bChapter /bb266 /b

    “Closeness, distance-b” /b

    Rowan made no effort to hide his indifference. “No matter how iyou /ilook at it, you’re hardly the right person to apologize on her behalf.”

    Frank’s expression faltered at that.

    He couldn’t deny Rowan’s point.

    If you measured closeness, Rowan and Elissa weren’t rted by blood, but they’d grown up together as siblings.

    If you measured time spent, Rowan and Elissa had shared almost a decade under the same roof–far more than Frank ever had, given how absent he’d been as a husband.

    In truth, Rowan had always been much closer to Elissa than Frank could ever im ito /ibe.

    Elissa couldn’t quite figure out Rowan’s angle. Hershes lowered as she asked quietly, “What ido /iiyou /iwant, Rowan?”

    He shot her a sidelong look, then–right in front of Frank–said bluntly, “Is it really that hard ito /iikeep /iyour promise?”

    A strange anxiety twisted in Frank’s gut.

    He was suddenly worried Elissa might have agreed to something with Rowan–maybe even a deal that would keep her away from him.

    After all, Rowan had never been thrilled about Frank marrying Elissa in the first ce.

    Frank turned to Elissa, searching her face. “What promise?”

    Elissa isneaked /ia nce at Rowan, then seized the moment to fabricate an answer. “I promised to live across the hall from him and walk his dog. If he doesn’t agree, there’s nothing I can do–I can’t move back to Greenwood Manor.”

    She sounded entirely isincere/i, with just a trace of put–upon helplessness, as if Rowan’s demands left her no choice.

    With Rowan’splicated rtionship with Lorraine, Elissa knew she should keep her distance from him and not ask for any more favors.

    Right now, she needed Frank’s help ito /iinvestigate her parents‘ deaths, but she had no desire to return to Greenwood Manor.

    It wasn’t as if she was taking advantage. Years ago, she’d saved both Frank and Carm–two lives. Asking Frank to look into something for her now hardly seemed excessive.

    This was, as far as Elissa could see, the best solution.

    Frank, not wanting ito /iembarrass Rowan, wouldn’t push the issue, and Rowan would never mention the real, unspoken agreement between them–especially not now, with wedding arrangements underway.

    14:28

    Rowan hadn’t expected her to think so quickly on her feet. He quirked an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes, and looked at Frank. “You heard her, Mr. Atwater?”

    Frank knew Rowan well enough–when he made up his mind, nothing could sway him.

    And since Frank wanted to stay on good terms with Elissa, it was inevitable that he’d have to deal with Rowan in the future. There was no point in making an enemy of him.

    So Frank’s expression remained perfectly pleasant as he offered a warm smile. “Alright. After dinner, I’ll drive her back to Vistapeak Gardens.”

    “That won’t be necessary.”

    Rowan’s voice was cool as he cut in. He reached for Elissa’s wrist and strode out, leaving no room for argument.

    His steps were long and quick, radiating the pent–up frustration he’d been carrying for days.

    Elissa hurried to keep up, her still–healing wrist aching under his grip. She sucked in a quiet breath, but didn’t pull away.

    Rowan didn’t slow down, but his eyes flicked to her wrist–where a red, half–healed mark still circled her skin. His face gave nothing away, but his hand slid a bit higher, loosening his hold.

    He led her briskly to the parking lot, opened the car door, and jerked his chin–an unmistakable invitation to get in.

    Elissa ducked into the passenger seat. As she settled in, Rowan slid in beside her and mmed the door so hard it rattled the frame.

    She half–expected him tosh out about her “broken promise” and her conversation with Frank. But instead, he fixed his gaze on the injury at her wrist, his brow furrowing. “You hurt it the night beforest?”

    She was caught off guard by his concern for such a small wound. “Yeah.”

    Rowan studied her calm, detached expression. Something about it made his chest tighten. “Does it still hurt?”

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