Chapter 39: Elowen’s lie.

Soren snatched the phone from her. His gaze fell on the photograph. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

A bitter wave of anger rose inside him.

’Why? Why did she lie to me?’

Soren held the phone in a vice-like grip. He fought to keep his expression under control, but the fury building inside him was becoming increasingly difficult to contain.

Tahlia quirked her lips into a wicked, satisfied smile. When she spoke, her voice was laced with provocation.

"What is she doing with Theron? When did she get close to him?"

She dropped her voice further. "Do you think Theron has finally confessed his long-suppressed love for her?"

Those words were enough to make him lose control.

"Shut up," he hissed, shoving the phone back into her hand.

Tahlia made a shocked face, pretending to be hurt.

"I am worried about you. And you are snapping at me?"

Then she softened her expression and continued in a more insidious tone, "She is still married to you. And she came to a party like this with another man. If she really wanted to attend, she could have told you. Why come with Theron of all people? Does she not know how hostile he is toward you?"

Each word added fuel to the fire burning inside Soren. He wanted to break everything around him.

The thought of Elowen rejecting his offer to attend the party and then appearing at the same event with Theron made his blood boil.

Yet, he forced himself to remain still. He couldn’t lose control in front of so many people.

If Elowen had lied to him, he would confront her and demand an explanation himself. The problem was between him and his wife. Soren wouldn’t want a third party, especially Tahlia, to interfere.

"Theron is Elowen’s boss. If he brought her here for work, I have no reason to object."

Tahlia’s smile faltered. She had not expected Soren to defend Elowen after seeing her with his enemy.

"But Soren..."

He turned and walked away without listening to what she had to say.

"Soren, wait." She hurried after him and caught his wrist. "Don’t go. You can’t start fighting here when so many people are around."

Soren didn’t listen to her. He jerked her hand off and stormed away.

The abrupt movement sent Tahlia staggering backward. She fumed in helpless anger, her face burning with humiliation. She drove her nails into her palms, using the sting to hold her temper.

For the first time, Soren had chosen Elowen over her.

"Elowen," she muttered as she watched Soren disappear into the crowd. "You’d better leave Soren. Or I’ll make your life miserable."

Soren searched the hall, his gaze sweeping over the guests as he moved through the crowd. He checked from one corner after another, but neither Elowen nor Theron was anywhere to be found.

’Where did they go? Did she decide to leave me?’

A horrifying thought took root in his mind.

"No..." he muttered under his breath. "That can’t be happening. She won’t leave me. She can’t."

But the more he tried to ignore that thought, the more it gnawed at him.

"I can’t lose her. Not again."

His steps quickened as he went out of the hall and headed down the corridor toward the restroom, hoping to find her there. Just as he rounded the corner, he saw her coming out of the ladies’ restroom.

Relief washed over him so suddenly that his shoulders loosened. He had found her.

She had not left.

He strode over to her, his movement sharp with barely restrained emotion.

Elowen stopped in her tracks, her heart sinking deep into her stomach. What she had feared was right in front of her.

"Soren," she murmured, her face paling.

Soren stood in front of her. He didn’t shout. He didn’t bombard her with overwhelming questions. All he did was stare at her.

And his silence frightened her more than an angry outburst would have.

His clenched jaw and rigid shoulders betrayed the storm raging beneath his skin. He was furious.

She could see it in his eyes.

"Soren," she swallowed, "I can explain."

He didn’t give her the time to speak. He simply drew her into his embrace.

Elowen went utterly still, caught off guard. This was not the reaction she had anticipated.

She had expected him to question her and accuse her of lying. Instead, he hugged her.

His embrace was tight, almost desperate, as if he was afraid he would lose her if he let go of her.

Elowen’s hands hovered uncertainly between them. She had no idea how to respond.

The unexpected tenderness overwhelmed her. She had prepared herself for anger, not this.

The guilt swept over her.

’If only I had told him the truth...’

To avoid unnecessary conflict, she had chosen to hide everything from him. And in doing so, she had made him upset even more.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Soren slowly loosened his hold and drew back. Cupping her face, he looked into her eyes. "You okay? Did your morning sickness bother you again? Are you feeling dizzy?"

Elowen was completely at a loss for words. She lied to him. She had rejected his offer to come to the party with him. Yet she had come here with another man. Even so, he wasn’t mad at her.

He wasn’t asking about Theron. He wasn’t demanding an explanation. Instead, he was worried about her well-being.

Tears gathered along her lower lashes before she could stop them.

"Why are you crying now? Is there any discomfort? Do you want to go home?" The questions tumbled out one after another, his worry growing.

Elowen wiped her eyes quickly. "I’m sorry." The words escaped in a broken whisper. "I lied to you..."

"No, not here," he said, interrupting her.

Soren drew a slow breath, visibly struggling to contain his emotions. He certainly wanted an answer. He wanted to know why she had lied to him and what had happened between her and Theron.

But those questions could wait. Right now, he needed to take her home.

"Let’s go home first."

Elowen agreed without hesitation. She didn’t care about returning to the party or explaining her sudden departure to Theron. All she wanted was to leave with her husband.

Soren held her hand firmly in his own as they walked toward the exit.

"Elowen." A tall figure stepped into their path.

Elowen went rigid.

’Theron!’

Her fingers clasped around Soren’s hand unconsciously.