After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

+20 BONUS

Chapter 25

By the end of the week, Matthew was in the county jail.

Elaine sat with Harriet in the living room of the latter’s home, reviewing paperwork. She’d found out the other day what had happened. Aaron had taken things into his own hands. Had done what she recommended. Matthew had been stripped of his rank and would be spending some time…reflecting.

It would do him good.

Growing up, Matthew had always had a penchant for throwing hands first and asking questions second. He’d simply crossed a line this time he couldn’t worm his way out of.

Elaine scrubbed a hand over her face, sighing softly.

“Need a break?” Harriet asked.

Elaine nodded.

“I’ll get us some water.” Harriet stood up and walked toward the kitchen. A knock at the front door stopped her. She moved over to it, opening it up…

And in barged Elaine’s parents. Both of them. They didn’t even wait to be invited. Elaine’s stepmother, Ruth, stormed in first.

“How could you!” she cried out, gaze landing on Elaine. “I thought you loved this family! And yet you send your own brother to prison?”

Elaine stood up. “I’m not the one who passed the sentence. He assaulted Aaron!”

“It was a misunderstanding and you know it.” Ruth walked up to Elaine and jabbed a finger at her chest. “You did this. You could have prevented it!”

Elaine carefully pushed Ruth’s hand away from her. “It was Aaron’s decision, not mine.”

“You could do something now,” Walter said. Her father stepped further into the room, leaving Harriet glaring at their backs from the door.

“Yes!” Ruth interjected before her husband could speak further. “Elaine, we shouldn’t focus on the past.”

Elaine crossed her arms. “You brought it up–”

“What’s important now is that you help Matthew.” Ruth’s voice turned sickly sweet as she moved around to the sofa, settling on the cushioned seat. “Come, sit.”

Elaine looked past her father at Harriet, who was closing the door and looking irritated her parents had just barged their way in. She could only offer an apologetic look before she turned to her stepmother once more.

“There’s not much to discuss. Matthew did this to himself.” Elaine didn’t sit.

“He’s always been hot-headed,” Walter agreed, his voice taking on an edge. He’d always favored Matthew, ever since he’d married Ruth. “But that does not mean we abandon family.”

“Your father is right. Do you have any idea what this will do to the reputation of our family? We’ll be ruined!”

Elaine finally sat down across from Ruth, though she sat straight and stiff. “You’ll be fine. This isn’t going to affect us all that–”

“Elaine.” Walter’s voice cut her off.

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Chapter 25

+20 BONUS

Elaine glanced over at her father.

“You have the authority. Go to Lucas and tell him to release Matthew.”

He was using the tone that used to always send Elaine into action. The voice he used when he was no longer joking. No longer asking. This wasn’t a request. And maybe a few months ago, Elaine might have obeyed.

She was done obeying.

“He assaulted Aaron,” Elaine repeated. “He needs to learn his actions have consequences.”

“He is in jail!” Walter finally raised his voice. “Stripping his rank was enough, but this? You will speak to Lucas, Elaine.”

“I’m not going–”

“Then I will.”