Ellison And Joycelyn A Love Beyond The Rules novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 

Chapter 18 

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Joycelyn wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled sweetly. “I love it. It’s everything I could wish for. Thank you, Mr. Grant,” she gushed. 

Ellison drew in a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. He saw the excitement on her face and how awestruck she was, her voice deep. “I instructed William to hire a designer. It was a bit rushed, but I’m glad that you like it.” 

“I do, I really do,” Joycelyn said almost breathlessly. 

“Have a good rest,” Ellison said. 

“I will. You too,” she replied. 

The both of them remained as cordial as distant coworkers. 

After what had happened earlier that day, Ellison had decided to give her space instead of requesting that she accompany him. As soon as Joycelyn closed the door behind her, she began to indulge in her solitary freedom, taking a shower before getting into the bath. 

When she was finished, she put on her new pajamas and sat on the edge of her bed for a long while. She sat as still statue, letting her eyes rove over the closet of new clothes. 

as a 

She began to laugh and cry at the same time, relishing the fact that she could leave her past behind and welcome this new lease of life. 

She took her phone out and went through her contact list, blocking every single member of the Mercer family. She looked at the dozen or so messages and missed calls left by her mother and ignored them all save for one. 

Replying to that message, she said, [I won’t drag you down anymore since I’m an outsider. From now on, we’ll go our separate ways.] Soon after, her mother replied with a voice message. Joycelyn doesn’t hesitate to block her number and delete it. 

Now that she had escaped from their clutches, she was determined not to look back. 

Glancing at the time, Joycelyn noticed it was almost half past nine. She got up to fetch a glass of water from downstairs. 

As she made her way down, she bumped into Ellison at the foot of the stairs. He was holding a bouquet of pink roses. The both of them froze at the sight of each other. 

Ellison didn’t reveal any emotion on his face, so Joycelyn continued to make her way slowly to the kitchen, saying, “Aren’t you going to bed yet, Mr. Grant?” 

“Soon,” Ellison replied, making his way up while holding the bouquet in one hand. 

As they passed each other, he placed the blooming bouquet in her hand. “Here. I know we’d rushed to get the marriage license, so I’ll make up for the rest at a later time.” 

“Is this for me?” Joycelyn pointed to herself and asked in surprise 

“Yeah, Ellison answered in a low voice. His angular face was as handsome as ever. 

“Thank you,” Joycelyn said gently as she received the bouquet with both hands. She was overjoyed to receive flowers for the first time in her life. 

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Chapter 18 

I’m going to bed.” Ellison informed her. 

Of course. Goodnight,” Joycelyn replied sweetly with a dainty smile on her lips. 

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Ellison continued slowly up the stairs, and as he was reaching the top, he turned his head slightly to look back at Joycelyn. She hadn’t moved at all, still admiring the bouquet in her hands. 

Joycelyn had fair, porcelain skin. Her features were delicate, and her round eyes, in particular, were warm and bright. It had been safe to assume that she liked flowers. 

Joycelyn carried the flowers with her to the kitchen, got herself a glass of water, and headed back upstairs. The whole time, she hadn’t set the bouquet down. 

When she returned to her room, she placed the flowers on the nightstand next to her bed. It instantly added a touch of femininity to the cream–colored room. 

She couldn’t believe that her first bouquet would be gifted from Ellison. She thought back to the moment they’d bumped into each other and wondered if he had seemed a little embarrassed. 

Joycelyn had noticed a flash of surprise across his face, perhaps even a tinge of awkwardness behind his usually piercing eyes. She was surprised to discover this side of Ellison. 

She decided then that she would get up earlier in the morning to make him breakfast. Then she drank some water before she lay down on her huge, soft bed, feeling a peace of mind that she’d never had before. 

She’d slept until half past six the next morning, and when she awoke, she was thoroughly well–rested and in good spirits. ‘Maybe I’m not a night owl after all, she thought. 

After she washed up, she headed downstairs to prepare breakfast Ellison treated her well, and she had no way to thank him except to take better care of him. 

She prepared a spread of breakfast muffins, pancakes, and smoothies, as well as some yogurt with an assortment of fruit. When she’d finished, she looked at the brand–new, unopened coffee machine and decided to try it out. 

At half past seven, Ellison came in through the villa’s back door, dressed in athletic wear. He entered just in time to see Joycelyn grimacing as she sipped on some coffee. 

“Good morning, Mr. Grant. Did you go for a run?” Joycelyn asked. Her face was still scrunched up from the bitterness of the coffee. 

“Yeah. What about you? Why are you up so early?” Ellison asked 

“I went to bed early last night, so I got up early. I’ve prepared breakfast already, too. Did you want to eat or get changed first?” Joycelyn said. 

I’m going to take a shower first,” Ellison replied. 

“Sure thing. By the way, I tried making coffee but couldn’t get it right. It’s burnt,” Joycelyn said with a pout. 

Ellison cast a glance at the bag of coffee beans on the counter. It was half empty. She’d obviously tried her best. “I don’t drink coffee except at work,” he explained. 

“Oh? I thought CEOs needed coffee as a pick–me–up every morning,” Joycelyn quipped as she stopped worrying and poured all the coffee she’d brewed down the kitchen sink. 

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Then she continued, “Give me a bit more time to practice. I’ll make you a good cup of coffee soon.” 

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Ellison let out a good–natured laugh. When Joycelyn looked over at him, he tried to hide his smile and then made his way upstairs. There was an effortless ease and harmony in the atmosphere. 

Joycelyn basked in that atmosphere. She liked the feeling of being relaxed at home. After bringing all the breakfast items to the table, Joycelyn took some pictures before Ellison returned to the dining table. 

After they finished their breakfast in that cozy and quiet setting, Joycelyn stood up and started cleaning, but Ellison stopped her. “Leave it. Someone will clean up later. And if you want to have breakfast next time, you can get the chef to prepare it.” 

Joycelyn looked at the empty plates before them and stopped her movements. “Oh. Is it not good?” she asked innocently. 

Ellison adjusted his cufflinks and straightened his sleeves. “It was great. It’s just a hassle to prepare meals. You don’t have to spin circles around me to accommodate me, and you don’t have to feel bad about it, either. Just do what you want to do. That’s what I want for you as your husband.” 

Joycelyn was shaken to the core. She looked carefully into Ellison’s deep–set eyes. They were as calm as a lake on a still day, yet they also conveyed a deep conviction. 

All her life, she’d felt as if she had been trudging through a swamp, but now, suddenly, the swamp had transformed into a warm and lush meadow. She felt something blooming in her heart and spreading to her bones. It was an unprecedented sense of validation that stemmed from being respected and even favored. 

Joycelyn hummed in acknowledgment. She was embarrassed by how moved she was, so much so that she wanted to cry. She hadn’t felt loved in over a decade, ever since her father died.