Chapter 85: Theron’s blunt challenge

But Elowen didn’t want to bother him any further. "Mr. Knox, you should go back to the office. You probably have a lot of work waiting for you."

Theron didn’t move.

"I’m fine now. Besides, I’ve already informed my husband that I’m at the hospital. He’ll be here soon."

The moment she mentioned her husband, something dark stirred within him. However, his expression remained unchanged.

’It’s me who brought her here, arranged the doctor, and took care of her. But she is thinking about Soren, the man who doesn’t care about her! She even called him. She is waiting for him.’

Theron hated it. He hated how easily he occupied a place in her life that he could only dream of having. He hated that Elowen’s first instinct was to seek comfort from another man, even after everything Soren had put her through.

For a fleeting moment, Theron wished Soren wouldn’t come. He wanted more time alone with her. He wanted to be the person she depended on, the one she looked for when she was frightened or unwell.

Why did it have to be Soren?

He wanted to ask her how she could rely on a man who had hurt her so deeply. He wanted to make her understand that he would never treat her that way.

But he held back. When he spoke, his tone was calm. "I’ll leave when I’m sure you are fine."

"There is really no need. You have done enough by bringing me here."

"Then let me do this much." His voice softened. "You nearly collapsed in front of me. Do you expect me to walk away as if nothing has happened?"

Elowen looked at him, slightly taken aback. She wanted him to leave before Soren appeared. She was afraid Soren would be furious if he found Theron here.

But Theron seemed determined to stay. He gave her a faint smile. He didn’t intend to leave.

Elowen let out a small sigh.

The hospital door suddenly opened. Soren hurried inside, his face pale with worry. He didn’t see Theron sitting on the sofa. His eyes were on Elowen.

He rushed to her bedside and pulled her into his arms.

"Are you alright? How are you feeling? What happened? And the baby... Is the baby okay?"

His voice strained with fear. His arms tightened around her as though he needed to feel her in his embrace to believe she was safe.

Elowen gently placed her hands on his back.

"Soren, calm down. I’m fine."

"How can I calm down when I heard you were hospitalized?" He pulled back just enough to examine her face. "Did you feel any pain? What did the doctor say?"

"I was a little dizzy. The doctor checked me, and everything is fine. The baby is fine, too."

Soren’s gaze dropped to her stomach. He placed his palm over it, his expression filled with relief and lingering fear.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "The doctor said I need rest. That’s all."

He let out a shaky breath and kissed her forehead. "Then you will take a few days off from work," he murmured against her skin.

Theron’s fist tightened on his knee. Watching Soren kiss Elowen’s forehead felt like a blade twisting inside his chest. He could barely stay still on the sofa.

Every instinct screamed at him to pull Soren away from her.

A few days off?

Theron wouldn’t allow that. If Elowen stopped coming to the office, how would he see her? How would he make sure she was okay? How would he have the chance to take care of her?

The thought of going several days without seeing her was unbearable.

He had already planned to arrange her schedule so she could work comfortably under his supervision. He had decided to make her days easier, to give her reasons to come to him whenever she needed anything.

And Soren wanted to take all of that away.

’No,’ he clenched his jaw, ’you won’t decide everything for her. You have already had seven years with her. You don’t deserve to keep her all for yourself.’

Elowen opened her mouth, but before she could respond, Theron spoke.

"That might not be necessary."

Soren stiffened at the unexpected voice. He whipped his head toward the source of the sound.

Theron was sitting on the sofa with one leg over the other, his posture relaxed, as if he was enjoying a show.

For a moment, Soren was taken aback. He had been so consumed by worry that he hadn’t even noticed his presence.

"Theron?" Soren’s eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?"

"He is the one who brought me to the hospital," Elowen explained. "I suddenly felt dizzy at the café, and he helped me."

"The café?" Soren raised an eyebrow. He looked at Elowen and then at Theron. "You took her to a café?"

"It was a short break," Theron replied. "We were discussing the presentation."

He sounded like it was a professional meeting, not hanging out with her.

But Soren knew perfectly well why Theron had taken Elowen out. The man had been looking for an excuse to spend time with her. But what infuriated Soren even more was the thought that Elowen might not have become dizzy if she had stayed at the office and taken a short break.

She was pregnant. She had already been working hard. Instead of allowing her to rest, Theron had taken her out for a selfish reason and discussed the presentation.

Soren’s expression changed. He wanted to demand an explanation. He wanted to make it clear that Theron had no right to get close to his wife.

But Elowen was right there, weak and stressed. He wouldn’t start an argument here and distress her further. He forced himself to suppress the anger.

"Thank you for bringing her here. I appreciate it."

Theron inclined his head. "You are welcome."

Outwardly, he remained composed. Inside, however, a storm was gathering.

He wanted nothing more than to throw Soren out of the room. He couldn’t stand watching him touch Elowen, speak to her so intimately, or act as though he alone had the right to worry about her.

But he couldn’t show it. Not in front of Elowen.

"Come outside. I need to speak with you." Soren didn’t wait for his response before walking out of the room.

Theron looked at Elowen before standing. "Get some rest. I’ll see you later."

He followed Soren out.

Elowen watched the door close behind them. She had no idea what was going on between the two men outside.

’Are they arguing? Is Soren hitting him again?’

A knot of uneasiness formed in her stomach. She shifted restlessly against the pillow, wondering whether she should get up and check on them.

Outside the room...

The moment they were alone, Soren grabbed his collar.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he demanded in a low, furious voice. "Why did you take my wife to the café?"

Theron didn’t look intimidated. He glanced down at Soren’s hands gripping his collar before slowly raising his eyes.

"Because I wanted to spend time with her," he replied, his tone flat.

He didn’t even try to hide his intention. There was not a trace of hesitation in his face, only resolution.

Soren’s grip tightened. "What did you say?" he hissed, gritting his teeth.

"You heard him." Theron’s voice was calm, almost chillingly so. "I wanted to spend time with Elowen. Is that hard to understand?"