Chapter 348: Questioning Her Love
Looking into Ella’s slightly angry eyes, Eric let out a bitter, mocking laugh. He stared at her, his heart feeling as if it were being torn apart, his logic nearly overtaken by anger.
"Ella, why should I be reasonable? I’ve never liked the son of a mistress, so why should I swallow my pride to let him stay here? Do you know what people will say? You’ve never insisted on anything with me before, but now, for him, you’re calling me petty? Saying I’m being unreasonable?"
Eric scoffed. "You care about him, don’t you? But what about me—am I not exhausted? These past few weeks, have you spared a thought for me?"
Ella stood there, stunned, her eyes reddening. "Yes! You’re right, I haven’t cared for you! My attention has been elsewhere. He’s in a vegetative state—how could I possibly be happy? Do you want him dead to make yourself feel better?"
Eric laughed derisively, his smile sharp and bitter. "Exactly! I do want him gone; I’m just that heartless! I don’t have your saintly compassion, obsessing over the son of a mistress. Your heart is already with him, isn’t it?"
Ella’s breathing quickened, her mouth opening as she searched for words but found none. How could he accuse her like this? All she wanted was for Henry to recover so she wouldn’t feel indebted to him. Once he was better, they could go their separate ways, free of anyone’s criticism.
If it weren’t for Henry, she might have been scarred—would Eric even still love her then?
All she’d asked for was this small favor, and yet he doubted her intentions, cared more about public opinion, and accused her of favoring Henry?
Who had loved him so deeply, who, in his weakest moments, had wished to take his pain onto herself?
Who had, when he was unconscious, wished nothing more than for him to wake up and tell her, "I’m fine, I was just joking"?
Ella’s eyes misted over, and her voice trembled. "Eric, you say I favor him? Why not go further and accuse me of being in love with him? Go ahead, say it!"