Elliot released a weary sigh. "Victoria, I can't help it. I need to act as host."
"Don't fall for her act. The moment I saw her this morning, I knew she was two‑faced."
"What were you doing seeing her?" Tension sharpened Elliot's voice, fear flashing through him that Victoria might have exposed her identity. "Didn't I tell you not to get involved?"
Victoria pouted in displeasure. "I just wanted her to face reality. And I offered her money—she took it without hesitation. Said she'd cut ties with you right then. She's obviously holding out for a bigger payout."
"You gave her money? And she accepted?" Elliot's brow furrowed.
"Of course she did. Didn't even hesitate. Told me she'd be done with you once she had the cash. I should've made sure she boarded that plane." Victoria's tone dripped with sarcasm.
"Enough. Stay away from Margaret from now on."
Much later, Elliot finally returned to where Margaret waited. His expression had darkened, heavier than before. "Are you full? Let's go then. You should rest early tonight."
Margaret offered no argument. After all, she truly had nowhere else to go.
Early the next morning, Elliot was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
Casually, over the sizzle of the pan, he asked, "You've had a day to settle in, Margaret. Did you sign the papers?"
The fork in Margaret's hand stilled. Her reply came almost in a whisper. "Not yet."
Elliot's face clouded instantly, a note of irritation entering his voice. "Why not? Margaret, I'm trying to give you a home. Don't you trust me?"
Margaret only gave a faint, evasive smile. "Where are we going today? Take me to the amusement park."
"Margaret, you—"
She cut him off gently. "I'll sign it after you spend a few days with me."
A resigned sigh escaped Elliot before he nodded in agreement.
But upon arriving at the amusement park, they found Victoria already waiting at the entrance.
"Elliot, you made it!" she chimed cheerfully, looping her arm through his and casting a smug look towards Margaret.
Elliot quickly explained, "This is my good friend Victoria Bloom. We can all go together."
Clearly unprepared for her appearance, he shot Victoria a warning glance.
Victoria smiled and extended a hand to Margaret, saying, "Ms. Hart, we met the other day. I was only joking with you—really, I'm just a friend of Mr. Novak's. You're not upset, are you?"
Margaret lowered her eyes, a dull ache settling in her chest, and nodded quietly. "Alright."
Once inside, Victoria clung to Elliot's side. She pulled him towards the teacup ride, then insisted they take pictures in a couple's photo booth.
Elliot shifted uncomfortably, his gaze repeatedly drifting towards Margaret.
From nearby came Victoria's light laugh. "Growing up in the village means some things just aren't in her world, right, Ms. Hart?"
Margaret remained silent, trailing behind them like a forgotten child, observing as they laughed together.
That evening, returning from the restroom, Margaret overheard their conversation before she rounded the corner.
"Elliot, do you really believe she's just here to have fun? A girl from the sticks doesn't have time for sightseeing. She's playing innocent, trying to stall so you won't make her sign."
Elliot's expression shifted subtly, his voice dropping low. "Don't worry. The title of Mrs. Novak will be yours."
Victoria smiled and wound her arms around his neck. "Just the title?" she asked.
Desire flickered in Elliot's eyes as he kissed her. "You have nothing to worry about. My heart belongs to you. She doesn't deserve it."
They were so deeply absorbed in the kiss that they didn't notice Margaret standing a few steps away, her hands clenched tight, knuckles white.
A moment later, Elliot finally looked up and saw her. "Margaret!"
Startled, he pushed Victoria away. "She had something in her eye—I was just helping her get it out."
But as he stepped towards Margaret, a sudden commotion erupted from the carnival crowd.
One of the rides shuddered, veered off its track, and a scream pierced the air—someone had fallen.
A loud crash followed, then chaos. Visitors surged in panic, rushing towards the exits.
Margaret was knocked to the ground and trampled by fleeing feet. She cried out, curling into herself against the blows.
Elliot instinctively wrapped an arm around Victoria and pulled her towards safety without looking back.
When the crowd finally thinned, he remembered. "Margaret!"
The moment he reached her, his voice came out strained. "I'm sorry... I just panicked. Instinct took over—I reached for whoever was nearest."
A wry smile touched Margaret's lips.
'It's a lie. I've been closer.'
Then her stomach twisted sharply. She doubled over, retching, and splattered the pavement with what was left of the cake Victoria had given her—the one that had unsettled her since she'd eaten it.
Elliot recoiled, disgust plain on his face.
Without touching her, he pulled out his phone and called a bodyguard, his tone cutting with cold contempt. "Get over here now. Take her to the hospital—she just vomited all over me. Disgusting. And bring a clean change of clothes for me. I can't stand this filth."
Aksara