to protect you."
"It's not on you."
Hestia stood up. "Eltham's people got to me. They want me out of Craneville."
She paused. "I know you were hoping to use me to drive a wedge between Eltham and Ms. Lynette, but it seems my presence didn't make much of a difference."
It was clear Eltham didn't want to see her again.
Nathan was taken aback by Hestia's awareness of their intentions. "Ms. Bennett..."
"Nathan, thank you for helping me," Hestia expressed her gratitude. "But I'm sorry, I can't help you. Twila and I can't stay in Craneville."
She was well aware of Eltham's tactics.
If they stayed, there wouldn't be any peace for them, and if Eltham discovered Twila's origins, things would only get harder for them both!
Nathan couldn't bear to let Hestia go but didn't want to see them suffer either.
"Ms. Bennett, why don't you head to Imperial City?"
Nathan offered a compromise. "I have plenty of friends there. Whether you're looking to settle or replace work, they could help you."
Hestia was immensely grateful but didn't want to impose on Nathan any further. "Nathan, I appreciate your kindness, but it's not necessary. I want to take Twila to a new city." Nathan said no more.
...
The assistant returned to the mansion and reported to Eltham: "Hestia has booked the earliest flight out. She'll be leaving as quickly as possible." Eltham nodded. "Understood."
"Your Highness, are you really not going to see Ms. Bennett again?"
The assistant had witnessed the intensity of Eltham and Hestia's relationship firsthand and felt a pang of regret. He had thought Hestia might end up marrying Eltham.
en Narugi
But unfortunately, Hestia wasn't so simple.
And Eltham wasn't so deeply in love.
"Bri's been off her food lately. Go replace some chefs from Imperial City. I want to learn a few dishes myself."
Eltham's response was clear.
The assistant nodded. "Yes."
Brittany was unaware of Hestia's existence. Waking up to a delicious smell, she went downstairs and stumbled upon Eltham busily cooking in the kitchen.
He'd been cooking a lot lately.
Initially, he made dishes typical of Craneville, which were bland for Brittany's taste.
Then he started making more Imperial City dishes, many of which were Brittany's favorites. Seeing her gradually start eating more and appearing to be in a better mood was a relief.
en Narugi
Brittany stood at the kitchen entrance. "Don't we have chefs for this?"
Why bother cooking himself?
Eltham kept working. "I've got nothing better to do, might as well make myself useful."
Brittany was noncommittal.
Walking to the dining room, Eltham followed with the meal, urging her to eat up. Brittany had a few bites before stopping. "How's the online chatter?"
She had fallen asleep soon after returning from the hospital and had just remembered the backlash she was facing.
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