Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 18

Just as Patrick finished speaking, Nancy came out of the house, carrying an antique–looking jewelry box in her hands, her face lit with smiles.

The sight of that box made Eliza’s heart sour and ache.

Nancy placed it carefully on the table before her.

“This was passed down from Calvin’s mother,” Patrick said. “It’s meant as a betrothal gift for the future daughter–in–law. It’s about time you received it.”

Nancy beamed, happy for her. “Well, don’t just sit there, open it and have a look!”

Eliza brushed her fingers lightly across the fine rosewood case, her throat tightening.

In the past, she would have been delighted.

It would have meant Patrick’s recognition of her.

But now, there was no joy, only regret.

After taking a deep breath, she pushed the box back toward him. Drawing on years of experience hiding her emotions in business negotiations.

she forced her tone to stay calm.

“I’m sorry… I’m afraid I can’t accept Uncle Young’s kindness.”

Nancy froze, alarm flashing in her eyes. “What’s this about? Did you two have a fight?”

She rushed to soothe, chattering nervously, “All couples argue, it’s normal, perfectly normal.”

But Eliza shook her head. “It’s not a fight. We broke up.”

Patrick’s brows knit tight, his sharp eyes fixed on her as though weighing the truth of her words.

But Eliza’s expression was honest, utterly serious. Not like she was joking.

That only made his expression harden further, his severe features even colder.

Eliza had no intention of lingering. Handing the lotus pastries to Nancy, she said gently, “I’ll send you the baker’s contact on Facebook later. Uncle Young can place an order directly online whenever he wants them. I’ve already made arrangements, no need to queue anymore.”

Her words brought tears to Nancy’s eyes. “What on earth happened between you and Calvin?”

Eliza didn’t want to explain.

She had only come to pick something up and to say goodbye.

Because both Patrick and Nancy had treated her decently over the years.

“Lotus pastries may be delicious, but Uncle Young must still watch his blood sugar,” she reminded. “And about next month’s checkup. I already booked it. Dr. Kallis will reach out directly.”

“As for me… if I have the time, I’ll still come visit.”

Eliza was always like this, thorough, meticulous, whether in work or life.

10.02

Seven Years a foal One Day & Queen

5.3%

Chapter 18

She didn’t offer flowery farewells. After collecting the items from Nancy, she turned and left.

Nancy stood watching her go, voice breaking. “How could it end like this? How could things come to this?”

After getting into the car, Eliza calculated the timing. From the He residence back to the company, she’d arrive just in time for lunch. She decided to eat there–her medicine was at the office too.

Two days earlier, when getting her arm checked, she had run into Dr. Shelton, the physician she had once stood up. He had dragged her into his office for a proper consultation.

The results weren’t great.

He said her miscarriage had left her body badly weakened, and her stomach was in poor condition. It would take a long period of careful treatment. The first rule: eat on time and take medicine on schedule.

Strictly, no exceptions. He even made her promise.

She had kept to it these past two days, and today would be no different.

But halfway back, her phone rang.

It was Calvin.

He told her to bring the supplements straight to him.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“I’m out eating,” he replied.

Through the receiver, Eliza clearly heard Medea’s voice:

“Calv, what do you feel like having? Or do you want to order yourself?”

“You order. I’m not picky,” he said.

The words almost made Eliza laugh out loud.

She bit it back–laughing would have been too rude–and instead hung up, texting him one word:

“Location.”

Not picky?

That was the funniest thing she’d heard all day,

She had never met anyone as fussy as Calvin.

He refused most vegetables, lamb, and fish.

He rejected foods with the wrong texture or appearance.

How picky?

If ribs were stewed, they had to be chopped into perfectly uniform pieces–he wouldn’t touch them otherwise. Anything sticky, gooey, or glutinous? Off the table.

In seven years together, the number of times they’d dined out just the two of them could be counted on her fingers.

12:03

Seven Years a Fool, One Day a Queen

5.3%

Chapter 18

Each time, she researched the menu and venue thoroughly in advance, terrified of missing some detail that would displease him.

And now, he could look at Medea and say, “I’m not picky.”

The double standard was staggering. Truly eye–opening.

Moments later, his location pinged through.

She enlarged the map, saw the restaurant name, and froze.

Still Waters.

It was that restaurant.

She exited the chat, opened their old messages, and typed in the keyword. Quickly, all the records appeared.

From March last year until this Valentine’s Day, she had brought it up seven times–asking to go to Still Waters.

The owner was someone she’d met on a project. From the décor to the menu, it was exactly the style Eliza loved. She had always wanted to try.

But in the year and a half since it opened, she’d never gone.

Every time she asked, he was either “too busy” or canceled last minute. After being stood up so many times, she had stopped asking. This past Valentine’s Day had been the last time she’d mentioned it.

Now she couldn’t even remember the last time they’d shared a meal, just the two of them. It had been that long.

For a fleeting moment, she felt a pang, but she shook it off, opened navigation, and set out.

When she saw the route, her chest filled with fire.

Still Waters was on the far east side of Washington. She was on the far west.

By the time she got there, she would miss lunch entirely.

Damn it…

Her mouth itched to curse out loud.

By the time Eliza crossed half the city and arrived at Still Waters, Calvin and Medea had already finished and were waiting at the entrance.

From the look on his face, they’d been waiting a while. Calvin’s expression was all impatience.

In contrast, Medea appeared far more polite. Taking the box from him, she said warmly, “Thank you, Secretary Grant. Sorry to trouble you.”

Eliza’s stomach was aching, her mood foul, and her smile was stiff, almost mocking:

“No trouble. It’s what I deserve.”

Medea blinked in surprise.

Calvin shot her a cold glare, “What’s with the attitude?”

Tch.

So quick to defend.