Hiding Behind Her Superficiality by Kyla Olson

“Why do you think I would agree to it?” Elspeth leaned on the couch, sneering. Man, the Winthrop brothers are crazy, except for
Max. He’s the only normal one.
“Hey, suit yourself, but I’m the only one who can cure your mother.” Arthur looked at Elspeth, his gaze smug. “You don’t want her
to die because of the illness, do you?”
“You fiend!” Elspeth cursed. She didn’t believe him at all. “You can’t cure her.”
“Call Sonny, then. He can diagnose her. He can tell you if I’m telling the truth.” Arthur sat on the couch across from her and
crossed his legs.
Elspeth stared at him, her heart sinking, and she hesitated. She had checked on her mother before, but her disease was an odd
and stubborn one. It was nothing like she had seen before. Sonny was her master, so he should reach the same conclusion as
well. If he’s the only one who can cure my mother, then this is going to be trouble.
Elspeth’s hesitation didn’t escape Arthur. He crossed his arms and adamantly said, “Don’t worry. If you agree to the engagement
and go abroad with me, I can cure her.”
“What if you go back on your word? What if you won’t save my mother after we’re engaged?” Elspeth didn’t think Arthur would
keep his promise.
“I won’t. I don’t have to lie to you.”
“Why?”
“Because you saved me. I won’t kill your mother.”
Elspeth laughed as if she had just heard the biggest joke in her life, and she covered her mouth. “Don’t you think it’s laughable to
bring that memory up? You’re practically holding me, your savior, at gunpoint.”
“I don’t care what you believe. That’s the best deal I can give you, and your mother doesn’t have long to live.”
Elspeth clenched her fists, her nails burying into her flesh. “How long does she have left?”
“Three months. The disease will strike, and not even I can save her then.”

Three months? Elspeth felt a twang of pain in her heart. She had gone through hell to find her mother. Romantic love was
nothing when compared to familial love. Even if she could never date Callum ever again, she must save Helena. Elspeth raised
her head, her eyes filled with determination. “When are you going to bust her out?”
Arthur cocked his eyebrow, a smile curling his lips. “So, you agree to my terms, I take it?”
“Shut it. You’re taking her abroad for the treatment, aren’t you? When are you busting her out?” Elspeth felt nothing but anger
and disgust for this scheming, evil man.
“Ah, I can do that easily. I just have to tell Michael I can save his daughter, and he’ll give her over to me.” Arthur had learned a bit
of psychology before. Michael had lost his daughter once, so he wouldn’t let Helena die.
Elspeth heaved a sigh of relief. If that’s true, then the git isn’t totally evil, then. “Make it quick,” blurted Elspeth, yet she had
conflicting feelings about this.
“Make it quick? You’re so eager to get engaged, huh?” Arthur smirked. Elspeth hated that smile.
“Shut it. I just want you to cure my mother.” Elspeth shot him a glare. “Which room am I taking for the night?”
“Any room you want except for the first one from the left on the second floor.”
Elspeth’s fury subsided, replaced by a hint of cheekiness. “What’s with the room?”
Arthur smiled and mouthed something.
Whatever he said made Elspeth blush. She shot him a glare and went upstairs to pick a room for herself. For fear that someone
might overhear her from another room, she drew the curtains close and locked the door, then she took her ring out. She wouldn’t
expose herself in front of Arthur. He was a cunning and meticulous man, so he might realize something was up if he found out
what she had on her.
She was a doctor, after all. Attention to detail was her thing. A moment later, Elspeth managed to establish contact with Gilbert.
Just when she was about to ask about his situation, Gilbert blurted, “Elspeth? You’re still alive?”
“What? Why am I not alive?”
“What? Why am I not alive?”

Gilbert exchanged a look of surprise with Harper. “The Coles issued a statement this morning. Said you died last night because
your disease struck.”
Died because of my illness... Elspeth twitched her lips. That is so Edmund. Thanks for hiding the fact I ran from the wedding, but
you could have gone with better news. “So did the Jonesons get mad?” She wanted to know what Michael was doing.
“Obviously. The old git got so mad that he fell ill.”
That evil twat is on his deathbed. Heh. She felt a hint of sympathy for him, but she wouldn’t pity his situation.
“I think the Coles are helping you,” said Gilbert.
Elspeth was stunned. She asked, “How so?”
“Most people would at least hold an engagement party first, but they went straight to the wedding, and in ten days too. I think he
did all this so you could break free of the Jonesons. Since you’re married now, the git can’t force you to marry someone else. No
matter what they say after the wedding, the fact is you will be free of the Jonesons.”
Elspeth felt a little warm and fuzzy inside. That explains a lot. She thought the Coles might just let her escape slide, but she
never expected them to help her. Now, she knew they were helping her. Irving loves me. He wouldn’t make me marry someone I
didn’t love. Elias is a great man too. He wouldn’t do something like that either.
As for Edmund... he is already relenting a lot. Considering the fact that he’s proud, not coming after me is already the biggest
concession he can make. For some reason, she teared up. Elspeth wanted to call them, but since they had let her escape slide,
calling them would be rude.
“So where are you now, Elspeth?” Gilbert asked.
“I’m...” Elspeth almost said the answer out loud, but she stopped herself before she could. I can’t tell him about the deal just yet.