Chapter 109: Someone Familiar

Elizabeth’s POV:

The event had officially drawn to a close, and the moment it ended, a swarm of businessmen approached Jaxon and Caleb.

Aunt Camille and I slipped out of the auditorium, and though I could feel Jaxon’s gaze burning into the back of my head, I didn't turn back.

He had been so wrong for hurting Talon like that, and I wasn't ready to talk to him just yet.

Once we stepped into the fresh air, I scanned the plaza for Talon and spotted him off to the side, deep in conversation with Tina.

I hesitated, wondering if now was really the right time to approach him, but the second he saw me, he hurried over, leaving Tina standing alone.

“Beth, why are you out here instead of heading home to rest?” he asked concernedly.

He leaned in to peck Aunt’s cheek before resting his hand on my head to ruffle my hair, but I playfully slapped it away. He let out a light laugh and held his hand up high; I quickly jumped up to give him a high-five.

“Are you okay?” I asked softly, watching his expression closely so he wouldn't be able to hide behind a lie. Talon just offered me a gentle smile.

“Yeah. I’m about to drop Tina off. You both should come along, and I’ll drop you guys off afterward.”

Aunt Camille was quick to decline the offer. “You should take Tina out for lunch, Talon. She’s been with me since this morning and we haven’t had a chance to eat a thing.”

“What about you two? Have you eaten?” he asked, looking between us. Aunt and I exchanged a look. It was obvious she wanted Talon to spend some quality time with Tina.

Even though I desperately wanted to stay with him and tell him that Jaxon was wrong—that despite the move he made, his intention wasn't truly to humiliate him—I decided to step back.

Maybe Tina was exactly what he needed right now.

“I’m meeting a friend, so I’ll be eating there,” I replied, pulling out my phone to find a string of missed calls from Bella and even a message from Ash.

Ash: I’ll pick you up at the auditorium.

Bella: I’ve got snacks, juice, and puzzles! We’re going to have so much fun at the park.

I looked back at Talon, finding him already watching me. “Uhm… you should probably get going.”

He nodded. “I’ll call you tonight, okay? Wait for my call.”

He kissed Aunt’s cheek once more before turning toward his car. He pulled the door open for Tina, who gave us a small wave before climbing in.

“They would make such a great couple,” Aunt Camille mused as they pulled away. “I just wish he’d realize that before it’s too late.”

Tina really did love him. She demanded respect, and since Talon had apologized and promised to give her exactly that, I truly hoped he would follow through.

It still felt like a shock to me that we were both moving forward with our lives, just not together. He was going to marry Tina, and that felt like the final nail in the coffin for whatever feelings we once shared.

A car honked from the far end of the lot. I squinted to get a better look and saw Ash waving at me from the window. I glanced back toward the auditorium doors, half-expecting to see Jaxon, but he was still nowhere to be found.

“Aunt, let’s go with Ash. He can drop you home first.”

She shook her head firmly. “Go on ahead. I’ll wait for Jaxon.”

I wanted to argue and tell her it wasn't a good idea—Jaxon had been acting so cold toward her lately and I didn't want him saying anything hurtful—but perhaps some time alone was exactly what they needed to clear the air.

“Okay, Aunt. Just let Jaxon know I left with Ash.” I gave her a quick hug before joining Ash in the car.

He smiled at me and reached over to turn down the radio.

“How are you doing, Beth?” he asked as he pulled out into traffic and I tightened my seatbelt.

“I’m good. I just don't know why you’re so insistent on hanging out at the park with two girls.” I was genuinely surprised he wanted to come along, knowing it would just be me and Bella.

“You might not know this, but I live for a little girly gossip. And if you girls are planning on cursing Jax out, then I’m even more interested.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “I would never curse him.” I might have muttered a few choice words about him in the past, but I couldn't do it now. The very thought of me—or anyone else—badmouthing him didn't sit right with me. Was I upset about the stunt he pulled today? Yes. But would I call him names? Never.

Jaxon was a caring man; he just didn't always know how to show it properly. I giggled to myself, remembering a line from a book I’d recently read: 'When you love a man, you make silly excuses for him.'

Love?

Maybe I really did love Jaxon Sinclair. He had me blushing and giggling like a kid on Christmas ; this was definitely moving far beyond a simple crush.

“Just the thought of him has you this riled up?” Ash teased. I pouted, trying to snap myself out of the trance Jaxon’s name had put me in.

“Jaxon deserves love,” Ash said more seriously. “And trust me… he loves you, too.”

I already knew that he loved me because he’d told me so, and he backed it up with his actions, but hearing his best friend confirm it made my heart feel incredibly warm.

Ash was right. Jaxon deserved to be loved, and I wished I could give him every bit of that love one day.

“The real reason you’re coming along is to find out if Cruella really pushed me, isn't it?” I asked.

“And people say you’re naive and slow?” He smacked his lips in disbelief. My eyes widened. Who on earth was saying I was naive and slow?

“Who said that?” I questioned with a frown. I wasn't slow, I’d always had the best grades in school and I was married to Jaxon Sinclair; his sharp personality was definitely rubbing off on me. Maybe I was a little naive, but I certainly wasn't slow.

“So… did she?” His grip on the steering wheel loosened slightly. Although his eyes were fixed on the road, I knew I had his undivided attention as he waited for my answer.

Did he love Cruella that much? I wondered what their relationship even looked like these days.

“Will you believe me?” I asked instead. Was he actually willing to believe my side of the story, or would his feelings for her blind him to the truth?

“I believed Jaxon,” he answered simply. My eyes widened in surprise. Did he?

Ash chuckled lightly. “Jaxon has always looked out for me. He never says it, but I know he loves me and considers me family. Ever since he saved me from those bullies in middle school, we’ve been best buddies.”

I sat back and listened as he told me stories of their adventures back in school—how he was the only true friend Jaxon had, and how kind Jaxon’s grandmother had always been. When he mentioned that she was now suffering from dementia, I could hear the genuine hurt in his voice. She had forgotten him.

—

We finally arrived at the park and stepped out of the car. We stood side-by-side for a moment, watching families and friends walk through the gates, laughing and enjoying the day.

“She did it,” I admitted quietly. He slipped his hands into his pockets, his gaze fixed on an older woman playing with her grandchild.

“Why?”

Because she hates me. Because I’m the one standing in the way of her being with Jaxon—even though I suspected Jaxon wouldn't have spared her a second look even if we weren't married. But I couldn't tell Ash all of that.

“She wanted to stop the engagement,” I said instead.

Ash let out a pained chuckle. I stayed quiet, letting him process his emotions. We stood there in silence for a few minutes before he gestured toward the entrance. “Let’s go in already.”

I pulled out my phone to text Bella, letting her know we’d arrived. Her reply came in almost instantly.

Bella: Stand by the entrance, I’ll come to you.

So Ash and I waited by the entrance. I wanted to ask if he was okay or if he really believed me, but he seemed occupied, watching the people go about their lives. Maybe the distraction helped keep his mind off Cruella.

“Stella,” he muttered suddenly, his brows furrowing. I turned to follow his gaze but only saw a group of girls laughing further down the path.

He tilted his head, his eyes searching the crowd. “Are you okay?” I asked.

He snapped his gaze back to me. “Uhm… yeah. I just thought I saw someone familiar.”

Just then, my phone dinged with another message.

Bella: I couldn't make it to the park. Sorry.

What? I stared at the screen in confusion. Wasn't she already here?