Elizabeth spotted Amanda at the exact same moment.
Henry had summoned Ethan, who then instructed Amanda to wait in the room so he could escort her back later. She questioned her own judgment in coming here tonight at all.
From the very start, no one in the Levine household had acknowledged her presence, let alone anyone from the Stuart family.
Running into Elizabeth now felt profoundly awkward.
Remembering how she used to mock, despise, and speak arrogantly to Elizabeth filled her with burning shame. She dreaded imagining the ridicule and attacks she would face if Elizabeth's true identity ever became public knowledge.
Elizabeth, of course, sensed Amanda's discomfort. A cold sneer formed on her lips.
A woman like Amanda deserved no sympathy from her, not even a shred.
Elizabeth walked past, her posture radiating a subtle but unmistakable haughtiness.
Amanda seethed with indignation.
In the past, she had been the one treating Elizabeth with such contempt.
Now, not only was she on the receiving end of Elizabeth's arrogance, but she was also forced to endure it silently.
The worst part was knowing she would have to keep swallowing this bitterness indefinitely!
Just as Elizabeth reached her own door, she saw Ethan walking down the corridor from the opposite end.
Their eyes met and held for a tense moment.
Elizabeth turned towards her room.
"Elizabeth," Ethan called out.
She paused, her hand on the doorknob.
"Not spending the night at Elise's?" he inquired.
"I'll make sure my windows and doors are securely locked. That way, I won't have to overhear anything from your room with Amanda next door," Elizabeth retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ethan said nothing.
Elizabeth felt the chasm between them was now insurmountable.
noveldrama
Even maintaining a familial relationship seemed like an impossible task.
She moved to enter her room again.
"James is a decent man," Ethan remarked from behind her.
Elizabeth let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
Had he stopped her just to push her into a relationship, to ensure she stopped fantasizing about him?!
"I'm aware," Elizabeth said, turning back to face him. "But matters of the heart are my own to decide. I wouldn't dare trouble you with my concerns. And rest assured, I have absolutely no expectations regarding you. I won't interfere in your relationship. As for my issues with Amanda, they are between her and me. They have nothing to do with you. Whether she is your girlfriend or not doesn't change the fact that I despise her. Naturally, I'll maintain appearances in front of the Levines, and I will do my utmost not to disrupt your marital plans with her."
"That wasn't my intention..."
"I have no interest in your intentions," Elizabeth cut him off mid-sentence. "I've stated my position clearly, hoping you will refrain from bothering me in the future. Good night, Mr. Parker."
She slammed the door shut with finality.
Whether any lingering affection remained, Ethan was firmly in her past.
Ethan stared at the solid, unyielding wood of the closed door.
Elizabeth made no effort to conceal her disdain, her utter disgust towards him.
Perhaps that was for the best.
He turned and walked back to his own room.
Amanda immediately painted a sweet, welcoming smile on her face.
"Ethan."
"My father wishes to see you," he stated flatly in response.
Amanda was taken aback.
A moment later, her shock transformed into a flutter of gratification.
It was understandable, of course. The Stuarts and Levines were important guests, demanding their full attention. Her neglect was inevitable under the circumstances.
Now that the Stuarts were properly settled, they finally had time to grant her a proper audience.
Joy bubbled within her, but she carefully maintained a veneer of demure nervousness on the surface.
"Ethan, is your father approachable? Will he be difficult? I feel so anxious."
"He won't deliberately make things hard for you," Ethan replied mildly. "Let's go."
Amanda quickly looped her arm through his, making herself appear delicate and dependent.
Ethan did not pull away.