Chapter 181

Had it only been a week since we last met? With the way he was acting, I thought an entire year had passed!

I couldn’t be bothered to respond to him. “It’s been a week because I didn’t want to see you. The old Elise would’ve never left your side. You simply got used to me throwing myself at you. Give it a month or two, and you’ll get used to my absence…” I said coldly.

His hands faltered before he pulled me firmly into his arms. “One week is pushing it,” he said, voice low and firm. “You’re coming home with me.”

I frowned and tried to struggle. “Why should I? I’m not going with you! This time, I’m moving out for good. I’ll never go back to that damned place again!”

He immediately let go of my hand and tilted my chin up. He looked at me with a soft, yet unyielding gaze. “That’s your home.”

“It’s not!”

I slapped his hand away. “That’s your home. That’s Alicia’s home! That’s your grandfather’s home! What does it have to do with me?”

His expression darkened in an instant. Perhaps he was losing his patience. He looked at me with growing impatience. “Elise, that’s your home.” He spoke, clearly emphasizing each word. “Alicia is just a temporary guest. How many times do I need to explain that to you?”

“I don’t need your explanation!” I shook off his hand. My gaze was indifferent. “If I cared about any of that, I wouldn’t have moved out of the Ford residence.”

I turned away. I no longer wanted to look at him. But Jonathan grabbed me by the wrist, refusing to let me go.

Frustrated, I tried to shake him off. “What exactly do you want from me, Jonathan?”

His patience was wearing thin. “Come home with me.” He repeated himself, but this time, it wasn’t a request. It was a command.

I gritted my teeth and shot him an icy glare. “No. What can you even do if I refuse?”

His grip tightened slowly as his eyes frosted over. “It’s because of Frederick, isn’t it?”

I took a deep breath. I was beyond fed up. “This has nothing to do with him! Maybe try looking at yourself for once!”

“Would he have stayed over if the two of you didn’t notice me?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I yanked my hand free, but he held on persistently. I shook him off again. However, he refused to let go.

I was too drained to fight back, so I let him hold me. “Can you not pick a fight for no reason?”

“I’m the one picking a fight?” He acted as if he’d heard something funny and tugged at his collar. He was still soaking wet. His eyes were dark. “Did you even ask for my permission when you started a company with him and moved out of the Ford residence?”

“Why the hell do I need your permission?” I found his words amusing. “Did you ever get my permission for anything you do at work? Did you get my consent before Alicia moved into the house? What right do you have to police what I do?”

My words made him pause. He was at a loss for words.

A long silence passed before he finally spoke. His voice was tinged with disappointment and coldness. “Are you doing this to get back at me?”

“I’m just treating you the same way you treated me. Why is it so hard for you to accept that?” I looked at him with genuine confusion. “Don’t you think you’re being incredibly hypocritical right now, Jonathan?”

“I’ve told you over and over. Alicia and Frederick are different! Frederick has feelings for you…”

“What about Alicia? Hasn’t she always had feelings for you?” I cut him off in displeasure.