Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 550: Unfounded Jealousy

Chapter 550: Unfounded Jealousy

John and the others didn’t understand why Eric refused to go to Country W, but he had his reasons.

If he had to rely on a psychologist every time something happened, he wouldn’t like it. If he could heal on his own, perhaps it would be a complete recovery, never to relapse again.

Besides, visiting a psychologist felt unnatural to him—like a forced process.

Eric believed that as long as he gave himself time, he would eventually get better.

Ella had been waiting in the room for a long time, occasionally stepping onto the balcony to look at Eric sitting alone in the plaza.

She wanted to go to him, but she was afraid it would make him even angrier.

They rarely argued or gave each other the cold shoulder. But Ella thought, maybe as time passed, little cracks in their relationship would start to show.

Still, no matter what, her heart was filled with him.

Love needed patience and adjustments. Suddenly, Ella felt like they had gone back to the early days of their relationship—when she was cautious around him, when she had her doubts.

Back then, he had been upset for a while because of Brandon, but in the end, he still returned to her side.

Ella took a sip of warm milk, thinking about knitting a pair of cute baby shoes for their daughter, but she just couldn’t find the motivation.

It wasn’t until nearly eleven o’clock that Eric finally came back, reeking of cigarettes.

Ella wasn’t asleep. Under the dim light, her dark, round eyes opened, shimmering like black pearls.

Eric stood by the bed, gazing at the woman he loved most. Seeing her awake, her gentle eyes glowing with warmth, his heart softened.

He had overreacted earlier. How could Ella possibly have feelings for some young guy?

It was his own frustration over Victoria that had ruined his mood, his depression creeping back in, making him irrational—throwing all his doubts and resentment onto her.

"You’re back? Go take a shower," Ella said softly as she sat up.

Eric nodded, realizing that if he continued like this, he would only make her worry more.

By the time he finished showering and drying his hair, it was already half past eleven.

Ella was still lying there, her bright eyes shining like jewels, filling his heart with warmth.

Eric got into bed and gently held her hand. "Ella, I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that."

Ella let out a light laugh and pecked his lips. "It’s okay. I know you’re in a bad mood. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself."

Eric nodded. Holding Ella’s hand, his breathing became steady. Neither of them said anything more. Perhaps the issue with Liam could finally be put to rest.

But things didn’t always go as planned.

On the morning of the third day, as soon as Ella walked into the dining room, one of the bodyguards who had brought her phone immediately approached her.

"Madam, that man named Liam called. He said if you don’t return the painting, he’ll jump off a building and end his life."

Ella’s expression darkened instantly.

What kind of trick was Liam pulling? Was he that afraid she wouldn’t keep her word?

But if he actually went through with it over a painting, if a life was truly lost, she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

"Where are you going? You’re not even going to discuss this with me?"

Eric stood up from the living room, watching as Ella hurriedly headed for the door.

Ella paused. This morning, Amelia had taken the kids out to play. As a pregnant woman, she was supposed to stay home, especially with the holidays approaching and things getting chaotic outside.

"If he really jumps, neither of us will have peace of mind. Let’s go together?"

She turned back to look at Eric, her gaze sincere and pleading.

Eric’s face darkened, something inside him slowly fermenting.

"There’s no need to go. I’ve already taken care of it," Eric said flatly.

Ella looked at him in shock. "How did you handle it?"

"I had someone send an air cushion to the ground floor immediately. Let’s see if he dares to jump."

Eric remained calm and indifferent, making it almost impossible for Ella to breathe. "Eric, why are you being so petty over something so small? If something really happens to him, how will we live with that?"

"You’re being ridiculous. He’s the one choosing to seek death."

Ella was speechless. Eric might be struggling with depression, but should he really be saying things like this?

"Eric, just give the painting back to him. Is it really necessary? He’s just acting on impulse, it’s not like—"

"He’s someone you once sponsored. And you really think he got close to you without any ulterior motives? Guards, watch Madam. Don’t let her take a single step outside!"

Eric’s face turned cold. "I can’t stand those young men full of hidden intentions, and now you want to go and fulfill his wish?"

Ella was furious, but with the baby in her belly, she had to stay calm. With two bodyguards blocking her path, it was impossible for her to leave.

Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Moore exchanged glances, unsure whether they should intervene.

"Eric, why are you looking at me like that? Do you really think I can’t see through someone with ulterior motives? If that were the case, I’d be dead by now!"

Had he forgotten what she had been through? She had walked a path filled with dangers, treading carefully at every step, never giving anyone the chance to take advantage of her.

"Well said," Eric sneered. "Since you know I hate Liam, why do you insist on doing something that would disappoint me? Whether he jumps or not has nothing to do with us."

His voice was heavy with suppressed anger, and his eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.

These words weren’t even the harshest he could say.

The only reason he hadn’t lashed out completely was because he was trying his best to restrain himself.

Ella bit her lip, her hands trembling slightly, unsure of what to say. They rarely fought, but when they did, the issues were never small.

Eric wasn’t in the best mental state right now, and Ella knew she had to hold back. She couldn’t let such a minor issue make him even more agitated.

With an icy gaze, Eric turned on his heels and strode out, skipping breakfast entirely.

The atmosphere felt frozen.

Ella had thought he’d come to terms with it, but instead, he was still... doubting her.

Her heart ached with frustration and worry. If Eric’s depression had truly improved, he wouldn’t be thinking this way.

In the past, he had always trusted her unconditionally. Sure, he would get jealous once in a while, but he had never made such a big deal out of it.

"Madam..." Mrs. Harris hesitated, looking at Ella with concern.

Ella shook her head. "I’m fine. Go back to work."

She walked into the dining room, staring at the breakfast that had been prepared with all her favorite dishes.

Taking a deep breath to steady her emotions, she forced herself to eat.

Even though she still felt uneasy, she knew Eric was going through a difficult time. It was best to let him handle things on his own.

But to her surprise, in the days that followed, Eric continued to keep his distance. Even when he came home, he barely spoke to her, his face stiff with coldness.

Ella eventually found out from John that Liam really had jumped—but thanks to the air cushion, he hadn’t been injured.

Liam hadn’t called her in the past few days. Or maybe the bodyguards had intentionally kept it from her.

The painting was still hanging in Eric’s study. It hadn’t been returned to Liam.

This time, Eric’s jealousy was on a whole new level.

Ella truly didn’t see what the big deal was.

If someone with a crush wanted a picture of her, they could just secretly take a photo and save it on their computer. The intention was the same.