Chapter 226: I don’t want to move into the mansion.

Elena dialed Elias.

The call connected almost instantly.

"My love, is dinner over already?"

A small smile curled her lips. "Yes. Come and take me home."

"I’m on my way."

Elena slipped her phone back into her bag and walked toward the gate. Just then, a familiar car pulled up.

She froze.

The door opened, and Elias stepped out.

"Elias!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

He smiled as he walked toward her. "I’m here."

Elena glanced at his car, then back at him.

"You’ve been waiting for me here?"

She had thought he was still at the head office, buried in work. "When did you come?"

"When I texted you."

Her fingers went to her lips. "So you’ve been waiting for me all this time? Why didn’t you tell me? I would have come out earlier."

His smile widened. "I didn’t want to interrupt your dinner."

He took both her hands in his. "How was the food?"

Elena lowered her gaze and shook her head. "I didn’t eat."

The smile disappeared from his face. "Why? What happened? Did she upset you?"

"No." Elena remained calm. "I never intended to have dinner with her. I only wanted to hear what she had to say. That’s why I went."

Elias gently brushed his thumb over the back of her hand. "What did she say?"

"Nothing new. The same apology. The same regret." Elena sighed. "But it’s too late. I don’t need her apology anymore. Once, I wanted her to regret what she did. Now she does. She knows she made a mistake. She regrets leaving me."

Her eyes drifted into the distance. "But it doesn’t matter anymore."

Elias pulled her gently into his arms.

"The past is over. I know those memories will still hurt sometimes, but we’ll make new ones together. Ones filled with happiness."

Elena smiled and rested her head against his chest.

"I haven’t eaten either," Elias added. "And I’m starving. Come on. Let’s get something to eat."

She giggled. "Alright. I’ll go wherever you take me."

Elias opened the car door for her and helped her inside before walking around to the driver’s seat.

~~~~~~~~

They soon arrived at a restaurant. It was a modest restaurant, away from the city.

After settling at a quiet table, Elena looked around. She wondered why he had chosen this simple restaurant when they could go to any luxurious one in the city.

"Anything special about this place?" she asked, looking back at him.

"I heard the food here is good. So I thought we should try." Elias picked up the menu. "For you, something light and healthy."

Elena leaned closer to see what he was choosing.

He ordered grilled salmon with steamed vegetables, brown rice, and a fresh salad. He also asked for a bowl of vegetable soup and a glass of fresh fruit juice without added sugar.

"You’ve become very strict about my food," Elena teased.

"You are carrying our twins. I’m allowed to be careful."

Elena smiled. Then she took the menu from him. "And now I’m ordering yours."

She chose grilled steak, sautéed mushrooms, and a rich chocolate dessert.

Elias raised an eyebrow. "You remembered I like chocolate dessert?"

"Of course, I do."

He chuckled. "You didn’t have to do that. I can eat whatever you like."

Elena met his gaze. "You don’t have to give up the food you love just to make me happy. You should eat what you like."

A soft laugh escaped him. "For that alone, I can fulfill anything you demand."

He leaned closer. "Tell me. What do you want? A dress? A bag? A car? Or a house?"

Elena giggled. "Nothing. I don’t need any of that." She linked her arm with his and leaned against his shoulder. "I only need you."

"You already have me." He wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head.

Across the room, the waitress carrying their food suddenly froze.

It was Tessa.

Her eyes widened when she recognized Elena.

’Elena?’

She stared at the couple.

Elena looked happy. Elias was looking at her as if she were the only person in the room.

Tessa’s fingers tightened around the tray.

’You ruined my life, took everything I had, and now you’re living happily with a rich man.’

The resentment she had buried for so long surged back.

’I struggled just to survive while you kept getting everything. First, the Sinclair family’s support. And now Elias Rowan is completely devoted to you.’

Her jaw tightened.

’How can you have such an easy life while I have to fight for every dollar?’

She wished she could kill her right there. But she swallowed the anger.

’I’ll find a way to take my revenge.’

Lowering her head, she walked toward their table.

Elena and Elias were absorbed in their conversation and barely noticed her.

"I’m serious, Elena," Elias said persuasively. "Come on. We need this break. You’ll love it."

Elena picked up her water and took a sip, smiling without answering.

Tessa deliberately moved slowly as she placed the dishes on the table.

"It’s a beautiful private island I acquired recently," Elias continued. "Just say yes, and I’ll arrange the jet."

Elena smirked. "You seem quite free, Mr. Rowan."

"For you, I’m always free."

Tessa placed the last dish down. "Enjoy your meal, sir."

She flashed Elias a smile.

Elena looked up. Something about the waitress caught her attention. But before she could see her face, Tessa had already turned away.

Elena watched her retreating figure.

"What?" Elias glanced behind them. "Do you know her?"

Elena shook her head.

"I didn’t see her face. I’m not sure. But her voice sounded familiar. I feel like I’ve heard it before."

"I see."

Elias gave the waitress another thoughtful glance before turning back to Elena.

"Maybe she is someone you knew from school. If you want, I can find out who she is."

Elena smiled. "There is no need. Don’t waste your time on a waitress."

She pulled her plate closer and began eating.

Elias joined her.

From across the restaurant, Tessa watched them.

"They are going on vacation," she muttered. Her fingers curled into fists.

The sight of Elena’s happiness only fed her resentment.

’Enjoy it while you can.’

She turned away and walked toward the staff area.

The moment she was out of sight, she pulled out her phone and searched for the island Elias had recently acquired.

Information about the private island was limited, but there was enough online for her to identify its location and the plans surrounding it.

A slow, dangerous smile appeared on her lips. "Go ahead, Elena. Enjoy yourself. I’ll make sure it’s your last vacation."

"So, are you coming with me to the island?" Elias asked again.

Elena put down her fork and looked at him. "I’m not going, Elias."

His face fell.

"The project has just launched. The team needs me. I can’t abandon them right now."

"Hmm..." Elias leaned back in his chair. "You are becoming just like me before we got married. Work, work, and more work."

He pointed lightly toward her stomach. "But don’t forget, my dear wife, you are carrying my twins. You can’t bury yourself under work."

Elena placed a hand over her abdomen. "I remember. And I’m taking good care of our babies."

When she looked at him again, her eyes were full of guilt. "Are you upset that I rejected your proposal?"

"A little," he pouted.

"How about we send Evelyn and Ian to the island instead?"

His eyes immediately lit up.

"They’ve just reconciled. They need this more than we do."

"Alright. I can arrange that. But only on one condition."

"What?"

"You’ll make time for a vacation with me." He leaned closer, his expression suddenly serious. "No work. No excuses."

Elena couldn’t help laughing. "Deal. Give me one month. Then we can go."

Only then did Elias smile. He picked up his phone and dialed Owen.

"I want to prepare a surprise for Eve and Ian."

~~~~~~~~

At the hospital...

"Good morning." Evelyn entered the hospital room with a bright smile on her face.

Ian was reading a medical journal. He put it aside and looked up at her.

"You look radiant today."

"Because I am happy," Evelyn said. She set the lunch box on the side table. "You are getting discharge today."

A smile touched Ian’s lips as he reached for her hand. "Will you come with me to my apartment?"

"We are going to the Rowan family mansion. From now on, you are staying there with us."

She said those words casually. She opened the lunch box without noticing the way Ian’s expression changed.

"I know how much you love mushroom soup." She handed him a spoon. "I made it especially for you. Come on. Eat while it’s still warm."

Ian looked at the bowl for a moment before scooping up a spoonful. He tasted it.

"How is it?" she asked eagerly. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Ian gave a slow nod. "Good."

Evelyn’s smile faltered. Something was wrong. She studied his face for a moment.

"If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. No one is forcing you."

She tried to snatch the box from him.

"Wait." Ian quickly pulled it closer. "I said I love it."

"Then why don’t you look happy?" She scowled at him.

He looked at Evelyn, unsure of how she would react. "Because..." He hesitated. "I don’t want to move into the mansion."