A brief, tense clenching of Sandra's hands quickly yielded to a sly smirk. She had deliberately brought Elijah along, eager to flaunt her triumph. Sandra aimed to demonstrate to Elizabeth that she had not only stolen Elizabeth's man but also secured the coveted leading role.

Hastily masking her emotions, Sandra tugged Elijah's sleeve, feigning surprise. "Why, what's Ms. Campbell doing here?"

Snapping out of his reverie, Elijah responded with cool detachment, "She's had years of luxury, but this rough patch might be the reality check she needs. Perhaps she can't handle it and is considering crawling back to me." He was acutely aware of Elizabeth's circumstances. She had been living in a hotel, deliberately leaving all her belongings at their shared home; actions that seemed more a petulant withdrawal from a lack of attention than a genuine attempt at divorce. In his view, Elizabeth's life of indulgence had ill-prepared her for independent living after their separation. Her sudden appearance, to him, was simply an acknowledgment of her inability to cope, perhaps even a sign of remorse. Considering Elizabeth's habit of tracking his movements during their marriage, her presence here was unsurprising.

In the lobby, Elizabeth lingered by the vending machine, eyeing the Coke cans. Initially planning to buy one, she changed her mind and decided on two.

"Elijah, it really means a lot that you took the time to meet me here," Sandra said, her voice tinged with gratitude and unease. "Am I interrupting anything? I know how busy you usually are."

Just then, Sandra's soft voice drifted from behind Elizabeth. Though gentle, her words were unmistakable in the stillness of the lobby. Elizabeth turned to see Elijah smoothing Sandra's coat with a tender gesture, reassuring her warmly, "It's no problem. My recent business trips kept me away, and I haven't had much time to be with you. Now that I'm back, I'm focused on making sure you're okay. Everything else can wait."

A tremor seized Elizabeth's hand as she reached for the money slot—a physical manifestation of her inner turmoil. Was it heartache, or something deeper? She felt utterly out of place, an intruder in their world. The scene was almost absurd: still legally married, their divorce unresolved, yet he openly displayed affection for another woman. Bitterness clenched her heart as she wondered about her place in Elijah's life.

Frustration overwhelmed her, almost choking her. She pressed her lips together, her fingers curling into a fist, her eyes fixed on the vending machine with steely determination. Pressing the button firmly, she watched two cans of Coke rattle into the chute. Bending down, she retrieved the first; as her hand reached for the second, a large hand snatched it away. Without turning, she knew it was Elijah.

She inhaled deeply, steadied herself, and gave him a sharp, icy stare. "Do you need something?" she asked, her voice laced with cold disdain.

Elijah turned the can over. "Oh, come on. Since you went out of your way to find me here, why pretend it's a coincidence? Here you are, pulling sodas from a vending machine, living out of a budget hotel—looks like you've embraced a simpler life," he remarked with mock sympathy, raising an eyebrow.

Elizabeth returned his gaze with disbelief, her eyes sweeping over him dismissively. "Are you alright?" she asked, her tone thick with incredulity.

From behind, a disapproving voice cut through the tension. "Elijah, how can you speak to her like that? She is still, technically, your wife," Sandra scolded, her brow furrowed as she approached. Turning to Elizabeth, Sandra attempted a consoling tone. "Ms. Campbell, please, don't take his words too seriously. You know how quickly his temper flares." Sandra's presence, exuding unwelcome superiority, only deepened Elizabeth's discomfort.