“Clearly, it’s my body’s natural defense mechanism,” Sandra stated.

This revelation perfectly aligned with Elijah’s earlier suspicions. However, even with her admission, he remained resistant. “Who knows what kind of game you’re playing this time?” he remarked skeptically.

Sandra was momentarily speechless. “Why bother speculating? Just sign the divorce papers, and let’s end this,” she countered sharply.

Elijah fastened his shirt, shooting her a skeptical glance. “Do you think divorce is as casual as calling off a fling? Something you can decide on a whim and reverse? Or do you fancy yourself the ruler of the courthouse?”

Sandra’s laugh held a note of irritation. “How did I overlook the size of your ego? What part of anything I’ve said even hints at wanting to reconcile? If you’re so worried, we can include a clause barring us from ever remarrying.”

“This is pointless. I have better things to do than argue with you,” Elijah said curtly, leaving the room.

Alone, Sandra sat on the bed, piecing together fragments of the previous night. She had been violently ill. Knowing Elijah’s usual self-absorption, she wondered why he hadn’t left her to clean up the mess. Yet, somehow, they’d ended up back in the same bed. Could he have stayed to care for her?

Before she could ponder further, the door opened. It was Willow, Elijah’s recently hired housekeeper. She entered with an air of entitlement, muttering about her workload. Seeing Sandra awake, Willow immediately voiced her complaints.

“I cleaned you up and put you in the guest room last night. How on earth did you end up back here in the master bedroom?”

Sandra, with no memory of the events after vomiting and passing out, stood defiantly. “This is my bedroom. Why wouldn’t I be here?”

Willow smirked disdainfully. “Because Mr. James specifically instructed me otherwise. He brought you home, handed you over, and insisted I clean you up and keep you in the guest room, saying he didn’t want his space dirtied. I left once you were asleep. I didn’t expect you’d sneak back in. Honestly, keeping up with you is exhausting.”

Sandra froze, a sharp realization piercing her.