Page 76 of Boarded Hearts

“Felicity, forget the dishes for a moment, please. Come open the presents with the kids before they head out.”

I set my phone on the kitchen counter and make my way into the lounge as Elliott has asked. These last twenty-four hours have been like taking a step back in time, a window into my former life. Elliott calling the shots, what time we eat, sleep, and unwrap presents. He can’t help but need to control every aspect of this family.

On entering the room, I set my wine glass on the side table and walk over to where Darcy, Jack, and Elliott are gathered around and distributing presents into piles.

Elliott smiles at me as I take a seat next to Darcy and place my hand over hers. “I think you’ll like what I got you, but if it’s not the right color then tell me, and I’ll exchange it.”

Without hesitation, she rips open the pink wrap. “Oh, Mum, it’s perfect! I love it!” She stares down at the mauve Mulberry clutch bag I got her. Normally, I wouldn’t spend so much at Christmas, but I remember Darcy seeing one very similar last time we went shopping, and with me buying such an expensive gift for Jack’s birthday, I wanted to treat her, especially since she’s had a rough year. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me tight, and I savor this moment of being reunited with my daughter.

I look up to find Elliott scowling at the gift. “That’s rather extravagant, Darcy. Your mother went all out this year, didn’t she?” He leans across to take a closer look. “Mulberry. Mark must be paying well. Labels like those are normally only seen on celebrities or wives of rich men.” I flush at his suggestion. It’s subtle enough to bypass both Darcy and Jack but sufficiently cutting to hit me straight where he intended—to have a cheap snipe at my relationship with Jon and that I’m in the money now that I’m a kept woman.

“Earning as you are, you'll be able to quit work soon,” he tags on.

Another blow and the tears fight to break free as his snide comments invite back an onslaught of memories from our marriage. He’s been on his best behavior since I arrived, controlling yet at least pleasant enough, but now the mask is slipping, and Elliott’s true colors are being revealed once again.

I stand up from where I’m sitting and grab my wine glass. “I’m going to grab a refill; anyone need anything?” I ask in the chirpiest voice I can muster.

“No, I’m good, Mum,” Jack replies as he begins ripping into gifts from his dad. I don’t bother to stay for a moment longer as I make my way back to the kitchen to gather myself before I head back into Elliott’s snake pit for round two.

“You didn’t open your present from me.” Elliott comes to stand beside me as I wait for the kettle to boil for my chamomile tea.

“I was embarrassed you got me anything, I didn’t think we were buying gifts for each other anymore.” I begin stirring the tea bag through the hot water, not lifting my eyes to his. The entire afternoon has been laced with passive-aggressive comments from Elliott toward me and Jon. And now Darcy and Jack have left for the evening. Darcy has gone to Liam’s and Jack over to his friend’s, and we’re all alone. The part of my visit I’ve been dreading the most.

Even though Elliott has never hurt me physically, I can’t help but flinch at the way he places his hand on my shoulder. “I will always care for you, Felicity, and I wanted to treat you, so please, open my gift?”

Tea in hand, I follow him back to the living room and kneel in front of the tree.

He passes me his gift and with trepidation I begin tearing at the paper. Red wrap gives way to duck egg blue as it slowly dawns on me that, shit, he’s bought me jewelry. I freeze, staring at the small box in my hands.

“Well, aren’t you going to open it?” Elliott eyes me expectantly.

I pop the lid on the box. It’s a rose gold heart pendant with a pretty diamond set in the center. It must’ve cost a fortune. “Elliott,” I say, shaking my head. “This is, well, it wasn’t necessary.”

“Here, let me put it on you.”

“Oh, okay,” I reply on a panicked breath, the moment feeling far too intimate on his behalf. Something I categorically do not want to accept.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it since Elliott is standing right behind me, clasping the pendant around my neck.

Taking a step back, he smiles proudly. “It suits you.”

I lift my hand to the chain knowing full well this isn’t the sort of gift an ex-husband gives his former wife. It’s far too personal. Discomfort rising within me, I press my lips together and look at him. “This is too much.”

He’s exasperated, I can tell. Eighteen years of marriage means I don’t miss a beat when it comes to his moods. “Too much for whom exactly, you or him?”

“Him?” If he’s going to start a fight, he can at least use his name.

“Oh, come on, you know precisely who I’m talking about. Jon fucking Morgan.”

I rise to my feet and make to leave the room. I came back to Oxford for my children, not to argue with Elliott over who I do or don’t date. “I’m done with this conversation, Elliott.”

He scoffs. “You think he loves you? That he’ll still be around in a few years?”At his words, I stop in my tracks and turn around. “Because if you truly think that, then you’re more stupid than I first thought.”

Anger swells within me. He doesn’t know a damn thing. “How could you possibly know what Jon wants? He cares about me, and I care about him. It’s that simple.”

“So, what, you think he’s going to marry you? Settle down and live happily ever after,” Elliott mocks. “Get real, Felicity.”

I race to boiling point in record time, the red mist descending. “Oh, yes, because that must be what I want. Get married, settle down, and have children. Neither Jon nor I could possibly want anything else. Unlike our marriage, I’m fifty percent of our relationship and Jon sees me. He knows who I am and that I have dreams. You…” My voice cracks and I fight to maintain my composure as I point at him, my entire arm shaking. “You just kept me under your thumb, to be who you wanted me to be. So go fuck yourself, Elliott.”

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