Gerald’s expression didn’t change, but there was a slight pause before he answered. "It’s good that you know," he said simply, not bothering to deny it.
Ellen stared at Gerald as his words sank in. He wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore—his true nature, his unwavering loyalty to Aubrey, was now out in the open. Well... If Gerald wasn’t going to hide who he was, then she had no reason to hold back either. She would stand her ground, no matter what.
She straightened up in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. Her gaze was steady as she looked at Gerald, her lips curling into a small, almost mocking smile. "I didn’t know you loved Aubrey this much, Gerald," she said, her voice deceptively calm. "But tell me, does Aubrey love you this much too?"
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Gerald’s composed expression faltered. His eyes narrowed, and the faintest flicker of anger passed through them as he glared at Ellen, his jaw tightening. "Stop saying nonsense, Ellen," he snapped with a low, frustrated tone.
Ellen met his glare with one of her own, the smirk never leaving her face. "Is it nonsense?" she responded playfully. "It doesn’t seem like it. I wonder, Gerald... is it really worth it for you? All of this, for someone who doesn’t love you the way you love her?"
Gerald’s glare deepened, his hands curling into fists on the table as he leaned forward slightly, his voice laced with irritation. "I didn’t ask for your take on Aubrey’s feelings," he growled. "The only thing you need to know is that Aubrey loves Mason. She loves him more than anything."
Ellen’s expression remained unchanged, but inside, a bitter laugh echoed in her mind. She knows that already, she read the novel. But just because Aubrey loves Mason doesn’t mean she’s going to step aside and let her have him.
Gerald’s voice cut through her thoughts, his tone urgent as he continued, "Ellen, you need to understand how much Aubrey has sacrificed for Mason. She’s given up so much for him, things you can’t even imagine."
Ellen’s eyes darkened at his words, a cold fury simmering beneath the surface. Of course, she thought bitterly, Aubrey has sacrificed a lot—including someone else’s life. Ellen Winters’ life.
She shifted slightly in her seat, uncrossing her arms and leaning forward, her gaze never wavering from Gerald’s. "So, you came all the way here to give me a pep talk," she remarked before letting out a sigh.. "Probably hoped that I’d back down, that I’d just let Aubrey have Mason. But I’m sorry to disappoint you, Gerald—I don’t care about all of that."
Gerald’s eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering in them for just a moment before he masked it with his usual calm demeanor. But Ellen didn’t miss it. She could see that her words had struck a nerve, that he wasn’t used to being challenged like this, especially not by someone like her.
Ellen leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest once more, her posture relaxed but her expression unyielding. "All I know is that Mason and I are married," she continued, her voice firm, "and that’s not going to change just because Aubrey is living in the past, clinging to a relationship that’s already ended."
Ellen watched Gerald’s expression, seeing the mix of emotions that flickered across his face as he processed her words. She could tell he was holding back, struggling to maintain his composure. She decided to push a little further, her eyes narrowing slightly as she leaned forward just a fraction.
"You know," Ellen began, her voice showing surprise, "I didn’t realize that Aubrey was such a coward." She let the words hang in the air, savoring how they sliced through the tension between them. "Sending you here instead of facing me herself. Really, Gerald? This is the best she could do?"
Gerald’s reaction was immediate. His eyes flashed with anger, and his jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles in his neck stood out. His hands, resting on the table, balled into fists, the knuckles turning white with the effort to control his temper. He glared at Ellen, his gaze intense and dark, but she met it without flinching.
Ellen felt a surge of satisfaction as she watched him struggle to contain himself. The power dynamic had shifted, and she was fully aware of it. She knew she had the upper hand here, and it gave her more confidence. After all, what was Gerald going to do to her in a public place like this? If he dared to lay a hand on her, she wouldn’t hesitate to kick his tiny balls right up into his throat. The thought almost made her smile, but she kept her expression composed.
Gerald opened his mouth to say something, but Ellen cut him off, her voice sharp and decisive. "If you’re done here, Gerald, I think it’s time for me to go." She uncrossed her arms and began to push her chair back, the legs dragging softly on the café’s tiled floor. "I’ve got dinner to prepare for my lovely husband."
As she stood up, Gerald was still sitting there, glaring up at her, his fists clenched on the table, but Ellen felt no fear. If anything, she felt a sense of triumph, knowing that she had managed to shake him.
Ellen paused for a moment, looking down at Gerald with a mixture of pity and disdain. "One more thing," she said, her tone cool and almost dismissive. "You might want to stop meddling in other people’s relationships. It’s not a good look for you. Maybe, just maybe, you should focus on your own one-sided love instead."
Ellen didn’t miss the way Gerald’s expression darkened further. But she didn’t care. He had come here to confront her, to try and manipulate her into backing down, but all he had managed to do was solidify her resolve. Without waiting for a response, Ellen turned on her heel and began to walk away.