Chapter 116
Tears welled in her eyes, catching the harsh light as they fell. “At first, I told myself it was just gratitude—for everything he’d done for me, for how he protected us. But it wasn’t that.” She looked up at Frank then, her eyes wide and shining with a painful mix of shame and wonder. “He told me he loved me, Papa. Said he’d loved me from the very first day he met me, despite the ghosts in both our pasts p>
She drew in a shaky breath, her voice softening into a whisper that trembled with truth. “And so I accepted his love. Even when I shouldn’t have p>
Frank’s shock deepened, his misty eyes searching her face. “In love? With that man? Eli, my girl… that’s a whirlwind I never saw coming. But if he loved you, what happened next p>
The biggest revelation hung in the air, and Eliana’s voice dropped to a whisper, laced with pain. “Even with the love, I was always scared. One day, when Rafael was at work, Mirabel went mad. She ransacked the entire mansion, screaming my name, hunting me down like prey. She blamed me for what Rafael did to her brother, Victor—said Rafael was holding him captive somewhere. She couldn’t touch Rafael directly, so she targeted me. I hid in the bathroom, Papa, curled up like a frightened rat, heart pounding so hard I thought it’d explode. Finally, a kind maid named Clara—she smuggled me out through a back door. I ran, Papa. Ran for my life p>
Frank’s tears matched hers now, rolling down his cheeks unchecked. “My poor baby. Hiding like that? From your own mother? It’s unthinkable p>
“But that’s not all,” Eliana whispered, her voice cracking as if the words themselves cut her throat on their way out. Her fingers trembled in her lap, twisting together until her knuckles turned white. “Henry—he was the one who found me that day, Papa p>
Frank’s brows lifted slightly, his silence urging her to go on.
She swallowed hard, her gaze distant, lost in the memory. “I was on the streets… completely broken. I didn’t know where else to go but to Henry. Henry pulled me out of that mess—literally and brought me somewhere safe. He changed your hospital, records, everything… just in case Mirabel or her men came looking. Even Rafael. Because back then, I didn’t know who to trust anymore. I didn’t even know if I wanted to go back. I was so scared—of them, of myself, of what would happen next p>
Her breath hitched as the next words caught in her throat. She stared down at the blanket between them, her tears darkening the fabric. “And then,” she continued softly, “the biggest news came p>
Frank leaned forward, his expression tense, waiting.
“The day I left Rafael’s house,” Eliana said, her voice barely more than a whisper, “I found out I was three weeks pregnant.” She met his eyes then, the confession trembling in the air between them. “With his child p>
The silence that followed was deafening. Even the rhythmic beeping of the monitor seemed to pause for a heartbeat, as if the entire room was holding its breath with them.
Frank’s tear-streaked face froze in a mask of shock, pain, and profound sadness. His eyes flooded anew, sobs wracking his body. “Pregnant? Oh, Eli… my granddaughter or grandson… How? Why didn’t you tell me? Did you… tell him? Does Rafael know p>
She shook her head, her lips quivering. “I hid away for three days, gathering courage. When I finally went back to face him, to spill everything about Mirabel being my mother and the pregnancy—he’d already found out. Somehow, he knew. He accused me of betraying him, of working for her all along. Shut me out completely, Papa. Wouldn’t even see me p>
Frank reached up, cupping her face gently. “That fool. Blinded by his own scars p>
Eliana nodded, sniffling. “Henry’s been my rock through it all. He encouraged me to keep trying—said I had to tell Rafael the truth, even if he was too stubborn to listen. But nothing worked. I went to his company with Henry, and Rafael had his guards throw me out. They manhandled me, Papa—I got bruises, scrapes. It was humiliating. Then yesterday, Henry tried talking to him alone, and Rafael had him arrested! Can you believe it? For trespassing or something ridiculous p>
Frank’s eyes widened further. “Arrested? That Vexley boy’s lost his mind p>
“I’ve tried everything these past three weeks,” Eliana wailed, her voice rising in desperation. “The baby’s six weeks now, Papa. I’m depressed, exhausted. I don’t know what to do anymore. So when Henry suggested I go with him to the UK yesterday—for school, for a fresh start—I thought about it all night. It’s the best for my peace of mind. For the baby. For us p>
By now, they were both a crying mess, sobs echoing in the small room, arms wrapped around each other in a fierce, protective embrace. Frank pulled back slightly, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Eliana, I’m so sorry. So damn sorry I wasn’t there to protect you from all this. If I’d been stronger, healthier… But if leaving is what you want, I won’t stand in your way. I’ll go anywhere with you, my girl. To the ends of the earth p>
Eliana managed a watery smile, hugging him tighter. “Thank you, Papa. I love you so much p>
“And that Henry,” Frank added, his tone warming with gratitude. “He’s a good man, Eli. Stepping up like that, helping strangers—well, not strangers to him, I suppose. But bless him. He’s got a heart of gold p>
They sat like that for a while, the storm of revelations subsiding into a quiet comfort, until the doctor knocked gently and entered. “Mr. Bennett, everything alright? I just wanted to update you—discharge in five days, if all goes well p>
Frank nodded, wiping his eyes. “Thank you, doc. That’s good news p>
Eliana rose, composing herself as best she could, her modest blouse rumpled from the emotional torrent. She kissed her father’s forehead. “I’ll be back soon, Papa. Rest now p>
As she stepped into the hospital corridor, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead, her phone vibrated insistently in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw Sarai’s name flashing—fifteen missed calls, texts flooding the screen like venomous arrows. “You bitch, you told on Jason to Rafael! You’ll regret opening your big mouth p>
Eliana’s lip curled in disdain, a spark of her growing strength flickering. She didn’t bother responding; Sarai’s drama was a Chapter she was closing. Hailing a cab outside, the cool autumn air brushing her tear-dampened face, she directed the driver to Henry’s house—her sanctuary, where she held her own key. The place felt like a fragile haven in the chaos, but for now, it was enough.