The Abandoned Wife Dumped Him First (Victoria and Elias) novel Chapter 25

When Hawk returned after dropping Genevieve off at the Vale estate, he was met with the sight of Ronald lying in a bloody heap on the restroom floor, unconscious. Elias's face was terrifyingly dark.

"Take off your jacket," Elias ordered, turning to the woman slumped against the wall.

Following Elias's gaze, Hawk saw Victoria huddled in a corner. Her eyes were empty and her body was completely still.

He immediately understood and began to take off his jacket.

Elias took it, walked over to Victoria, and draped it over her shoulders. He bent down to pick her up.

But Victoria pushed herself to her feet, avoiding his touch. Her voice was hoarse. "Don't touch me. I can get home by myself."

Elias's hands were left empty. His dark eyes narrowed.

Victoria didn't look at him. Though she could barely walk straight, she stubbornly held herself upright and started for the door. After just a few steps, she lost her balance and stumbled.

Elias closed the distance in a single stride, wrapped an arm around her waist, and lifted her into his arms.

"Hawk, clean this up."

He tossed the cold command over his shoulder and walked out.

"Elias, put me down. I can..."

"Shut up!" Elias snapped, his face grim.

...

The Imperial Crest Estates.

Elias carried her inside, his steps long and fast.

Anne was tidying up when she heard the noise at the entrance. She hurried over, her heart leaping into her throat when she saw Elias carrying Victoria. "Sir, what happened to Mrs. Shawn?"

"Go get some hangover pills and warm soup."

Elias ignored her question, issued the cold order, and headed for the master bedroom on the second floor.

The moment he placed her on the bed, Victoria turned on her side, away from him. The burning in her stomach and the spinning of the room were relentless.

Elias was about to leave when he caught a glimpse of red on her palm.

He paused, grabbing her wrist. But before he could get a clear look, Victoria yanked her hand back forcefully.

Elias's face darkened instantly. "Victoria, who are you putting on this act for? Don't forget, you were the one who agreed to this exchange! What's with this victim act now? Besides, Ronald didn't even do anything to you!"

"I said, I regret ever loving you! Elias, from this day on, I don't want you anymore!"

Victoria ripped his hand away and repeated herself.

"Elias, I. Don't. Want. You. Anymore!"

Each word felt like it was laced with blood, as if she were violently tearing that tree from her heart, root by agonizing root.

Elias's face was black with rage. He dragged Victoria into the bathroom.

With a loud thud, she was thrown into the bathtub. Before she could steady herself, Elias grabbed the shower head, turned it on, and a torrent of ice-cold water poured down on her.

"Victoria, in this relationship, only I get to say when it's over! The moment you forced this marriage two years ago, the moment you took the title of Mrs. Shawn, you lost the right to say any of this to me!"

"Forcing you was my mistake," Victoria said, shivering uncontrollably. "But Elias, five years ago, I was the one who saved you..."

Was saving his life not enough to atone for her mistake?

Elias laughed coldly. "You really are drunk. Victoria, are you still trying to lie to me? The person who saved me five years ago was Gen, not you!"

"Victoria, you're not even a shadow of what she is!" Elias threw the shower head into the tub. "Since you're so drunk, you can stay in here and sober up!"