Chapter 80 I’M SORRY
POV: ELISABETH
I stroked Patrick's hair as I absorbed his whole story. How could someone wish such harm to their own child? What level of mental problems did Heloise have?
Tears streamed down my face, overwhelmed by the pain of the man who smiled so much, never showing the suffering he lived with. I sighed, looking again at Biel's photo and then at the starry sky.
“Patrick?” I called in a whisper, still staring at the vast blue sky. “When I was with my ex, I got pregnant. I ran upstairs to tell him, hoping he’d be happy and stop hurting me.It was a thread of hope, you know?”
He lifted his head, wiped his eyes, and looked at me intensely.
“What happened?” Morgan asked, his voice trembling.
“It didn’t go as expected. He thought the child would take up my time, my love. Then he pushed me down the stairs. I remember waking up hours later, in a pool of blood, with terrible pain in my belly and that bastard kicking my stomach even harder.” I sighed, still not having the courage to face him. “After that, everything went dark. I ended up in the hospital with a placental abruption, and not many days later, I got the worst news of my life. The baby didn’t make it. I had to have a curettage, making everything more painful. I felt empty, hollow inside, you know?”
“It’s how I felt before I met you.” Patrick sighed, looking at Gabriel's gravestone. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Yeah, me too.” I smiled faintly, looking at him. “But that’s not why I’m telling you my story. They took so much from us in life, and that’s irreparable, but I’m not running anymore. They won’t take anything else from us!”
I clenched my fists with determination. Patrick pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately, then broke the moment and rested his forehead against mine.
“They won’t. Heloise is putting on her show, but thanks to your statement, the public is divided. I liked the clarity of the internal memo; I was able to filter out the genuine ones in my publishing house.” He sighed heavily. “I have the footage, but I can’t deny that I did break Celdric’s finger and choke Heloise.”
“Why did you do that?” I bit my lip nervously.
“Celdric is manipulated by his sister. He’s still young and has a future as a CEO ahead of him, but he needs more maturity.” Patrick gently stroked my hair. “Heloise spoke about Gabriel, and I just can’t stand it; I can’t accept her talking about him!”
“I won’t accept her trying to bring down your empire. Your gift to Biel, even though he's not here, is a living memory of something made for your son.” I looked at Morgan with determination. “We won't allow it!”
“Thank you.” Patrick smiled genuinely. “Lis? I promise we'll deal with your ex once and for all.”
I shuddered at his words.
“He'll only stop when he's dead.” I bit my lip nervously, caressing the bite. Patrick released the bite and traced my lips with his thumb.
“Exactly!” he said with determination. “Every wound he inflicted on you will be avenged.”
“I don't want you to kill him because of me,” I sniffled, fearful.
“The world needs to be rid of trash like him, Elisabeth.” Patrick pulled my face toward him again. “It's not just for you, but for everything. You help me with Heloise, and I'll help you with this monster.”
“We're a mess as a couple, don’t you think?” I smiled ironically.
“It's part of our charm, don’t you think?” He smiled back, standing up and extending his hand to help me up. “Let's go back.”
“Let's, but first. Do you mind if I say a prayer for Biel?” His eyes shone with emotion.
“It would be a pleasure!” Patrick kkneeledbeside me. When I finished, he said, “See you soon, my son.”
“See you soon?” I furrowed my brow, intrigued.
“It’s what I always said to him before leaving—that I’d be back soon.” Sighing, Patrick wiped away more stubborn tears, pulled me close, and we walked slowly back to the car. “Thank you.”
“For what?” I looked at him, surprised.
“For everything, Lis.” We fell silent. “I'm still waiting for your answer.”
“My answer?” I tilted my head, a little confused.
“Accept my proposal; don’t make me beg for your hand.” He poked the tip of my nose, teasing.
“I think I’ll pay to see you beg.” I laughed softly, teasing him back. “We have so many problems to solve, and you're thinking about this?”
“It’s all I think about.” He smiled more lightly as we got home, parking the car in the garage. “And other things too.”
Unbuckling his seatbelt, Patrick turned towards me, sliding his hand over my breasts down to my thigh and squeezing my legs.
“Morgan, we literally just got back from the cemetery.” I held his hands. “Let’s rest for today.”
“Lis?” Brushing our lips together, he blew softly. “I’ll make you moan a 'yes' so loud that there won’t be any more fears or doubts in your mind.”
Pinching my nipples through the thin shirt, I gasped, mesmerized by his eyes, a shiver running through my whole body. Supporting his hands on the back of the seat, he continued to tease my breasts provocatively.
“Patrick...” I called his attention, making him smile.
“Come on, the day has been emotionally exhausting. How about a spicy story before we rest?” He winked, getting out of the car. “I’m eager to hear the continuation of the chapter you sent.”
I got out after him, facing him. “So you read it? Why didn’t you respond?” I crossed my arms, annoyed.
“It didn’t sound as intense as when you read it to me, apprentice.” Pulling me by the waist, Patrick spun my body around, pressing his aroused erection against my backside, walking behind me, and pressing himself against me while brushing his lips against my neck. “I’m dying to hear you describe every daring detail of that chapter.”
“And who said I'd read it?” I looked over my shoulder at him, challenging him. “I don’t think you deserve it.”
“Have I been a bad boy?” He laughed, amused. “I’d love to see how you’d punish me.”
I turned to Patrick with a mischievous look, eyeing him up and down. I licked my lips, projecting every bold thought.
“You’d definitely love it.” I bit my lips, catching his attention.
“Ah, Lis, what is that shameless mind of yours thinking?” He stepped forward, and I stepped back, smiling.
“Catch me and find out.” I ran inside, seeing him shake his head in disbelief and come after me.