Chapter 447

“Alexander’s got a last-minute meeting upstairs. Come on in,” Esme said with a smile, leading Elizabeth inside as if she owned the place. Elizabeth watched Esme; she seemed quite at home here. Esme poured some water for Elizabeth and invited her to sit down. These were all things Elizabeth used to do in this house, but now Esme was doing them. Esme handed Elizabeth the glass of water. Elizabeth just watched quietly as Esme waited for her to take it. As soon as Elizabeth took it, it would mean she acknowledged Esme as the lady of the house.

Others might not care, but for Esme, it was a big deal. Elizabeth looked at the offered glass, feeling a pang of sadness. She forced a smile and took it. “Thanks.” Esme’s eyes lit up instantly. She’d never been so happy when someone took water from her, but if it was Elizabeth, it was a whole different story. Elizabeth took a sip and put the glass down.

Esme was about to leave to grab something, but seeing Elizabeth, she decided to stay. She took off her light jacket and sat across from Elizabeth, starting a conversation. “You going to the party tonight too?”

“Yeah,” Elizabeth glanced upstairs. She wondered how long Alexander’s meeting would last. If it took too long, she’d leave first. She didn’t want to chat with Alexander’s current girlfriend in what used to be her home.

“Ms. Percy, make yourself at home. Help yourself to anything you want,” Esme said, playing the gracious hostess. Elizabeth looked at the fruit platter on the coffee table and smiled slightly. She picked up an orange and was about to peel it when she heard Esme speak. She slowly looked up and noticed Esme wearing a particularly beautiful butterfly necklace.

Elizabeth paused. She looked at the necklace and frowned. It looked like the one Alexander had bought at an auction abroad.

Esme lowered her head, touched the necklace, and a happy smile spread across her face. She looked up at Elizabeth, her eyes full of warmth. “This necklace was a gift from Alexander. He was so shy about it that he left it on the coffee table instead of giving it to me directly. It’s a pity I don’t like butterflies. If it were a moon or star pattern, I would have loved it.”

Elizabeth listened, her eyes gradually dimming. Butterflies were wonderful; they emerged anew after breaking out of their cocoons. Elizabeth liked butterflies because they symbolized rebirth after breaking out of a cocoon. They were beautiful, strong, and free. Elizabeth lowered her eyes and smiled lightly. She thought, ‘Wasn’t this necklace promised to be sold to me? But now it’s with Esme. Alexander has no boundaries when it comes to her and is willing to break all his promises.’

“Elizabeth,” Esme suddenly called gently. Elizabeth moved her lips but didn’t respond. Esme asked, “Do you know why Alexander likes me?” Elizabeth didn’t understand. Esme asked again, “For the past three years, can you guess why Alexander has been spoiling me without any limits?”

“Love you,” Elizabeth could only answer with these two words. Love conquered all. If it wasn’t love, who would spoil her all the time?

“Actually, he doesn’t love me,” Esme’s eyes stared straight at Elizabeth. Esme had known for a long time that Alexander didn’t love her. His love for Esme was all based on the lie that she had saved him. The person Alexander truly loved was Elizabeth. It was Esme who forcibly took Elizabeth away from Alexander. But even though she had taken Alexander, she couldn’t get his heart. This made her extremely dissatisfied.

“Elizabeth,” Esme suddenly grabbed Elizabeth’s wrist, a hint of malice flashing in her eyes. “Tonight, I won’t let Elizabeth leave alive,” Esme thought.