Elliana could decipher his miserable internal thoughts as easily as reading large print, and she felt no inclination whatsoever to cushion the harsh reality. “Just so we’re absolutely clear,” she stated with icy composure, “when I previously claimed to have feelings for you, I was simply joking. Don’t delude yourself into thinking otherwise. The only men who’ve ever genuinely captured my attention operate on Cole’s exceptional level.”
Her brutal honesty landed with devastating precision, causing Raylan’s posture to slump even further. Ever since Elliana had stopped.
Ever since Elliana had stopped concealing her authentic self—revealing her breathtaking appearance and her impressive array of achievements—he’d understood with perfect clarity that he existed far beneath her standards. It became remarkably easy to accept that she’d merely been playing games with him.
How could anyone as extraordinary and captivating as her possibly harbor genuine romantic feelings toward someone like him?
Having exhausted every last shred of tolerance for Raylan, Elliana turned decisively and proceeded directly into the Hudson family’s main residence, determined to locate Rosemarie.
Lenard held the position of the current patriarch of the Hudson family. As his legal spouse, Rosemarie theoretically should have been responsible for overseeing the family’s domestic operations, yet she harbored absolutely no enthusiasm for such responsibilities. She thoroughly disliked navigating complex family politics and actively avoided confrontational situations whenever possible, much preferring an existence characterized by peaceful isolation.
Lenard cherished Rosemarie completely and never pressured her into activities that caused her distress. Understanding her profound appreciation for tranquility, he’d arranged for her to have an exclusive courtyard containing a separate building designed specifically for her personal use.
Rosemarie seldom welcomed guests into her sanctuary, meaning the only consistent visitors to her private residence were Lenard himself and their son Quentin.
.com hosts great stories
The household butler escorted Elliana directly toward Rosemarie’s secluded courtyard, enabling her to bypass interactions with other Hudson family members completely. Once she entered the peaceful space, the butler withdrew respectfully, pulling the entrance door closed with barely a whisper of sound.
Rosemarie, wearing an understated, comfortable dress, sat beside an elegant coffee service. Her features transformed into an expression of genuine warmth upon spotting Elliana, and she indicated the vacant chair positioned opposite her. “Elliana, please, join me here.”
Elliana settled into the offered chair, and only then did she notice the subtle redness surrounding Rosemarie’s eyes and the exhausted, worn appearance marking her features. Rosemarie pushed a porcelain cup of coffee across the table in her direction. “You’ve come to discuss Quentin, haven’t you?”
Since Rosemarie had opened the conversation so directly, Elliana decided there was no point in dancing around the topic. She lifted the cup to her lips for a brief taste before meeting Rosemarie’s troubled gaze. “I’m aware of your history with my…”
.
.
.