Page 171 of Where Roads Lead

Chapter Fifty

Elsie

“You were rude to him, Andrew,” I said in a huff as I gestured him into the house. “You embarrassed me.”

His eyes tracked every dusty corner, noting every crumpled piece of paper, half-full mug, and slightly dehydrated plant.

He went to take his jacket off and then thought better of it, probably thinking my unfortunate, middle class space would contaminate his Burberry coat.

“You want to talk about embarrassment? How about Harris and Fawn Cameron’s only child not showing up for Thanksgiving?”

“I’m sure I was hardly missed, what with the dozens of other guests in attendance.” I said, falling back against the couch cushions, not caring at all anymore what he’d think of my posture.

“It looked bad, and you know it,” he said, using that reprimanding tone he’d been partial to since the early days of our relationship. “Your mother was humiliated.”

“I don’t really see how it’s any of your concern anymore. I mean, wasn’t that the whole point of you dumping me? So I didn’t reflect badly on you?”

He hesitated.

“That’s also what I need to talk to you about. I realize now how hasty and unprofessional it was for me to do that without a proper discussion over the matter.”

“Unprofessional?” I snorted. “It’s not a business transaction.”

“But it is, in a way. We always knew that,” he said. “Being part of an important family comes with expectations. Obligations. Our families making that connection would’ve been bigger than both of us. I was wrong to act so selfishly. I apologize.”

I stared blankly at the man who viewed marrying me as taking one for the team.

For the first time, I didn’t really know what to say?

It’s okay? Thanks for the apology? Give my mother my regards?

“What’s done is done,” I said, standing up, a sudden energy humming in my body. “And really, I think you made the right decision for both of us.”

“I didn’t.” He shook his head adamantly. “Elspeth, my family is furious, and for good reason. This marriage was a plan of theirs for years.”

“Yes, I know. I’ve heard the rundown before. The Camerons and the Hunters have belonged to the same clubs and charities and attended the same universities since the beginning of time, and wouldn’t it be absolutely darling to consolidate two prominent families through the union of their dearly beloved children?” I cooed, a sickeningly sweet tone as I imagined the pitch my mother had made to me for years.

“What’s the alternative, then? You stay here, your parents cut you off entirely, and you spend the rest of your life slumming it?”

“Why is going against the great dynastical plan slumming it? Why can’t it just be following my own path?”

“You’re a dreamer, Elspeth. Didn’t you realize that was always the problem? If I could just get your feet back on the ground, force you to own up to your responsibilities—”

“I’d been ready to, Andrew!” I exclaimed. “You are the one who humiliated me in front of half of Boston! You walked out the night before our wedding. There were headlines about it! Gossip columns!”

“I know,” he yelled, for once in his life not acting the eternal gentleman. “I know. It’s all my fault. My parents have reminded me every day since. I’m trying to make it right.” He collapsed into a chair, and I would’ve given anything in that moment to tell him I picked it up from Saver’s.

But my heart ached at the desperation in his weary eyes. He looked at me as if I had all the power to make or break the rest of his life.

I never loved him. But I didn’t hate him, either.

In fact, I felt sorry for him.

“Look, Andrew.” I rested a hand on his arm. “I don’t blame you for what happened with the wedding. I really don’t. I was pissed and humiliated for a while, but in hindsight? I think you did us both a bigger favor than you realize.”

“How so?”

“You gave us both a chance to have the life we wanted. And I’m so grateful to you for that, because I’d been too much of a coward to do what you did, and walk away from a situation we both knew was wrong for us.”