Elena's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected such a question, especially not from him, not at that moment, and certainly not with the seriousness in his tone. And then he said her name in full, Elena Lugard.
Hearing her name combined with his surname made her heart skip a beat. It reminded her, in the most subtle but powerful way, that she was his wife. She belonged to him. Not in a controlling way, but in a way that made her feel deeply connected to him, like they were one.
"What's the matter? Why the sudden question?" she asked, a worried look spreading across her face. It was unlike Ford to act so unsettled. He was always calm, always in control. He had a way of making everyone feel like everything would be alright, no matter what. So seeing him this tense shook her.
"Please, just answer me, Elena," Ford said, his voice soft but filled with urgency. "I need to know if you trust me."
