Chapter 8
Caitlin’s heart started pounding when she heard those.
Deep down, she already knew Xander would pick Eleanor.
Even though she tried to prepare herself for it, it still hurt more than she expected.
But to her surprise, Xander didn’t hesitate and said bluntly, “I’m not choosing. I want them both!”
Caitlin froze, completely caught off guard.
Eleanor, on the other hand, clenched her jaw in frustration. Still, she put on a tearful act.
“Mr. Jackson, don’t worry about me. “This is all my fault. Let me take the fall.”
Then, without warning, she shoved Kenneth away.
He stumble!
dropping the lighter. In a flash, flames burst to life.
around them. In a rage, Kenneth threw Eleanor into the fire and slashed the rope holding Caitlin up.
Both of them were in danger at
a came time.
As Caitlin hit the water, she caught one last glimpse. Xander looked panicked and rushed forward.
But not toward her.
He ran into the fire and shouted, “Eleanor!”
Chapter
He pulled her out of the flames.
Meanwhile, Caitlin sank to the bottom of the sea.
That was when she realized he had made his choice.
****
When Caitlin came to, she was lying in an operating room.
Xander was standing over her furiously.
‘So this was your plan? Why
did you team up with Kenneth to stage this drama? You thought you could trick everyone? I can’t believe you’d do this.”
Caitlin was confused. She couldn’t get what he meant.
Xander continued angrily, “Eleanor told me everything. You refused to take the blame, so you set her up. How could you be so cruel?!”
Caitlin’s heart dropped. She got it now.
Still, she had no clue what tricks Eleanor pulled to get Xander to believe it was all her doing.
“It wasn’t me. I didn’t…”
Her voice became hoarse from drinking too much seawater. She tried to push herself up and explain, but Xander cut her off, angrier than ever. “Enough! Stop making excuses!”
Caitlin paused and fell silent.
Yeah, there was no point explaining it.
No matter what she said, he’d always trust Eleanor over her. Why waste
Chapter 8
the effort?
“So what now?”
She looked up, voice dripping with sarcasm. “You gonna punish me again for her?”
Her contemptuous tone only made him explode.
“Obviously! You hurt her, so now you’re paying the price!”
Xander’s face was twisted in rage, veins bulging as he yelled, “Eleanor got burned because of you! She needs a skin graft, and you’re giving her yours!”
Those words hit her like a punch.
She couldn’t believe he was so cruel to her.
“No! I’m not doing that!”
Caitlin tried to get up, but several bodyguards rushed in and held her down on the operating table.
Xander didn’t even flinch. “There’s nothing to discuss.”
Then, he turned and walked out.
