Chapter 53

Elizabeth’s mind was a mess; she didn’t even notice Alexander tailing them. Joseph boored it, trying to shake Alexander. But Alexander kept up. They sped up the overpass, rain hammering the windshield. Elizabeth caught a glimpse of Alexander’s car in the rearview mirror. She turned to look.

“Alexander’s following us,” Joseph said.

“What’s he doing here? Didn’t he take Esme home?” Elizabeth wondered. “Maybe he’s just on the way.”

Joseph wasn’t buying it. The way Alexander was pushing it, he was definitely not just passing by. The two cars raced on the overpass, Alexander’s skills keeping him neck and neck with Joseph.

Elizabeth looked at Alexander and felt a flicker of warmth. If he was really following them, did that mean he still cared, even a little? Elizabeth tried not to get her hopes up. People get let down when they expect too much! She dropped her gaze and stopped staring at Alexander’s…

Once they got off the overpass, his car stopped following. Elizabeth glanced at the rearview mirror, feeling a pang of disappointment. Yep, he wasn’t following them, just happened to be on the same road for a bit.

She couldn’t help but think about her and Alexander. He never loved her; their marriage was just a three-year deal. She leaned against the window, staring outside, lost in thought. Joseph was also puzzled that Alexander hadn’t followed. Was he really not following? What was Alexander up to?

Raindrops hammered the glass, making a sharp sound. Alexander rolled down his window, letting the rain and breeze clear his head. He was losing it. Chasing Elizabeth’s car in the middle of the night? He’d always been cold to her. Now that they were divorcing, why did it matter who she was with?

Alexander took a deep breath and lit a cigarette. The dim car light cast shadows, and he frowned, knowing tonight’s actions were out of character, leaving him with a strange feeling he couldn’t shake. He leaned back, arm on the window. The cigarette’s glow faded, snuffed out by the rain.

Alexander’s phone buzzed. A text from Esme: Did you get home?

He replied: [Yeah]

Esme: [Thanks for taking me home in the rain. I’m really touched. I love you.]

Alexander read it, but felt nothing. Every time Esme said “I love you,” it left him cold. But when Elizabeth mentioned she loved Joseph, it hit him hard. He swallowed and ignored Esme’s text.

The rain poured all night. When Elizabeth got home, the living room lights were still on. She was sneaking upstairs when Declan’s voice came from the kitchen. “Elizabeth?”

She peeked in. Declan was cooking. Declan came out with a plate of roast chicken. “Where were you? The…