Chapter 485

Ever since she learned the truth, this thought had crossed Elissa's mind countless times.

If only Rowan wasn't a Murphy.

If only Rowan wasn't Paige Jensen's grandson.

Then she wouldn't have to agonize over trying to make him choose between her and his family.

It would save her from overestimating her place in his heart.

But falling on Rowan's ears, those words carried a heavy sting of irony.

Just because he wasn't Paige's biological grandson didn't mean he wasn't a Murphy.

The blood in his veins was still the Murphy bloodline.

And the power Paige used to take Elissa's parents' lives belonged to the Murphy family.

His gaze was locked on the girl in front of him. He wanted to tell her that Paige would pay the price for what she did.

But compared to the lives of her closest loved ones, that promise felt offensively hollow.

Even if Paige paid the price, it wouldn't change the fact that Elissa had grown up an orphan.

Still, things needed to be said clearly.

As for what choice to make, that was up to Elissa.

Rowan's eyes darkened. He was just about to speak when his phone buzzed at the worst possible moment.

Elissa took a half-step back. "Answer it."

The matters between them couldn't be resolved in a few sentences anyway.

A phone call wouldn't make a difference.

Rowan pulled out his phone and glanced at the caller ID.

-Butler Murphy.

Unless it was an emergency, the butler rarely contacted him directly.

Frowning slightly, Rowan answered, his voice distant and cold. "What is it?"

"Boss," the butler's voice was laced with panic, "the Matriarch collapsed! We're on our way to the hospital right now..."

The hallway was dead silent.

So quiet that the butler's words drifted perfectly into Elissa's ears.

She instinctively looked at Rowan. She watched his expression tighten as he decisively replied, "I'll be right there!"

On normal days, they seemed to share no bond at all, but at this moment, the ties of family were undeniable.

Ending the call, Rowan looked at her. "I need to go to the hospital..."

"Go."

Before he could finish, Elissa cut him off with calm indifference and turned to walk into her apartment.

After showering, Tanya came back in a flurry, having just finished her overtime.

She waved a takeout bag. "Fried chicken, want some?"

She'd been in meetings from late afternoon until just an hour ago.

Tanya hated eating out alone, so she picked two orders of fried

chicken on her way back. Dinnel. ne?e

her a late night shack for Elissa

for

"Sure." Elissa smiled. As she told Tanya to wash up, she took the leftovers Jacqueline had saved for Tanya from the fridge and popped them into the microwave

Tanya came out of the bathroom, lighting up "You saved

herme? wouldnt have

some

ght takeout if I knew."

Elissa shot her a look. "Of course we saved you some."

"Did you thank your mentor and his wife for me?" Tanya asked with a grin as she sat next to Elissa, hugging her arm.

Elissa patted her head. "Yes, yes, I thanked them. Now eat."

Their jobs were completely different.

Elissa just needed to focus on diagnosing patients and prescribing medicine. Even her research was purely academic.

But Tanya had to be a social chameleon, spending countless hours playing political games with all sorts of people.

It was exhausting.

While Tanya was busy eating, Elissa walked over to the fridge. "Soda or beer?"

"Beer." Tanya didn't even hesitate.

She desperately needed alcohol to untangle her frayed nerves.

Elissa grabbed her a beer and took a soda for herself.