Lullaby 281

Chapter 281

Lorraine spent the whole night mulling it over after she got home from the restaurant. She tuned out her parents‘ relentless chatter about marrying into the Murphy family, shut herself away in her bedroom, and let her thoughts spin.

She wasn’t the sort to blindly chase after something she couldn’t have. In fact, she’d always been clear–headed about what was within her reach and what wasn’t.

There was no denying she liked Rowan; she was drawn to him in a way she couldn’t help. But when it came to this engagement, her parents‘ wishes had always outweighed her own.

For a long time, she’d told herself it didn’t matter. Rowan didn’t have anyone else in his life. If she just waited long enough, maybe things would finally turn around for her.

But then, that day at the club, she saw the way Rowan looked at Elissa. The longing in his eyes was impossible to miss.

It was as if fate wanted to shatter the last bit of hope she’d been clinging to. Earlier today, Rowan had gone out for a business lunch and,

uncharacteristically, left his wallet behind on the desk in his office.

It was right there, in plain sight.

Lorraine had reached out to put it away for him, but as she picked it up, a photograph slipped out from the inner pocket where he always kept it.

A young girl beamed out from the photo, her smile bright and sweet as she cradled a birthday cake in her hands, gazing trustingly at whoever was behind the camera. The number–shaped candles on the cake read

sixteen.

It was Elissa.

Lorraine vaguely remembered overhearing something at Murphy Manor during the holidays–someone had mentioned that Rowan broke things

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off with Elissa

At the time, everyone had talked about how cold and heartless Rowan

was.

Who would have thought that, all these years later, he’d still be carrying around a photo from that last birthday they’d spent together?

In that instant, Lorraine felt something inside her snap–all those lingering hopes, gone.

After all, Elissa and Rowan had spent nine years growing up side by side, followed by eight years of longing. Lorraine’s time was valuable, too; she wasn’t about to waste it chasing after love that might never be hers.

Her upbringing had taught her not to lose her dignity, no matter what.

So when Elissa had been honest with her, Lorraine found herself blurting out everything she’d been holding in.

Once she’d spoken her truth, relief washed over her. It was as if she’d finally put a period at the end of years of fruitless longing.

Elissa, on the other hand, looked completely taken aback.

“You’re telling me all this because…” she asked, startled.

“I just wanted to say,” Lorraine replied, tilting her head and smiling, a weight lifted from her shoulders, “I won’t be asking you about Rowan’s private life anymore.”

“And who knows? Maybe we have a shot at being friends.”

Elissa raised an eyebrow, teasing, “You’re not about to fall for me just because I’m so much like Rowan, are you?”

It wasn’t just their personalities that were similar, Lorraine thought. Even the way Elissa talked was just like Rowan.

Lorraine laughed and shook her head. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Outside Murphy Manor, in the backseat of a black Bentley, lan watched as his young mistress and Secretary Lynn strolled out of the house together, chatting amiably. A chill ran down his spine.

Evan Murphy was about to say something, but lan, quick as ever, clapped a hand over his mouth.

The tension in the car was thick enough already–no sense making it

worse.

Rowan’s gaze was icy as he turned away from the window and glanced at the driver’s seat. “Drive over there.”

Evan might not have much tact, but he knew his cousin well enough. With a huff, he batted lan’s hand away, pressed down on the gas, and eased the car forward to where their young mistress was waiting.

Elissa had just finished saying goodbye to Lorraine and was heading toward her own car when the familiar Bentley pulled up in front of her.

lan hopped out and opened the back door for her, shooting her a conspiratorial look. “Miss, can I have your car keys? I’ll drive your car home for you.”

That way, she’d still have her own car to use in the morning.

“Thanks, lan.” Elissa handed over her keys, a vague sense of unease settling in her chest, but she pushed it aside and slipped into the backseat.