A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 54

The moment Tyson saw the man step out of the car, his pupils constricted sharply.

Elvis.

A fine drizzle had already begun to fall from the gray sky.

Elvis got out, umbrella in hand, and strode purposefully toward Winona. With a practiced flick, he opened the umbrella and held it over her head.

"Sorry," he said, his tone warm but apologetic. "Traffic was a nightmare. I'm late."

Winona's surprise was evident. "You're the one picking me up?"

Why would Mr. Ford send Mr. Rogers to fetch her? For something this trivial… It seemed like far too much trouble for someone of his status.

Yet Elvis didn't seem the least bit put out. He just gestured politely. "Let's get in the car."

"Nona!" Tyson was still sitting in his own car, staring daggers at them through the rain-speckled glass. "What are you waiting for? Get over here!"

There was no chance Winona would get in Tyson's car. She offered Elvis a polite smile. "Thank you, Mr. Rogers. Sorry to trouble you."

Her smile was the epitome of courtesy, but as Tyson watched from a distance, it seemed unbearably charming—enough to make his chest tighten with jealousy.

How could Winona smile like that at another man? Even if she was trying to get under his skin, this was going too far.

Elvis held the umbrella as he and Winona walked side by side toward his car.

Tyson's hand hovered over the door handle. He wanted to jump out and drag Winona back, but his pride wouldn't let him make a scene. Instead, he seethed in the driver's seat, shouting through the window, "Nona! I'll say this one last time—get over here!"

She didn't even spare him a glance.

When Elvis opened the car door for her, she slid inside without a moment's hesitation.

Tyson felt his blood pressure spike. She actually had the nerve to get into another man's car—right in front of him.

Winona, you really know how to push my buttons.

Maybe if he left her alone for a few days, she'd finally come to him.

But now, she was just getting bolder.

Simone sighed on the other end. "Nona was never like this before… Ty, once Celia gets out, maybe we should send her abroad."

"No!" Tyson snapped. "Mom, could you really bear to do that?"

"Of course not. But you and your sister…"

"And besides, that abusive ex-husband of hers is still overseas. You know that's a trauma for her. If you send her abroad, you're just rubbing salt in the wound."

There was a pause. Simone's tone changed, suddenly sharp. "Abusive ex-husband?"

Tyson hesitated, then continued, "Yeah. You didn't know? Celia didn't want you to worry, so she made me promise not to tell you. Her ex was a monster—started hitting her just months after they got married. She suffered a lot."