Chasing His Rejected Wife (Jessica and Aiden) novel Chapter 5

Nausea swirled in my stomach as I watched the way Aiden and Elisa looked so comfortable together. Elisa was showing him something on the screen of an ipad, and Aiden gave her his full attention, turning his head to look at her, a soft smile playing on his lips as she talked animatedly.

They sat on high kitchen stools so close together that their legs and arms brushed against each other with every move. Elisa's beautiful face glowed with health and warmth, eyes twinkling with happiness as she talked to my husband, body unconsciously leaning towards him.

They looked like the perfect couple. Elisa Harding was the quintessential classic beauty - hair the color of warm honey, blue eyes that held a shrewd intelligence and a body that could grace the catwalks of a Victoria's secret fashion show. Her looks complimented Aiden's in a way that I never could.

Aiden must have said something funny because Elisa laughed, the sound rich and echoing in the huge kitchen space. She placed a manicured hand on Aidern's arm, smiling up at him and my own hands tightened into painful fists, breath hitching at the visceral pain that slashed across my already dying heart.

They were so engrossed in their own little world that they didn't notice me standing there until Vincent, who was sitting on the other side nursing a steaming mug of coffee and watching an early game on the TV, noticed me standing there gawking at them.

He gave me a warm smile and a nod of acknowledgement. "There you are, Jess. We were wondering when you'd be down. Good morning."

All three pairs of eyes swung to me. Finding myself under scrutiny made me feel self conscious. I hadn't yet dressed for the funeral, still in a comfortable old pair of jean cutoffs and t-shirt, barefoot, no make up and my hair piled in a messy bun at the top of my head.

Aiden and Elisa looked like they had coordinated their outfits, both in black suits and light blue shirts. Elisa's skirt ended just above the knee, giving a glimpse of toned mile long legs. I knew it was a coincidence, but still, it was one more reminder of how perfectly in sync they were.

And how I was the odd one out.

"Hello, Jessica." Elisa's smile was warm and friendly. "Hope you don't mind us barging in like this."

Oh I minded. Very much so. I minded that she was still sitting close to Aiden, still touching him, when I was standing right there.

"Not at all," I lied smoothly, hiding my feelings behind a smile. "You're Aiden's friends so you're welcome at any time."

I heard Vincent chuckle me, clearly not fooled by my words and my face heated with embarrassment. "Good ol' Jess. Always so gracious."

Yep, that was me. Jessica Brown, Nee Hopkins - People Pleaser.

"I invited them to accompany us to Skye Manor." Aiden spoke for the first time. I looked up from the tea I'd been stirring absentmindedly but he wasn't looking at me as he spoke, busying checking something on his phone.

"That's right, it stormed last night." Elisa said, sympathetically.

I wanted to be angry at her for bringing up my fear of storms, but I couldn't muster up the strength. I was suddenly exhausted, drained mentally, emotionally and physically and it was only 8 in the morning.

"It'll be a while before we get anything to eat after the funeral, you should get something down while you can." Elisa chimed in.

Beside her, Aiden took a bite of his own toast and chewed slowly. His eyes locked with mine. "There's still time before we have to leave. Eat."

On shaky legs, I picked up the plate and slid into a chair, staring at the food and trying to ignore the queasiness in my stomach. Instead, I watched Aiden eat the breakfast Elisa had prepared for him, while she bustled around getting him a fresh cup of coffee with the ease of someone who was familiar with this kitchen in particular.

Which, I suppose, given the number of times over the past two years she had come over for a visit, made sense.

I tore my eyes away, back to my food. Picking up a slice, I brought it up to my mouth and made the mistake of breathing in the aroma.