Chapter 89

Raiden had fallen asleep in Elodre's arms while she was sitting on one of the couches in the living room. She just couldn't live with herself in such a situation. It was still a great shock to her.

Raiden has gone under the weather due to how drenched he got in the rain. He was feverish and shivering in her arms.

She'd been weeping since this morning. It's hard to see her little boy go under the weather. He's not supposed to go through such stress and pain. He was just an innocent victim.

Tears were rolling profusely down her ruddy cheeks and she sniffled. There was no money on her. Not even clothes. Cayden was still in Frederick's big shirt. All hope was gone. No more love and comfort for her. Elodre thought in agony.

She wants Cayden. She just wants his comfort. She wants to cry in his arms and pour out her agony. She wants him to know…to know she's innocent. That she didn't do anything…wrong. She wished she could tell him about the fear and panic attacks she's been living in for years. This is something she's never mentioned to him even though she'd tried to. Cayden was so angry and never spared a chance.

All broken with grief, Elodre was crying like a baby, trembling and sniffling.

N…now she's no longer a part of the Brooks family….

*

In a couple of minutes, the door opened and Frederick walked in with two bulky mart bags. “Hey, Elodre!” He tossed the bags on a couch and sat beside her.

“G…Good evening, F…Frederick,” She stuttered.

“How have you been?” He asked.

Her response was a blank gaze with tears fluttering her eyes.

“Have you both had dinner?” He asked.

“Yeah,” She bobbed slightly. But she didn't even have breakfast, much less dinner. It was just Raiden. She's lost her appetite.

“Sure Elodre?” He asked.

“Yeah,” Tears spilled down her cheeks and she wiped them off with her fingers.

“Lemme go lay the kid on the other couch so we can discuss.” He gently took Raiden into his arms and walked over to the other couch.

And Elodre burst out crying. She couldn't hold it back. She just wants the tears to flow. Her whole body was trembling terribly.

“Oh, comm'n Elodre,” Frederick had walked over and sat beside her. “Elodre,” She was crying so much and he didn't know how to console her. Seeing how broken she was, he placed his big hand on her trembling hands.

“F….Frederick, I…I…want my husband,” Elodre quivered. “I…I c…can't survive like th…this.”

Frederick blew out heavily. “So, are you gonna change your mind now?”

“About what?” She asked faintly.

“About not going back to Mr. Brooks,” Frederick said.

“I…I can't, Frederick,” She sobbed. “I…just can't.”

And Frederick couldn't stop wondering what she did wrong. How can a woman be so scared of her husband? He could see the bruises on her body and marks on her face. “Did Mr. Brooks put these marks on you?”

She sniffled and said, “My husband is a good man,” She glanced at him. “He t…tried to g…give the benefit of doubt…b…but I…” She broke down in tears. “I…ruined everything again.”

He studied her for a while and said softly, “Were you seeing another man?”

Shock flashed on Elodre's face. She didn't expect such a question. Lowering her gaze, tears spilled on her shaky hands.

Placing his lower arms on his thighs, his fingers were locked together. “I'm sorry, but what else could you have done to enrage your husband to the point of kicking you outta his home with a kid?”

That question hurts for some reason. Elodre's lips were trembling. She sniffled and wiped her face with her hands. “H…he thought I…I was seeing another man…”

“Had he seen you with a male friend perhaps?” He asked.

This question snatched her train of thought and her head became void. “Frederick please…I…I can't…” She wept bitterly.

Gazing down at her, Frederick heaved a sigh and said, “I'm sorry you have to go through this. I'm so sorry.”

Lips tight, she nodded.

“I got you some clothes,” He smiled.

She lifted her watery gaze upon him and gasped. “Oh. That's lovely! Thank you, Frederick. Thank you so much.”

“It's okay, Elodre,” He said and took her trembling hands in his. “Even though I'm just getting to know you, I know you're a virtuous woman. A gorgeous mom.”

“That's sweet,” She smiled faintly.

“Yeah,” He smiled back. “ Mr. Brooks is a good man…one day he'd realize he's missed a treasure. He'd come back to you. I assure you.”

She shook her head, sobbing. “You have no idea how furious my husband is. He doesn't even wanna set his eyes on me.”

Federick squeezed her hands gently, gazing into her watery gray eyes. “Just know that one day he'd come back for you. Mr. Brooks is a good man.”

That would never happen. That's just an empty wish. She thought.

“But, Elodre,” Frederick said. “You must take care of your son regardless of your situation. He's all you've got now.”

She nodded slightly.

“Do you have money on you?” He asked.

“N…no,” She sobbed.

Studying her, he hesitated briefly and said, “Perhaps a job opportunity comes to you, would you grab it?”

“A j…job?” She stuttered.

“I told my boss about you,” He said and this surprised her. “You need money to take care of your son.” He shrugged.

She lowered her gaze and tears dropped on his palm.

“My boss is a good man,” He said. “And…and I don't think it's healthy to stay around. My boss said there's a vacancy in his company in Canada. You won't have to apply 'cause I've recommended you to him.”

“S…so he wants me to come over to Canada?” She asked.

****

The following day…

In his suit, Frederick entered his boss’ office with a grin on his face. “Good morning, boss!”

“What's tickling your fancy, Fred?” The boss asked.

“She agreed!” Frederick announced. “And she's right here.”

“Hmm. Let her come in,” The boss said. “But you'd excuse us.”

“Sure,” He said and left the office.

When Elodre emerged in the office in her short-sleeved free gown on heels, a crooked smile pulled one side of his lips. She hadn't noticed him yet.

After shutting the door, Elodre turned around and walked to the chair across from the boss. “Goo….” Railing off Elodre gasped in astonishment upon who she'd just seen. Her purse fell off her trembling hands and she felt a hard knot in her stomach.

“J…Justin?!!” She said and he smirked.