Chapter 8 Out Of Your Mind
Eleanor touched her cheek. Her eyes welled up, but she held the tears in. “Huh, one on each side now. That’s nice and symmetrical.”
Linda instantly regretted slapping Eleanor across the face. But Eleanor had pushed too far. Back when Serena got kidnapped, they had done everything to bury the story.
It didn’t matter whether Eleanor actually did it or not–it was already a stain on the
family name. And let’s be honest, everyone pretty much assumed she was behind it.
“Eleanor, you might not care about your reputation, but think about this family for once.” Linda felt a little guilty. But compared to the Donovan family’s dignity, that slap was nothing.
“Do you really want the whole world thinking we raised some shameless daughter with no morals? If you and Chris break it off, tell me what man would ever marry you after this?” said Linda.
“Mom, I told you back then–Serena got herself into that mess. If I hadn’t gotten lucky, I could’ve been the one taken,” Eleanor said. “My classmates backed me up, but you all
said we were in on it.
I
“I said I’d ask the locals, and you shot that down too, said they could be bribed. Then you told me not to make it a big deal, said it’d ruin Serena’s image. So what, I’m just supposed to carry that blame forever?”
Linda glared at her. “You’re still talking trash about Serena? Chris was ready to press charges, and she talked him down..
“She said her reputation didn’t matter that she wouldn’t let you take the fall. That’s the kind of person she is. No wonder Chris fell for her.”
‘They never believed me. That’s what this all comes down to, Eleanor thought.
She let out a dry laugh. “I told you–I didn’t do it, and I’m not going to confess to something I didn’t do. You just chose not to believe me. Well, guess what–now it’s not her pressing charges. It’s me.”
“Please, don’t,” Serena pleaded, looking pitiful as ever. “I was wrong. I never should’ve come back. I never should’ve fallen for Chris. Please… I can’t go through that
nightmare again.”
Eleanor looked around the room, spotted a chair, and picked it up as she walked toward her.
“What are you doing?!” Chris stepped in to stop her.
“I’m trying to help her,” Eleanor said, grinning. “Best way to make someone forget the past? Smack them hard enough to give them a concussion. Move, unless you want a matching one.”
1/3
Cheer Our Of
Chris seriously didn’t think she would do it. He tried to stand his ground–real knight–in- shining–armor energy.
But the next second, he screamed in pain. Eleanor actually hit him on the head with the chair. Lucky for him, she held back just enough not to crack his skull open.
“Eleanor, are you out of your damn mind?” Chris shouted.
“That’s right, I am, Eleanor snapped, shoving him out of the way. “So what if Serenal has depression on her record? I can fake some paperwork too, say I’ve got a mental disorder. If I ever killed someone, I wouldn’t even get the death penalty.”
“You’re insane! You’re totally insane! Chris yelled, holding his head, panicking now.
“When I was sane, you didn’t take me seriously. Now that I’m not, guess I’m finally making an impression,” Eleanor said with a twisted smile.
Chris took a few steps back, clearly spooked, trying to put some distance between
them.
“Nice people get walked all over, Eleanor said, tilting her head at him. “Maybe today’s a good day to show everyone how to deal with a cheating jerk and his side chick.”
Before Chris could react, Eleanor smacked him across the face. Then she kicked him square in the groin. His face contorted in pain–he just stood there frozen, too stunned to even block her next move.
“Eleanor! Stop this nonsense!” Linda shouted.
But it was too late. Eleanor had already yanked Serena out of bed and slapped her, twice–one for each cheek. “You stole the man I once loved,” Eleanor said calmly. “That
makes us even.”
Serena looked like a deer in headlights. The tears were flowing nonstop. Linda rushed forward, grabbed Eleanor, and raised her hand again-
“Go on,” Eleanor said, eyes and slap the other one too.”
locked on Linda’s. “You
just smacked this side–go ahead
“You-” Linda’s hand hovered in the air, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. With a long sigh, she lowered it. “How did I end up with a daughter like you…”
I
When Tyler walked into the ward, things were already a mess. One look at Eleanor’s red check, and his face turned darker than ever. He stared at her, clearly asking with his eyes, “This is your so–called plan?”
Eleanor gave him a confused look. “What? It worked, didn’t it?‘ she thought. There’s no winning when one’s stuck defending oneself. One has to flip the whole situation on its head.
‘I stirred the pot, made it chaotic, and dumped all the mess on those two clowns. Honestly, I did great. The messier this gets, the more control I have.”
Chris lowered his head the moment he saw Tyler. Guilt written all over his face. He
Chapter 8 Out Of Your Mind
couldn’t even look Tyler in the eye.
“What the hell is going on here?” Tyler snapped. “Chris, you really outdid yourself this time. The entire country knows what you pulled.”
“It wasn’t my fault—it was hers!” Chris pointed at Eleanor.
“Why do you think I did this, Chris?” Eleanor pointed to her chest. “Every word of yours. left another wound. So I’m walking away while I still can. You made this mess. You don‘ t get to pin it on me.”
Tyler said Eleanor’s name gently.
Eleanor stumbled toward him. “Tyler… I’m sorry.” And then she collapsed. Luckily, Tyler caught her just in time. He looked down and noticed her eyelids twitch a little. He shook his head.
“Chris, Tyler said coolly, “since the breakup was Eleanor’s decision, I won’t hold you to the engagement agreement. You can keep the shares. And as for that woman, marry her if you want.
“Mrs. Donovan, you can’t always trust what you see and hear. Think hard–when exactly did things start going downhill between Eleanor and you?”
With that, Tyler carried Eleanor out of the room. “Enough. We’re out.”
Eleanor blinked, then slowly opened her eyes. “Wow, Tyler, your timing was unreal. Now can you put me down?”
“Nope. You ‘fainted.‘ If anyone sees you walking around fine, this whole thing falls apart, Tyler said calmly. “Why are you so tense? I don’t actually have fangs and claws last I checked.”
“Well,” Eleanor replied. “I just figured aren’t you super OCD? Don’t like being near women and all that? I’d hate for you to have to toss this coat because of me. Shame, really.”
Tyler looked at her and said, “Who told you I don’t like being near women?”
