Chapter 1

Eleanor Vance had two childhood sweethearts who were twins.

The older brother, William Sterling, was refined and gentle, courteous and dignified.

The younger brother, Sebastian Sterling, was reckless and fiery, passionate and uncompromising in love and hate.

For her sake, they engaged in open and hidden rivalry for a full eighteen years.

In the end, Eleanor chose William as her husband.

But one passionate night, William buried his face in the crook of her neck and whispered in a husky voice: "Sister-in-law."

...

That single word, "Sister-in-law," threw Eleanor's mind into chaos.

Watching William get out of bed, she grabbed his arm without thinking and asked with a trembling voice.

"Who are you, really?

Are you William or Sebastian..."

William turned his head. His well-defined face, aside from the lingering traces of satisfied desire, was full of tenderness.

"Eleanor, even if Sebastian is my own brother, I still get jealous when you keep bringing him up."

With that, he got up and went to the bathroom.

The sound of running water reached her ears, pulling Eleanor's thoughts back to the past.

In the top-tier wealthy Sterling family, there were two young masters: William and Sebastian.

They were twins, identical in appearance but utterly different in personality.

William was of noble character. At nineteen, he had been designated as the family heir, becoming the model of a perfect gentleman.

Sebastian, however, was reckless and arrogant. He sought revenge for the slightest grievance, and everyone said he was just a troublemaker.

The brothers secretly competed for Eleanor, engaging in a rivalry that spanned over a decade.

At the movies, when William fed her popcorn, Sebastian would deliberately knock over the bucket.

During meals, when William cut her steak, Sebastian would hide her knife and fork.

She had never liked the obsessive Sebastian, so when they grew up, she accepted William's confession.

Sebastian refused to accept it. Like a madman, he abducted her to Iceland and held her captive for a month, treating her as his personal possession.

When William found out, he went to teach Sebastian a lesson. During their violent struggle, Sebastian fell into the sea and vanished without a trace.

This incident left Eleanor with indelible trauma.

Click. The steamy bathroom door opened.

William walked out, fully dressed.

"Eleanor, everyone is waiting downstairs to celebrate my birthday. I'll go greet them first; you rest a little longer."

As he spoke, he leaned down and left a light kiss on her forehead.

The familiar kiss soothed the panic rising in Eleanor's heart.

After William left, she tried to shake off her unease, got up to freshen up, and went downstairs.

From a distance, Eleanor saw William in the living room, chatting and laughing with a few close friends.

A smile curled on her lips as she walked over, but a voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Sebastian, you kept your sister-in-law busy for quite a while just now. We all thought you wouldn't come down tonight."

"Sebastian, you're the real actor here. Pretending to be your brother to sleep with your sister-in-law for three years."

"Back then she didn't choose you, didn't even glance at you no matter how you begged. But now? She's moaning under you every night, letting you play with her however you like."

The disgusting, mocking laughter made Eleanor freeze, her mind exploding.

What was going on?

How could William have turned into Sebastian?

She gazed at the figure in the suit under the light. That slightly raised chin, bearing a trace of casual arrogance, gradually overlapped with the Sebastian in her memory.

Could it be that for the past three years, the man by her side day and night had been Sebastian all along?

!

Before she could make sense of it, the main door was pulled open.

Eleanor looked toward the sound and saw a tall, imposing figure walk in.

The man wore a tailored black suit, exuding an air of nobility. His chiseled features were identical to those of Sebastian, who sat in the host's seat.

The only difference was the golden brooch pinned at his collar—the symbol of the head of the Sterling family!

This was the real William.

In that moment, Eleanor couldn't stop trembling. Her nails dug into her palms, nearly drawing blood.

William walked straight toward Sebastian, his gentle voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Sebastian, don't go too far. I only asked you to stay by Eleanor's side in my place, not to hurt her."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a mocking sneer curling his lips.

"William, you were the one who said you only saw Eleanor as a sister and wanted to chase your little secretary. That's why we planned this impersonation scheme—so I could fulfill your 'husbandly duties' for you."

"If you regret it, we can switch back. But don't forget what Grandpa said—he wants a grandson this year. If you don't think it's dirty, go ahead and sleep with her."

William didn't reply, but his gentle brows furrowed slightly.

His disdain was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the last shred of hope remaining in Eleanor's heart.

Chapter 2

The laughter from afar continued, but Eleanor returned to her room alone.

She sat before the vanity, the mirror reflecting her deathly pale face.

A moment later, she opened a drawer and pulled out a signed divorce agreement from the back.

This was what William had personally signed and given to her when they got married.

"Eleanor, it's my first time being a husband. This is my guarantee to you.

If I ever fail you or let you be mistreated, use this to hold me accountable at any time."

At the time, Eleanor didn't understand why the "guarantee" William gave her was a divorce agreement.

He had treated her with gentle care since childhood, cherishing her like a treasure.

Every time Sebastian provoked her, William was the one who stood in front to protect her.

Even after she was rescued from Sebastian's kidnapping, when everyone said she had lost her purity and was no longer worthy of him.

He still accompanied her to therapy and, ignoring the rumors, gave her a wedding that shook high-society.

She had believed he loved her.

It wasn't until today that she completely understood.

William only saw her as a sister, which was why he had prepared the divorce agreement so early—to leave her a way out.

A dense, bitter pain rose in her chest again, as if she were being repeatedly pierced by fine needles.

Eleanor suppressed her emotions, and picked up a pen to sign her name on the agreement without hesitation.

William didn't love her; he had even gone so far as to swap identities with Sebastian to deceive her.

Then there was no need to keep this marriage anymore.

Putting the agreement away, Eleanor planned to head straight to the Family Court.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.

A second later, the real William pushed the door open and entered, asking her gently.

"Eleanor, are you rested?"

Eleanor quietly put away the agreement, then looked at him, forcing a slight smile: "Yes, I'm ready."

William naturally extended his hand to her.

"Then let's go downstairs. I have another surprise for you."

The two arrived in the living room, where the birthday banquet was still ongoing.

Standing beside Sebastian was a woman in a pink gown, smiling radiantly.

As they approached, William's warm voice sounded timely in Eleanor's ear.

"Eleanor, Sebastian isn't dead. He just came back today and wants to apologize to you in person for the kidnapping back then."

As the words fell, Sebastian looked up at Eleanor, a lazy, uninhibited smile curling on his face.

"Eleanor, it was my youthful possessiveness acting up back then. I offended you, and I apologize."

As he spoke, he glanced sideways and wrapped his arm around the woman's waist, his voice turning suggestive.

"Let me introduce you. Victoria Miller, my girlfriend.

She was the one who saved me after I fell into the sea back then.

Over these years, she's tamed my rebellious streak. I'm settling down."

Immediately after, Victoria smiled and chimed in: "Mrs. Sterling, it's been a long time. I never thought we'd become 'sisters-in-law'."

Her smile was sweet, but her gaze burned as she looked at William.

Eleanor's eyelashes trembled slightly as she gradually recognized who she was.

Victoria used to work at the Sterling Group; she was William's secretary.

She had fallen in love with William at first sight and openly challenged Eleanor, his legitimate wife.

But back then, William had clearly gotten angry and fired her.

Eleanor hadn't expected that the secretary William went to such lengths to pursue—even swapping identities with Sebastian—was Victoria.

Unable to suppress the emotions swelling in her chest any longer, she countered with a question instead: "It is quite surprising. I remember Ms. Miller pursued William openly even though she knew William was with me; I didn't expect her to fall for Sebastian now."

"Eleanor, watch your words."

Barely had she finished speaking when the usually gentle William cut her off with a hint of anger.

Eleanor's heart clenched, and she gazed at him in silence.

In that moment, she once again confirmed the significance Victoria held in William's heart.

Under her gaze, William realized his tone had been too harsh, and his demeanor softened.

"Eleanor, I wasn't trying to scold you..."

Before he could finish, the lights in the living room suddenly went out.

Someone nearby said: "The dance is starting. Quick, hold on to your partners."

Eleanor had no mood for dancing. Without a word to William, she used the darkness as cover to slip away.

But as soon as she turned, she was seized by a pair of large hands radiating a scorching heat.

A familiar scent of mint cologne instantly enveloped her.

The next second, a voice thick with desire whispered right against her ear.

"Eleanor, we haven't tried it in the dark yet..."

Chapter 3

With that, the man forcibly gripped her wrist, spun her around, and glided into the center of the dance floor.

This familiar, obsessive behavior could only belong to Sebastian.

Eleanor stiffened, frowning in discomfort: "Let go of me!"

She struggled with all her might, but as the music swelled, the hand at her waist tightened, nearly crushing her into his embrace.

Flustered and angry, Eleanor couldn't hold back and cried out: "Sebastian, let go!"

With a sudden snap, the lights blazed back on.

Eleanor blinked against the glare, only to find William standing beside her.

Across from them, Victoria was clinging to Sebastian's arm, while he stared at Eleanor with a look of leisure.

"Eleanor, were you calling my name just now?

Dancing with my brother while thinking of me... I'm flattered."

Victoria, however, pouted in feigned annoyance: "Ms. Vance, I know you, Sebastian, and Mr. Sterling grew up together as childhood sweethearts."

"But surely you haven't gone so far as to confuse your own husband with his brother?"

Eleanor had no intention of tolerating Victoria's provocation and was about to retort.

But William beat her to it: "It's a misunderstanding. Sebastian just returned, and Eleanor likely hasn't adjusted yet."

Turning to her, he asked gently: "Are you tired?

Let me take you back to your room."

Eleanor certainly had no desire to play these games with them, but she also refused to be taken for a fool.

She looked at William and Sebastian, her tone laced with self-mockery: "I really am starting to lose the ability to tell you two apart."

With that, she turned and headed upstairs without waiting to see their reaction.

Unexpectedly, William quickly chased after her, explaining as he followed.

"Eleanor, back on the dance floor... I was too anxious and failed to hold onto your hand. It won't happen again."

Once in the room, he bent down to remove her high heels, prepared warm milk for her, and adjusted her pillow to the exact height she preferred.

Seeing him so gentle and considerate, memories of his past kindness surged within her.

When she was sick as a child, it was William who had stayed by her bedside all night long.

Why would William, who had always favored her and acted as her knight, lie to her?

Eleanor felt a blockage in her chest, a sensation that was both aching and suffocating.

She looked up, unable to hold back her question: "William, why are you and Sebastian working together to deceive me?"

The words had barely left her lips when William's phone rang.

He quickly silenced the screen.

Yet she still caught the name displayed on the screen: Victoria.

Afterwards, he said to her: "Eleanor, what did you say just now?

I'm sorry, I have something to deal with. Can we talk when I get back?"

Eleanor did not answer, her heart turning cold.

She had nothing left to ask, and she no longer held any hope for William.

Once the divorce was final, she would no longer be stung by this hypocritical tenderness.

So, after William left, Eleanor went online and booked an appointment to file for her divorce certificate.

The next day, as dawn broke,

Eleanor tucked the divorce agreement into a paper document envelope and went downstairs.

At the dining table, she saw William holding a spoon, gently blowing on a spoonful of congee for Victoria.

"Have another bite, be a good girl."

That look of gentle focus and patience made Eleanor drift back to the past in a daze.

Years ago, when Sebastian had locked her in the freezer as a prank, leaving her comatose with a high fever, it was William who had gently coaxed her to take her medicine.

The memory pierced Eleanor's heart like a needle. She averted her gaze and walked straight toward the door.

But William suddenly called out to stop her.

"'William' had to go on an emergency business trip last night. He was worried about leaving you alone, so he asked Victoria and me to stay here and keep you company."

"Sister-in-law, care to join us for breakfast?"

The way he said "Sister-in-law" sounded entirely too natural.

Eleanor turned back to look at William, finding the whole situation absurd and laughable.

Before she could refuse, Victoria casually took the file folder from her hand, placed it on the table, and pulled her down to sit.

"Sister-in-law, just have a bite with us. You shouldn't go hungry."

As she spoke, she reached out to serve the congee.

"I'll do it myself."

Eleanor raised her hand to take the ladle, but the moment her fingers brushed the rim of the bowl, Victoria's hand slipped.

Scalding congee splashed onto the back of Eleanor's hand. A searing pain exploded like fire, leaving the skin instantly red and angry.

"Victoria!"

William immediately grabbed Victoria's hand, checking her for injuries.

His sharp gaze was cold as ice as he glared at Eleanor.

"Sister-in-law, Victoria was kind enough to serve you congee. Why would you try to scald her on purpose?"

"Whatever misunderstandings you've had in the past, she is my girlfriend now, and I won't let anyone hurt her!"

His voice was commanding, carrying an oppressive weight that brooked no argument.

It was the back of her hand that was burned, yet Eleanor felt the pain searing through her heart.

She choked back a sob. "She didn't hold it steady. It had nothing to do with me..."

Before she could finish, she noticed the file folder on the table had also been soaked by the congee.

Her face went pale, and she reached out to grab it.

But William's long fingers were faster. He snatched up the folder and tore it open in one swift motion

Chapter 4

Just as William was about to pull out the divorce agreement, Victoria cried out in pain.

"It hurts... Will my hand scar?"

William's expression tightened instantly; he dropped the documents, bent down to scoop Victoria into his arms, and strode out.

"Get the car ready! To the hospital!"

Eleanor gazed at the paper on the floor stamped "Divorce Agreement," the corners of her lips twitching slightly.

It was just as well he didn't see it.

At least now there was no need to tear into each other face-to-face, sparing them an embarrassing confrontation.

She crouched down to pick it up, treated scald on her hand simply, and then took a taxi to the Family Court.

Ten minutes later, she walked out of the divorce hall.

As she stood by the roadside waiting for a car, her phone vibrated in her pocket.

It was a call from the photography director at ELLE magazine; Eleanor answered.

"Eleanor, are you really going to give up the chance to study at Central Saint Martins in the UK?"

"The photo series "the Weeping Graces" you shot previously won a top international award. You have a gift for photography."

The director had mentioned this opportunity to her before.

But back then, she hadn't known that William and Sebastian had swapped identities. Lost in the bliss of her marriage, she had politely declined.

Yet the truth was, the man she had been intimate with all these years was the detestable Sebastian.

Thinking of this, Eleanor hesitated no longer and seized the opportunity.

"Thank you for keeping this opportunity open for me, Director Thomas. I've decided to go."

A surprised yet delighted response came from the other end of the line.

"That's wonderful!

I'll submit your documents right away.

Though… this will mean a long-distance relationship with your husband."

The call had already ended, but Eleanor curled her lips slightly.

No, she wouldn't be in a long-distance relationship, because she was about to be single and free.

Putting her phone back in her pocket, Eleanor was just about to hail a cab when a Rolls-Royce suddenly pulled up.

Then, the door opened, and Sebastian rushed over to grab her hand, mimicking William's gentle tone.

"Eleanor, I heard your hand was injured. Did you apply medicine?

It's my fault; I shouldn't have let Sebastian and Victoria stay at the villa."

Eleanor didn't know how Sebastian knew she was here, but she couldn't be bothered to guess.

If they weren't tired of pretending, she was certainly tired of watching.

She pulled her hand back and said indifferently, "It's fine. I've already treated it."

His palm empty, Sebastian's eyes darkened for a moment, but in a flash, he was gazing at Eleanor tenderly again.

"How about this? I'll take you out to relax. A friend has booked the entire Royal Opera House for a Classical Opera performance. Haven't you been hitting a wall with your photography lately?

Maybe you'll find some inspiration once you're there."

Again, without waiting for her refusal, he ushered her into the car.

Eleanor simply closed her eyes to rest.

She tuned out whatever ridiculous lies he was spinning the entire way.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the Royal Opera House, a century-old establishment in the capital.

Sebastian acted like the perfect husband, opening the car door for her, having the waiter prepare her favorite snacks in advance, and draping his coat over her shoulders.

His friends who were present saw this and started teasing him.

"That's too much! You're so lovey-dovey; us single guys have feelings too, you know!"

Eleanor didn't respond.

She just quietly watched the screen and backdrop on the stage before her.

She had to admit, she actually found a spark of inspiration, and her focus sharpened instantly.

By the time she snapped out of her thoughts, she realized Sebastian and his friends were nowhere to be seen.

She was the only one left in the entire seating area.

Eleanor frowned and was about to stand up when the opera acrobat on stage suddenly performed a fire-breathing act, sending roaring flames straight in her direction!

It happened so suddenly that although she dodged quickly, the back of her hand was singed by sparks once again.

With new injuries added to the old, she couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

She hurriedly ran to the restroom and quickly used cold water to cool the scald.

Just then, several thugs in garish clothes walked in, eyeing her with naked lust.

"Oh my, looks like we got lucky today. Running into a stunner like this."

"Don't be scared, baby girl. We'll take good care of you and make you feel real good."

Eleanor's face turned pale. Realizing the danger, she immediately bolted for the door.

But she was a step too late; her wrist was grabbed by one of the thugs.

"What do you want?

Let me go!"

Eleanor struggled desperately, but her injured hand was in too much pain to exert any strength, and her cries for help met with no response.

Despair drowned her like a rising tide. Just as the thug's hand was about to tear her clothes...

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, the door was kicked open violently!

Sebastian's eyes were bloodshot. He kicked the thugs away, his voice hoarse and beast-like: "Get lost!"

Terrified by his terrifying aura, the thugs scrambled out the door in a panic.

His hands were trembling as he scooped Eleanor up: "Eleanor, are you alright?"

His pitch-black eyes were filled with lingering fear, as if he had almost lost his entire world.

Eleanor's consciousness was a bit hazy. She opened her mouth to speak, but then she heard another voice drift in.

"Sebastian, why did you rush in? Wasn't the plan to let those thugs ruin Eleanor to avenge Victoria?

!"

Chapter 5

After that single sentence, Eleanor heard nothing else.

When she woke again, she found herself lying in a hospital bed.

She moved her arm slightly, and a searing pain shot through her with crystal clarity.

In the room, the nurse changing her dressing spoke with a smile.

"Miss, you're awake. Your husband went to pay the bills.

He carried you all the way to the burn unit earlier, looking absolutely frantic."

With that, she pushed her cart out of the room.

Eleanor forced a weak smile, the words she heard before passing out flashing through her mind.

Just then, the phone on the bedside table suddenly rang.

Thinking it was hers, she picked it up, only to realize it belonged to Sebastian.

On the screen, a group chat history glared back at her.

[Sebastian, when you rushed in to save Eleanor, we actually thought you'd gone soft.]

[William already declared he'd let Eleanor's hands burn to avenge Victoria's scald. You can't let him outdo you.]

Sebastian's reply was brief: [I know what I'm doing.]

[Eleanor didn't choose me back then, and I'm not done exacting my revenge. I only saved her because I didn't want her sullied by anyone else—it would make playing with her later too disgusting.

You all know who really holds my heart.]

[Fighting William for Eleanor in the past was just for kicks. It wasn't until I met Victoria that I understood what true love is.]

[But Victoria loves my brother. He can give her everything she wants. As long as she's happy, I've accepted letting her go.]

[Anyway, having Eleanor is enough to relieve my urges. I can sleep with her however I want, and that's sufficient.]

The group responded in unison with agreeing stickers.

[When you get bored of her, let the boys have a taste of Eleanor too. With those curves of hers, she looks like quite a treat.]

A few seconds later, Sebastian replied: [Sure.]

It felt as though a hole had been brutally torn through Eleanor's heart.

She returned the phone to its place, biting her lip hard, yet her eyes still reddened uncontrollably.

Only in this moment did she truly understand what it meant to be in so much pain that no sound could escape.

After a long while, her expression gradually settled into calm.

Like burnt-out charcoal that had consumed the last of its searing heat, leaving behind only a cold, dead silence.

In the days that followed during her hospitalization.

Sebastian continued to stay by her side, maintaining the identity of William.

Every day, he personally stewed soups and brewed medicine for her, gifted her the season's trendiest luxury bags and dresses, and even brought his work laptop to the ward, handling business while looking through photography collections with her.

It wasn't until a phone call summoned him away that he left. Before going, he leaned down to tuck her in, his gaze so tender it seemed it could melt:

"Eleanor, something urgent came up at the company. I'll be back to keep you company as soon as I handle it. Rest well."

He then gave detailed instructions to the caregiver and nanny regarding her dietary preferences before finally leaving with peace of mind.

When the nurse came to change her dressing, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Ms. Vance, Mr. Sterling treats you so well. He's attentive and patient—simply a model husband!"

Eleanor twitched the corners of her mouth slightly but made no reply.

Her gaze fell upon the tablet, where Sebastian had left his X account logged in.

His "Special Follow" was Victoria.

In Victoria's latest post, the real William was shown with his head bowed, gently wiping her fingers with a cotton swab, his expression the very picture of tenderness.

The caption read: "It was just a minor scald, yet someone was frantic, flying me to several countries to find skin specialists. I really can't help it with him; looks like I'm inseparable from him for this lifetime~"

Recalling how Sebastian had just rushed off, Eleanor felt nothing but a bitter sense of irony.

She didn't wait for Sebastian to return, handling the discharge procedures herself.

Once she got home.

The first thing she did was pack up all of Sebastian's belongings.

This house had been part of the engagement gifts he gave her when they married.

And she wasn't foolish enough to walk away with nothing in the divorce.

So on the day of the divorce, the only ones packing up to leave would be these unreliable men.

Chapter 6

Just as she finished packing, the magazine office called.

"Eleanor, before you go abroad, there's one more booking for engagement photos. The client insisted on you as the photographer, specifically requested you..."

"Send me the address."

After receiving the address, Eleanor grabbed her camera and headed out.

On Aspen Mountain in autumn, the pure white snow-capped peaks shone in harmony with the vibrant, dyed layers of the forest below.

Eleanor gazed at the breathtaking scenery, losing herself for a moment.

Years ago, she and William had taken their engagement photos here as well.

But quickly, she suppressed the rising bitterness in her heart, shifted into work mode, and walked toward the shooting location.

"Ms. Vance, what a coincidence. I didn't expect you to be the photographer for our engagement photos."

Eleanor looked toward the voice and saw Victoria in a pure white wedding dress, standing beside William, who was clad in a black suit.

When William saw Eleanor, his dark, deep eyes paused briefly in shock, but he looked away almost immediately.

Victoria handed over her phone with a beaming smile.

"We took similar ones at the foot of Mount Fuji before. Please use this style as a reference, Ms. Vance. We want that romantic atmosphere."

Eleanor looked at the phone screen.

In the photo, the snow-capped mountain reflected the skylight.

Snowflakes rested in their hair, looking like a quiet, tender frame from a movie.

However, when she saw the date in the corner, Eleanor's breath hitched.

September 25, 2023.

That was the exact day she and William had taken their engagement photos.

But the real William had been with Victoria, admiring the snow at the foot of Mount Fuji.

A wave of bitterness surged up her throat, and Eleanor's eyelashes trembled slightly.

"Eleanor, let's begin."

William suddenly spoke.

Eleanor looked at the man who was still lying to her and gave a sarcastic smile: "Fine."

This marriage would end soon anyway. Whether the man taking engagement photos with Victoria was Sebastian or William made no difference to her.

By the time the shoot ended, it was nearing dusk.

William went to get the car first.

Eleanor packed up her equipment and was about to leave when Victoria suddenly walked up to her.

"Ms. Vance, it must be painful, right?

You've really had a hard time."

Eleanor frowned: "What do you mean?"

Victoria smiled, then pulled a bank card from her bag and handed it to her.

"Stop playing dumb. You figured out long ago that William and Sebastian swapped identities for my sake."

"Sebastian only lowered himself to replace William and has pretended to be your husband for three years for the sake of my happiness.

Consider this money compensation for your hard work serving Sebastian all these years."

"Neither William nor Sebastian likes you. Clinging to the empty title of Mrs. Sterling makes you no different from a shameless stray dog."

"If you're smart, take the money and leave the Sterling family sooner rather than later."

As the harsh words rained down one after another, Eleanor clenched her hands, her fingernails nearly digging into her palms.

"Whether I leave the Sterlings or not is my choice."

"If you're really so capable, make William divorce me in his capacity as the head of the Sterling family!"

Having said that, she didn't look at Victoria's frozen expression again and turned to leave.

Halfway down, it suddenly began to rain.

Shielding her camera, she ran all the way. By the time she reached the foot of the mountain, her dress was completely soaked.

The icy fabric clung to her skin, sending waves of chills through her body.

Just as she was feeling utterly helpless, a black sedan slowly pulled up.

Then, a young gentleman stepped out, took off his coat, and handed it to her.

"Miss, the rain is pouring. If you don't mind, I can give you a ride back to the city."

His gaze was candid, his manners impeccable—a true gentleman.

Eleanor was about to refuse when her wrist was suddenly seized by a large hand.

She turned around and crashed into William's terrifyingly gloomy gaze.

His voice was low and hoarse, wrapped in suppressed rage: "Eleanor... Sister-in-law, you're getting soaked on purpose. Are you trying to cheat on my brother?"

Eleanor froze for a moment, but she quickly understood the meaning behind his words.

William was so furious because he was worried she was having an affair, but he was also jealous.

Eleanor shook off his hand and curled her lips into a cold sneer.

"Sebastian, even if I did it on purpose, the one getting jealous would be your brother!

It has nothing to do with you!"

Chapter 7

"How is this none of my business? I just..."

William swallowed his words and corrected himself: "My brother isn't here, so I can't just stand by and watch.

Get in the car. I'll take you back."

Eleanor ignored him completely, turned around, and got into the stranger's car in front of her.

An hour later.

Eleanor pushed open the villa door, surprised to find Sebastian actually at home.

Seeing her return, he immediately stood up and rushed over, looking concerned and nervous.

"Eleanor, where have you been?

The hospital said you discharged yourself. When I didn't see you at home, I was worried sick."

William and Sebastian—one could pretend, and the other could act.

Eleanor had been caught in the rain and her head felt heavy. She brushed him off with a vague excuse: "I caught a chill. I want to take a shower first."

With that, she went upstairs.

But Sebastian's puzzled voice came from behind her.

"Eleanor, you packed away my clothes. Are you planning to buy me new ones for the season?

I don't want anything too stiff or formal."

Eleanor paused in her tracks.

It was William who liked stiff, serious clothes.

She pulled at the corners of her lips: "Don't worry, I won't."

Then she soaked herself in warm water, washing away the exhaustion from her body.

Half an hour later, she came out of the bathroom.

Sebastian was no longer in the room. On the nightstand sat a glass of warm water and a sticky note.

[Eleanor, something came up at the company. I have to go out for a bit.]

Eleanor glanced at it and didn't bother with it.

She opened her laptop and sent the photos she had taken to her assistant.

The assistant replied quickly: [Eleanor, the director wants you to fly to the UK for training in three days. Can you clear your schedule?]

Just as Eleanor was about to check the status of the divorce proceedings, her phone suddenly vibrated.

[Ms. Vance, the divorce certificate for you and Mr. Sterling has been done. You may collect it after 9:00 AM on Monday, three days from now.]

She let out a long sigh of relief and typed a reply to her assistant: [No problem. I'll leave on time.]

Afterward, Eleanor took some fever medicine and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day.

When Eleanor went downstairs, she once again saw William and Sebastian vying to feed Victoria at the dining table.

As she came down, Sebastian immediately put down what he was holding, walked over quickly, and took her hand.

"Eleanor, I just found out you went to help Sebastian and Victoria with the engagement photos yesterday. Were you tired?"

William's gaze swept lightly over where Sebastian held her hand, his voice deepening.

"Victoria bought a travel package for Berlin, Germany. We leave in two days. You two should come along."

Victoria chimed in with a smile: "That's right. The snow in Berlin is beautiful. It's the perfect season for skiing and visiting Christmas markets..."

The three of them chatted back and forth about the itinerary, the atmosphere lively.

It made Eleanor look like a complete outsider.

But Eleanor didn't feel too sad.

Because in two days, she was going to pick up her divorce certificate.

All of this had become the perfect exit plan.

On the day of departure.

Eleanor went to the Family Court first to collect the divorce certificate. She kept one copy for herself and had the other couriered to the house.

After handling that, she arrived at the airport on time.

At check-in, just as she was about to lay her cards on the table, Victoria suddenly let out a gasp, then spoke apologetically.

"Oh my... I think I only bought three tickets. I forgot about Ms. Vance's."

"It should still be possible to buy a ticket now."

William cast his gaze toward Eleanor.

Eleanor remained perfectly calm: "It's fine. You go ahead. I hope you have a wonderful time."

Having said that, she turned to leave, but Sebastian caught her hand: "Eleanor, I'll go with you to get another ticket."

Victoria interrupted softly: "But check-in closes in two minutes. If we miss this flight, we'll have to wait until tomorrow."

She looked troubled: "I've booked tandem skydiving for tomorrow morning and a dinner at a castle on the outskirts of Berlin for the evening. Everything is scheduled. You definitely won't make it in time, so it would just be Sebastian and me going."

The moment the words left her lips, Eleanor felt Sebastian's grip on her hand loosen.

She saw Sebastian's gaze glued to Victoria, his eyes filled with longing.

Eleanor pulled her hand back herself, her tone indifferent: "I'll handle it myself. You two board first; don't miss the flight."

This time, Sebastian didn't insist. Instead, looking relieved, he offered a somewhat perfunctory reminder.

"Alright then, Eleanor. I'll head to Berlin first and wait for you there."

Eleanor didn't agree, only smiling faintly: "Goodbye."

Watching them pass through the ticket check, she immediately approached the check-in counter for the flight to the UK.

She settled into the first-class cabin.

Before takeoff, Eleanor took out her phone, snapped a photo of the blue sky, paired it with the divorce certificate, and posted a status on WhatsApp.

"The marriage ends here. From now on, the world is wide, and I am free."

Then, she deleted both Sebastian and William from her WhatsApp and contacts.

The plane soared into the blue sky, carrying freedom with it.

...

Meanwhile, on the flight to Berlin.

Sebastian leaned back in his seat, eyes closed to rest, when his chest suddenly felt empty for no reason.

In a daze, the image of Eleanor saying goodbye to him just moments ago flashed through his mind.

Over the years, he had seen her in many states.

Gentle, worried for him, weeping because he was hurt, or sobbing helplessly when he pushed her to the limit in bed.

But he had never seen her like this—smiling, yet with eyes full of desolation.

Suddenly, a stifling sense of suffocation surged in his chest.

While Victoria went to the restroom, he turned to William, who was processing emails beside him.

"Send Eleanor a message. Text her the address of the hotel we booked in Germany."

William paused his typing: "Why?"

Sebastian said subconsciously: "Eleanor seemed to be throwing a little tantrum just now. I need to smooth things over."

William looked at him, making no move.

That indescribable emotion in Sebastian's heart grew more intense.

He grabbed his own phone and sent Eleanor a message directly.

[Eleanor, go straight to the Ritz-Carlton when you arrive in Berlin.]

But as soon as the message was sent, a red exclamation mark appeared, indicating rejection.

The next second, he used William's phone to message Eleanor, but met the same result.

[Message sent. The recipient has rejected it.]

Just then, a mutual friend suddenly posted a screenshot of Eleanor's WhatsApp status in their group chat.

The first thing that caught both their eyes was that clear image of the red divorce certificate.