Hamish had feelings for Elisa, even if he himself didn’t know it.
Lila closed her eyes and thought of the voices she heard outside the room today. Her heart felt like it was twisted and bound by hemp rope. She clenched her fists tightly, filled with dissatisfaction, anger and jealousy.
Why didn’t Elisa jump down from upstairs like her dad? Why didn’t she go die? Why did she still occupy the position that belonged to her?
She didn’t even realize her fingertips were digging into her palms. Now that she had moved into North Bankshire, the days were long. She had plenty of time to slowly deal with the things that threatened her, one by one. Today was just the first step.
After figuring it out, Lila’s tense emotions relaxed a little. She opened her eyes and her pupils resumed their previous simple and harmless appearance.
“Elisa didn’t look well, was she having a disease attack?”
“What disease could she have?” Hamish couldn’t help but think of Elisa. Elisa had stomach problems and didn’t eat much at noon. He really didn’t know if her stomach problems would relapse.
“She’s fine, don’t worry about her, just take care of yourself.” This was meant for Lila but it was more Hamish reassuring himself.
Lila lightly bit her lower lip with teary eyes, “I feel like she doesn’t really welcome me. Maybe I should just move back, but I can’t bear to leave you.”
“No need to move. That property is already in my name. I told you to live there so you live there. Having Lila and Elisa live together, he admitted he had personal motives, but he didn’t think there was anything wrong with this arrangement.
He and Elisa weren’t divorced yet, and the house had been transferred to his name. He could do whatever he wanted with it, Elisa had no say.
Lila nodded, satisfied to lean against Hamish’s arms, “Hamish, you’re so good to me.”
Hamish said, “It’s not convenient to cook at home. I’ll arrange a servant to take care of you.”
Lila asked, “Can I choose myself then?”
Hamish agreed, “Okay, you can arrange it.”
Lila was very satisfied with this.
The two of them lingered outside all afternoon. Lila went shopping and dragged Hamish to watch a movie with her. By the time they came out, it was already late.
Lila suggested, “Let’s eat before going back. Elisa probably didn’t prepare dinner.”
That was Elisa’s style. Hamish nodded and Lila chose a western restaurant knowing Hamish’s preferences.
By the time they returned to North Bankshire, it was already ten o’clock. The villa was pitch black and cold and empty as if no one was there. Hamish suddenly felt a little uncomfortable and a sense of emptiness welled up in him as he stepped into the living room.
Even though Lila was with him, the loneliness was inescapable, enveloping him.
He hadn’t come home this late before, but every time, Elisa would leave a light on for him. If she knew he was out socializing, she would quietly sit on the sofa in the living room waiting for him, and bring him sober-up soup when he came back.
Hamish thought about it. The last time he came home drunk was two months ago. It didn’t seem that long ago but it felt like years had passed.
Seeing him lost in thought, Lila gently shook his hand, “Hamish, what are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.” Hamish turned to look at her, “You must be tired. Go wash up and rest well on your first day here.”
“Where will you sleep tonight?” Lila was half expectant, half shy.
Obviously Hamish didn’t understand the implication in her words: “I’ll sleep in my own room.”
Lila’s expression instantly froze in order to prevent Hamish from seeing the distorted look in her eyes. She quickly lowered her head and slowed her voice as much as possible, “I see, then I’ll go wash up first.”
Each bedroom had its own separate bathroom. Lila left the door ajar on purpose to make it easy for Hamish to come in. She even deliberately wore sexy lingerie tonight.
But after her shower, she waited and waited yet Hamish never showed up. The last glimmer of hope in her heart was instantly extinguished. It felt as if cold water had been poured over her head. Lila got up and opened the door to see the dark hallway. There was a faint light.
Hamish was standing outside Elisa’s door.
Lila bit her lower lip hard until she tasted blood before letting go. Her lips hurt badly but not as much as her heart.
What did she look like now? Like a concubine in a TV show waiting to be favored, no, concubines still had status. She was more like a shameful mistress, a prostitute.
Lila’s hatred for Elisa grew.
Hamish stood at the door, pushed the handle but it didn’t open. Clearly it was locked from the inside. Hamish’s eyes darkened gloomily, his face looking especially sinister in the darkness.
Elisa had made it clear she wouldn’t let him in. Even if she heard the knock, she wouldn’t get up to open the door.
He looked at the time again. It was almost eleven. If he called out, Elisa wouldn’t open the door but it would wake Lila up instead.
Lila gripped the door handle tightly. Her eyes hidden in the crack were like a venomous snake. Seeing Hamish turn around, she immediately hid back into the room.
She thought Hamish had given up on going into Elisa’s room and was coming to her instead. But after waiting for a while, she heard the sound of the door closing in the next room.
Lila pursed her lips tightly, her eyes reddening a little more. Hamish would rather sleep in the cold, empty guest room than come to her.