Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Chapter 21 Every Move Has Been Calculated
Eileen was finally discharged after half a month in the hospital. She had not just sat around in the meantime either, doing a good number of mock exams in the hospital.
Eric would find time to see her no matter how busy he was. He would look through her exam papers, pointing out any mistakes he spotted and explaining them to her patiently.
He had downloaded a few new games the company had just launched on Eileen’s phone, so she could. play them when she took a break.
That rarely happened, as she spent most of her time on her studies. The midterms happening in a few months were her best shot at leaving the Swan family.
She would finally be away from Eric and Will’s fighting…
Eric helped Eileen fill out her discharge paperwork. Her chest still hurt a little, but it was much better Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
than before. The scars on her body had fallen off as well, and only itched a little now.
Eric was willing to spend so much time on Eileen this time around just to make a point to Will.
Everyone said that Eric was just like a dog Will kept around.
Only Eileen knew that he was more like a wolf, hungrily eyeing everything in the dark.
A beast, ready to pounce and attack.
Every move he made had been calculated.
He would never make a sacrifice for nothing.
Eileen walked behind Eric, heading to his car.
She saw Vera in the backseat, her nervousness palpable even through the car window.
Eric stood in front of the passenger seat door, glancing at Eileen. “I thought Vera and I would celebrate. your discharge with you. Let’s have a meal together.”
Eileen said nothing, pursing her lips. She got into the passenger seat, spotting the sticker above her.”
Her face began to burn a little.
Look what she had done!
Eileen Swan’s Assigned Seat.
She had once thought that doing this would show everyone just how much ownership she had over Eric, but looking back now everyone probably saw her as a joke.
Wasn’t that so?
To Eric, she would always be a bumbling idiot willing to run circles around him and nothing more.
Amidst her thoughts, Eric leaned over all of a sudden. Eileen caught a whiff of jasmine mixed with
tobacco.
She knew that Vera liked to use jasmine perfume.
Eileen panicked as Eric came closer, leaning away.
Eric did not seem to notice her avoidance, reaching out and putting on her safety belt.
The car began to move. No one spoke, filling the air with a strange tension.
Eric glanced in the rearview mirror from time to time. “Are you not feeling well?”
Eileen knew that those words of concern were not for him.
She did not answer either.
Eileen looked out of the window.
Vera said softly, “No, I’m alright. Just as little carsick from the long ride.”
“I’ll drive a little slower. Let me know if you’re unwell.”
“Alright.”
Eric proceeded to chat with Eileen to distract her, bringing up some things about school and her studies.
The conversation was a snoozefest, and it was not long before Eileen nodded off to sleep.
She did not know how long she was asleep for, but woke up to the sound of someone calling her name.
“Eileen.”
Eileen opened her eyes blearily to the sight of Eric’s sharp gaze. She blanked for a few seconds, before returning to her senses and ducking out of the way. “W-what’s the matter, Eric?”
“We’re home.” Eric looked at her coldly.
“Oh… okay.”
Eric left the car after that. Eileen undid her safety belt, glancing at the sticker above her before tearing it off.
She took away everything else she had put in the car,
Eric saw her holding a bunch of stuff in her hands, but neither of them said anything.
After all, saying some things would only put more distance between the two of them.
Eileen walked into the house, and Sharon greeted her at once. “We’ve got some guests over today.”
Eileen frowned. “Guests? Who?”
“Your class teacher.”
Elsie?
Eileen’s chest lurched. What was Elsie doing here?
Was she here to get closer to Will?
Had her plan with Will been brought forward?
Eileen’s hands began to tremble, and her gaze flashed.
“Where is Ms. Elsie?”
“She’s talking to Mr. Swan in his study, apparently about what happened to you in school.”
This had not happened in Eileen’s last life, but she had changed the course of her life after being
reborn this time.
Eric walked past her, sitting on the couch next to Vera to watch television.
Just then, a voice rang from upstairs. “Don’t worry, Mr. Swan. I promise whatever happened to Eileen will never happen again. It’s my misstep as a teacher that this even happened, and for that I’m deeply sorry.”
“That’s alright, it’s just a little tussle between students. Why don’t you stay and eat with us, Ms. Elsie? I’ll have the driver send you home after that.”
Elsie smiled, tucking a lock of hair behind her car. “Would I be in your way?”
“Not at all. Sharon, put down an extra plate.”
“Yes, Mr. Swan.”
Eileen was frozen to the spot, watching as the pair came downstairs. Will had his arm around Elsie’s
waist.
Elsie was wearing a Blake bodycon skirt today, with a pink lacy top. It hugged her curves as she walked, and she smiled at Will warmly.
Every gaze the pair shared seemed awfully intimate.
Elsie looked over. “Eileen? Are you all better?”
She got closer, and Eileen got a closer look of her. Elsie’s skirt was wrinkled, and the top button of her blouse was undone to reveal a few telling marks that proved all of Eileen’s worst nightmares to be true.
Eileen felt an overwhelming sense of nausea all at once. She clutched her stomach, running away.
Everyone thought that Eileen was probably just sick, and did not think much of it.
Eileen ran into the nearest bathroom, spitting into the sink as her stomach clenched. She turned on the tap, staring at her bloodshot eyes.
Just how long more could she take being in this house?
There was a knock on the bathroom door. “Eileen, are you feeling sick again? Do you need me to get the doctor to take a look at you?”
Eileen wiped at her tears. She walked out quickly, pulling Sharon into a hug in an attempt to feel some
comfort.
Sharon patted her back gently. “What’s the matter?”
Eileen said nothing.
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