Chapter 10 A night at the Larson mansion
Elizabeth swallowed her grief and forced herself to speak.
“Mrs. Larson... let’s take Noah upstairs.”
She helped Anne and the boy to their room, making sure they could rest.
Downstairs, Jonathan cried in his uncle’s arms, broken.
“Jonathan, go lie down for a while,” James said softly. “Your grandfather and I will handle everything.”
Nathan approached.
“Mr. Larson, I don’t want to get in the way. I’ll take Elizabeth and Adam home, then come back to help.”
“I’m not leaving!” Elizabeth’s voice cut through the silence as she descended the stairs. “I’ll stay here with Jonathan. They need someone.”
Marvin looked at her and nodded.
“I agree. The girl stays to care for my daughter-in-law.”
“Elizabeth... that dress will make you uncomfortable. I’ll bring another tomorrow,” Nathan said sharply, trying to control her with his icy stare.
But she didn’t flinch.
She knew she’d be punished anyway—so it might as well be for something that truly mattered.
“You said you would come back. Bring me something decent to wear, please, Father.”
Nathan sighed in defeat. He couldn’t drag her out of there as he wanted to.
“Fine. When I return, I’ll bring you something.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly, called Adam, whispered something in his ear, and went upstairs.
She went to little Noah’s room. The boy was crying uncontrollably, crushed by the loss of his father.
“Sweetheart, you need to lie down and rest. It’s late,” she said softly.
“I don’t want to sleep! I want my dad!” Noah sobbed, wrapping his tiny arms around her. Elizabeth sat on the bed, pulled him into her lap, and ran her fingers through his hair, letting him cry until he grew tired.
Jonathan stood by the door, watching. His future wife might be wild, but she was also tender and caring toward his family.
“Do you know where my mother is?” he asked quietly.
“She’s already asleep. But Noah refuses to go to bed, even though he’s exhausted.”
“I think exhaustion finally won.”
Elizabeth glanced at the boy—asleep now, peaceful. She laid him gently on the bed and covered him.
When she went downstairs, the living room was spotless. Even Ronald Larson’s body had already been taken away.
“Jonathan, I took care of everything. The funeral will be tomorrow, and your grandfather is informing the other members of the organization,” said James. Though his heart ached from losing his brother, he stood strong—the pillar of a family collapsing under grief. “Eliz, are you going home?”
“No, uncle. I’ll stay. My father should be bringing another set of clothes for me soon.”
“Alright. I’ll stay a while too. If you need a ride later, I’ll take you.”
Moments later, Dave arrived and handed Elizabeth the clothes. Before leaving again, he warned quietly:
“Elizabeth, you’re staying tonight—but be careful with what you say. You know Father doesn’t forgive easily, and he’s already angry with you.”
Elizabeth didn’t answer. She went upstairs and changed in Jonathan’s mother’s room.
When she came down, she was wearing a loose gray sweatsuit. She cursed her father silently—it looked like sleepwear. But she understood the message behind it: he wanted her covered, hidden.
After spending a few minutes with Anne, she went downstairs again. The sky was already pale with the first light of dawn. She decided to make coffee for when the family woke up.
She was pouring the fresh brew into mugs when Jonathan came down.
Elizabeth smiled softly, handed him a cup.
“Sugar?” she asked.
“No. Black.”
He took the mug and drank in silence, leaning against the counter, watching her tidy the dishes.
“You know I have a housekeeper, right?”
“I didn’t.”
“Where did you sleep?” he asked.
“I didn’t sleep. I thought about resting somewhere, but it was almost morning, so I decided to prepare something for everyone instead.”
“Thank you.” Jonathan leaned closer and pressed a light kiss on her cheek before heading upstairs.
Elizabeth froze for a second, touched by the unexpected gesture. Maybe, just maybe, her marriage to Jonathan could be a happy one.
Later, she carried a breakfast tray to Anne’s room. The older woman was already awake, sitting up in bed.
“My dear, you shouldn’t have bothered.”
“You need to eat…”
“You’ll make a wonderful wife. Have you heard about my husband’s funeral?”
“No, but I can ask Jonathan.”
“He might seem difficult, but he’s not. My son only demands loyalty. If you are, you’ll win him over easily.”
“I don’t know. It feels like he already dislikes me.”
“You’re wrong. Ronald was difficult too when we married, but love changed him. Let me give you some advice—if Jonathan is kind, let him in and be happy. Don’t ever tolerate abuse. But I know you won’t have to—I raised him well.”
Elizabeth smiled, holding onto the woman’s words.
If Jonathan never hurt her… she’d open her heart to him. She’d try to love him, and to be loved in return.