Chapter 11
Hearing that the child's father was dead,
Joshua's expression changed slightly.
A complex feeling inexplicably arose in his heart.
After a moment, he tossed a contract to Ella.
"Since you say you'll pay back the money you owe the Thomas family, then sign this. When you've earned enough to pay back the one million dollars to the Thomas family, that's when I'll divorce you and set you free."
Ella was stunned.
She picked up the agreement in disbelief and looked it over.
It was an employment contract with the Thomas Group, with a monthly salary of twenty thousand dollars.
The position was Joshua's secretary assistant.
Ella looked it over - there were no issues with the contract.
If Joshua wanted her to pay back one million dollars, working this job without spending anything on food or living expenses would take four or five years to pay it off.
Even though she didn't feel she owed the Thomas family that much money.
But thinking of how good Aiden had been to her, that couldn't be measured in money at all.
Besides, Aiden wasn't in good shape right now, and she needed Joshua to keep the children's existence a secret.
Later when she had time, she could write more articles for extra income - maybe she could pay it back quickly.
Ella had no complaints and willingly signed the contract.
Seeing how readily she signed, Joshua felt both annoyed and disgusted.
He stood up and approached her, suddenly grabbing her throat, his eyes fierce.
"Ella, do you think that just because I'm keeping you by my side, I don't care about your lies and deception?"
Ella was forced to tilt her neck back to look at Joshua, her small face showing some guilt.
"I know you care a lot. I don't expect you to accept it either. I just hope you won't tell Grandpa about this for now, and won't hurt my children. I'll agree to whatever you want me to do."
Someone as proud as Joshua - how could he possibly accept that his wife had given birth to another man's children?
He must hate her terribly.
Ella really didn't hope for anything anymore, she just wanted her children to be safe.
"If it weren't for Grandpa, a dirty, shameless woman like you who had children out of wedlock - I wouldn't even spare you a second glance."
Joshua roughly pushed Ella away and said, "If you want your children to be okay, from now on do your job properly. When I'm satisfied, maybe I'll let you see them."
Joshua strode away - staying even one more second with her made him feel sick.
Especially thinking about their year of married life, remembering how she gasped and moaned shyly beneath him every night made him feel even more disgusted.
Watching Joshua's retreating figure, Ella hurried after him and blocked his way.
"No, Joshua, you can't separate them from me. They'll cry if they don't see me for two days."
Besides, Aurora and Dorian were especially sensitive.
They were terrified that Ella would abandon them.
Last time when she returned to the country and didn't see them for a week, when they finally saw her at the airport, they cried in her arms for a long time.
Not to mention Aurora's poor health - she got sick often, and when she cried, she was even more prone to respiratory alkalosis.
Ella didn't know how long Joshua planned to keep them separated.
But she couldn't accept even one day.
Joshua stopped and looked at her coldly with disgust.
"Get out of the way."
Ella refused, shaking her head, tears in her eyes.
"I'll do anything you want, but you can't separate them from me. I'm begging you."
Ella had originally thought she had no future with Joshua, which was why she gave birth to the children alone abroad.
If he hadn't called her back to the country and dragged her to get married, she wouldn't have hidden it from him.
Why was he blaming her now?
Had he and Scarlett never slept together during these four years?
"Do you have the right to beg me?"
Joshua looked down at Ella from above, watching her put on that pitiful, helpless act again.
He really wanted to strangle her.
But he held back from getting physical with her, his face cold and full of disgust. "Ella, I've never seen a woman who can act like you. You've already given birth to another man's children, yet in bed you still acted like you loved me so much."
"You should be grateful I didn't just kill you and those two children, so stop disgusting me."
He didn't even want to look at her anymore. Joshua pushed her aside and left.
Ella stood there frozen, tears silently rolling down, her heart breaking.
During this past year, she had truly loved him.
If it weren't for Scarlett's appearance, she might have remained foolish forever.
The children's existence was just fulfilling her dream of being a mother.
Knowing that saying anything now was useless and wouldn't change anything, Ella could only force herself to hold on.
She raised her hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks and called the nanny again on her phone.
This time, she finally got through to the nanny.
As soon as the call connected, Ella asked urgently and worriedly, "Patricia, where are you? Are Aurora and Dorian okay?"
Patricia looked at the two children who had already fallen asleep and reassured her, "Ms. Garcia, don't worry, Aurora and Dorian are fine. I just don't know where this place is."
"Is that person the children's father? Why did he take us away and imprison us?"
"He's not."
Ella denied it, lowering her voice, "Have they done anything to you and the children? Can you send me your location?"
Patricia said disappointedly, "I can't. Someone's watching us. I only just got my phone back."
"Ms. Garcia, you must know the person who took us away, right? Can you beg him? Or you could call the police. Otherwise I'm afraid Aurora and Dorian will miss you so much but can't see you, and it'll cause them psychological problems."
Ella knew that without Joshua's permission, she probably would never see her two children again.
For the sake of her children, she had to beg Joshua.
After hanging up with Patricia, Ella hurried around the villa looking for Joshua.
Karen saw her pale, anxious face and followed her, asking with concern, "Mrs. Thomas, what's wrong?"
Ella grabbed her, "Have you seen Joshua? Where is he?"
"Mr. Thomas just left. He drove off. I don't know where he went."
Ella knew Joshua was deliberately avoiding her.
Maybe he wouldn't come back today.
Maybe not tomorrow either.
But she had to see him.
If Joshua wouldn't let her see the children, she wouldn't be able to rest at all tonight.
Ella pulled out her phone and quickly called Joshua.
After waiting a long time, the call finally connected.
Her voice was choked with tears, "Joshua, I'm begging you, okay?"
But what responded to her was a familiar female voice.
"It's me. Joshua is driving and can't answer. What are you begging him for?"
The one answering Ella was Scarlett.
Until now, aside from the Thomas family, no one knew that Joshua and Ella had already gotten their marriage certificate and were married.
Including Scarlett, the adopted daughter of the Lewis family.
Though adopted, she was extremely lucky to be taken in by the wealthy Lewis family.
Scarlett was also accomplished - to gain her adoptive parents' approval, she mastered music, chess, singing, dancing, poetry, and painting.
When it came to Emerald City's socialites, if she claimed to be second, no one dared claim to be first.
People in their circle also said she and Joshua were a perfect match, naturally suited for each other.
Ella's heart tightened. She didn't expect Joshua to go find Scarlett the moment he turned around.
Was he that eager?
Ella felt terrible inside, but she still tried her best to hold it in and told Scarlett.
"Pass the phone to Joshua."
Before Scarlett could speak, Joshua's cold voice rang out, "Hang up and block her for me."