Filed To Story: The Broken-Hearted She and The Icy He Book PDF Free
He wasn’t giving up that easily.
Before John could speak again, Elsa’s hoarse, tear-laced voice cut through the room.
“John, Simon… when my mom called me, she really sounded awful. I didn’t know she was faking it-L swear I didn’t. I would never stoop so low as to frame someone. I don’t approve of what she did at all. But… she’s still my mom. I can’t just abandon her.”
Her voice trembled as tears streamed down her face.
“IKLily posts that video online, my mom’s reputation will be completely ruined. She’ll go to prison. She’s done so much for me over the years. I can’t bear to see her publicly humiliated… I don’t want to lose her to some online witch hunt. Please… can you help me? Don’t let Lily post that video.”
After pleading with John and Simon, she turned toward James.
His face-aristocratic and cold-was strikingly handsome. She had seen him before, but every time, it still made her heart skip.
Such an outstanding man… and Lily had actually been married to him?
How could someone like Lily possibly deserve that?
Out loud, she still called him “cousin” like Simon did, forcing down the bitterness and fury burning in her chest. Her voice shifted, soft and dignified, with just a hint of delicate grievance.
“My mom isn’t a bad person… she was even Madam Nancy’s classmate in college. She just made a terrible mistake this time. Please… can you help her? Don’t let Lily post that video online.”
James glanced down, and his eyes landed on the gold-threaded pendant Elsa wore today.
He’d once heard-unintentionally-that it was a keepsake left behind by Lily’s parents.
He had no romantic feelings for Lily. He didn’t like physical contact with her either.
But what he loathed even more… was a mistress who thought she could take whatever she wanted.
And Lily, to her credit, had cooperated with him throughout the divorce. He had promised to protect her before they officially parted ways-and he wouldn’t break that promise just to appease a petty interloper.
His tone was flat and merciless.
“That pendant around your neck belonged to Lily’s parents. Give it back.”
Elsa instinctively grasped the pendant hanging over her chest.
It was beautiful-exquisite even. She loved it.
She didn’t think Lily deserved such a treasure. She never had.
But what she feared more than losing the pendant was the fallout if Wendy’s crimes became public. James’ words seemed to imply that if she returned the necklace, he might stop Lily from posting the video.
So, swallowing her resentment, she unclasped the pendant and handed it back to Lily.
She lifted her teary, almond-shaped eyes and spoke with wounded dignity.
“I returned the pendant to Lily. So… will you make sure she doesn’t post the video online?”
“When did I ever say that giving the pendant back would stop the video from being posted?”
James’ eyes were cold, his voice like ice.
“That pendant belongs to Lily. It should’ve been returned to her a long time ago. Ivan, post the video.”
Elsa’s face went pale in an instant.
Years ago, Simon had brought her to a family dinner at the Luke estate. Back then, James wasn’t in a vegetative state yet.
He had treated everyone coldly-but not her. He had actually smiled and thanked her for saving Simon.
She had always believed there was something between them-a quiet bond.
And now? He was turning on her. For Lily.
For a woman he didn’t even want.
She couldn’t believe it.
If that video went online, what would the world say?
Even if she explained she had nothing to do with the plan, people would still tear her apart. The internet would never let her off easy. She was the daughter of a criminal, and that alone would be enough to destroy her.
She couldn’t let this happen.
She remembered how, back in the recording studio, Ivan had taken Lily’s side during their argument. She knew he wouldn’t lift a finger for her now.
With no one else to turn to, she looked back at John and Simon, eyes filled with tears.
“John, Simon, please… I’m begging you. The internet is vicious. If that video goes public, not just my mom, but I’ll be dragged into it too. People will harass me, insult me. Please… don’t let this happen…”
Simon still hadn’t fully come to terms with what Wendy had done.
But at the sound of Elsa’s pleading voice, he snapped out of it and instinctively snatched the phone from Ivan’s hand.
“Ivan, you can’t post that video! Lizzy saved my life-I can’t stand by and watch you ruin her and her mother. Give me the phone back!”
Ivan was absolutely livid at Simon’s refusal to see the truth.
He gave Elsa a disgusted glare and snapped back, “You all had no problem leaking Lily’s so-called blood/3 test to the public, stirring up hate, turning the internet against her. But now that we have the truth, you want to hide it? Why? Because it’s inconvenient? Because it hurts you?”
He reached for the phone again, but Simon wouldn’t let go.
Frustrated, Ivan turned to James.
“James! Simon’s bullying Lily and trying to steal my phone-teach him a lesson!”
Ivan’s voice was sharp with fury as he threw himself between them.
James turned, his eyes glacial, his presence alone enough to make Elsa’s heart flutter with panic.
She opened her mouth, about to speak-hoping to use this moment to get closer to him-but James’ voice cut her off. Cold. Unfeeling.
“The video has backups. Even if you destroy this phone, it won’t matter. Wrong is wrong. The truth will not be hidden. That video will be posted.”
He paused, his gaze landing briefly on Elsa.
“As for Elsa… I don’t believe someone so selfish and two-faced could have ever pulled you out of your darkest days. Don’t be a fool, Simon-don’t let someone with ulterior motives use you like a puppet.”
Simon froze, staring at James, stunned speechless.
Back when they were children, Lizzy had been warm, kind, like a little sun that brightened everyone around her.
He’d fallen for that Lizzy, the gentle one.
But the woman Elsa had become… She’d once framed Lily. He couldn’t forget the video of her going berserk-shredding Lily’s wedding dress with scissors, then slashing the back of Lily’s hand with the same blade. That crazed look in her eyes… it had chilled him to the bone.
Still… she had the safety charm he’d given her. She remembered the bond they once shared. How could she not be the same Lizzy?
Everyone made mistakes. She had probably just lost her way.
She had been with him through his darkest hours. To him, she would always be like a sister-someone he’d protect forever.
“She is Lizzy…”
Simon’s words were rushed, panicked. “Please… don’t post the video. Lily’s been hurt-I get it. I’ll make sure she’s compensated. Just… let Wendy off the hook.”
James’ tone didn’t budge an inch. “Wendy’s the reason Lily got hurt. She owes more than compensation- she owes time in prison.”
His voice turned sharper. “Simon, stay away from that mother-daughter pair. I’ll find out who that girl from the past really was.”
“Simon…”
Elsa’s voice cracked as her lips trembled violently. Fear gripped her tighter than ever.
James and Simon had always been close. And now, James was refusing to show him even a sliver of mercy -and threatening to dig up that long-buried past.
It had been sixteen years, but if he really went digging….
The consequences for her would be devastating..
She couldn’t afford to let that happen. She couldn’t afford to fall into that kind of mess.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as her head bowed low, her voice trembling with icy helplessness.
“I didn’t know my mom would do something so horrible. I never meant to cover for her. But… she is my mother. She gave me life. I just… I can’t bear to see her behind bars. Please. I’m begging you. Give her one more chance.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.