Astoria Residence, New York.

The winter wind in New York was still freezing.

Eleanor sat in her wheelchair by the fireplace, but the cold seemed to penetrate right into her bones.

The cold phone screen showed the latest entertainment headlines that caught her attention instantly.

"New York's richest man, Theodore Hibben, spent 30 million two days ago to throw a birthday party for the Dance Diva Camila Sloane."

In the video, Camila sat on a private jet, smiling sweetly as fireworks lit up the sky outside the window.

Theodore had his arm around her shoulder, his eyes never leaving her for a second.

They were so intimate, like they were made for each other.

The comment section below was full of people's opinions.

"Mr. Hibben favors his junior schoolmate differently..."

"As expected from a seven-year age gap relationship. So adorable..."

"Hmph, that old woman Eleanor still wants to cling to Theodore? She should know her place."

The harsh words felt like sharp knives, one after another, stabbing her heart.

Her hand that was carving the wooden figurine froze immediately. She coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Eleanor's servant, Ariana Surrett, quickly handed her some tissues and a glass of water.

As Eleanor slowly calmed down, Ariana couldn't help but speak up in her defense, "These people just follow the trend blindly. They believe everything they see and talk nonsense without knowing the truth.

"If it weren't for your guidance and your legs being disabled, Camila wouldn't even have a chance at winning this year's 'I Am the Dance King' competition. And yet, she gets all the credit. Why does she get to enjoy everything?"

Eleanor stared silently at the wooden figurine on the table, her eyes empty and lifeless.

Ariana's heart ached, and her words grew bolder.

"Camila is only a little younger than you. Ms. Breslin, when you were young, you were far more beautiful than she. I don't know what she did to Mr. Hibben to make him treat you so badly. They called you clingy and a homewrecker, but he doesn't even defend you. So why are you still carving this wooden figurine?"

Outside, heavy snow covered the window with a thick white layer.

Eleanor held the half-finished wooden figurine tightly, remembering last year when he had just bought that piece of Oregon walnut wood.

He had asked her to carve a wooden figurine for them, engraving their names on it.

The figurine was meant to symbolize their sweet and loyal marriage.

Eleanor had agreed without hesitation.

But now, after seeing the video of Theodore and Camila hugging so intimately, tears filled her eyes as she gripped the handle of her carving knife tightly.

Suddenly, the study door was kicked open.

Even before she could see who it was, the strong smell of sandalwood reached her.

Someone yanked her up by the arm, pulling her off the chair. The unfinished wooden figurine fell to the floor, clinking sharply.

Theodore was dressed in a suit, his sharp eyes cold with anger, his voice tense.

"Eleanor, you really have some nerve! What right do you have to treat Mila like that?"

He gripped her chin, his gaze burning with fury as he stared at her face.

"Those comments were just fans talking on their own. She never told anyone to say those things. Why are you blaming her?

"You're a dancer yourself. You know how important health is to a dancer. Yet you made her wait outside in the rain for an hour, pretending to be sick and refusing to see her. How could you be so cruel?"

Recalling that day, Eleanor frowned, her voice hoarse. "I wasn't feeling well that day, so I asked her to go home first, but she refused and insisted on staying by the door."

She tried to explain, but it came off sounding like an excuse.

Theodore suddenly yanked her chin to the side, his eyes full of disgust, even more terrifying.

"If you're going to lie, at least do it properly.

"I know you feel wronged, but I've spent so many birthdays with you, and only one with Camila. What exactly are you complaining about?"

He shifted the topic, his eyes growing even colder. "Do you really believe that just because you're my wife, no one dares to oppose you?"

Eleanor lost her balance and cut her finger on the carving knife. Blood gushed out, instantly flooding her vision with red.

Yet she seemed not to feel it. Her bright eyes stayed fixed on Theodore.

For the past two years, every time she and Camila were in the same place, any trouble that happened to Camila was blamed on her.

She had tried everything she could think of, arguing, explaining...

But now, she was truly exhausted.

Eleanor dug her nails into her palms until they almost bled, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Theodore, don't you think you're so heartless? I'm your legal wife..."

Before she could finish, he grabbed her bleeding hand and squeezed it, making even more blood flow.

"Heartless? Mila caught a cold in the rain, and she still isn't over it! If I were truly heartless, I would have made you stand in the rain, catching a cold too, until she got better!"

Blood dripped from her hand onto the white rug, the red stark and shocking.

Seeing her like this, Theodore felt nothing but disgust.

So fake. There wasn't a trace of the kind, gentle person she used to be.

"If you ever bully Mila again, mark my words. You'll never leave this house!"

After saying that, he walked away without looking back.

Ariana, who had sneaked out, called a doctor with red-rimmed eyes.

The blood from Eleanor's wound slowly dried, forming a dark scab on the surface.

Eleanor whispered to herself, "He's forgotten..."

He had forgotten the promise he made when he first confessed his love. "Everything in this world may change, but I will always love you, Elea. I will never wander off, and I will never change my mind."

He had forgotten the vow he made when he proposed, the one promising her the best life.

He had even forgotten what she had said.

If one day he ever changed his heart, she would vanish from his life completely without looking back.

The snow had been falling for days, as if it wanted to pierce the glass and carry the biting cold straight inside.

In her bedroom, Eleanor sat in a wheelchair, staring blankly out the floor-to-ceiling window.

Her phone buzzed. Camila had posted something new.

In the photo, Christmas lights twinkled behind her, casting a warm yellow glow that made her smile look soft and calm.

In the corner of the photo, Theodore stood near the stove, stirring mulled wine. The scent of cinnamon and orange filled the air. His cheeks were slightly red from the steam, and in that warm, homey scene, he looked endlessly caring.

The same snow, when it fell around Camila, turned into nothing more than a romantic backdrop for their tender closeness.

A doctor came over to examine Eleanor's leg condition. After a long pause, he shook his head slowly.

"Mrs. Hibben, there was once a slim chance your legs could recover. But these past few days, it seems the cold has affected your body, and it's gotten worse. There's really nothing more I can do. If you want to get better, Mr. Hibben would need to contact a well-known specialist abroad. That might be the only chance left."

"What are the chances of recovery?" Eleanor asked, looking at her legs that couldn't support her.

Three months ago, there had been an accident at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Eleanor had been performing on stage when a heavy light pole on the stage fell down.

She fainted immediately.

When she woke up in the hospital, she learned that her legs had suffered nerve damage.

She might never walk again.

Everyone advised her to tell Theodore that she needed to go abroad for surgery as soon as possible, since there might still be a small chance of recovery.

But no one knew that she had spoken up the very first day she learned her legs were injured.

Sitting on the hospital bed, her legs felt weak and lifeless, and her mind kept drifting to thoughts of what she would do if she could never stand and watch the sunset with Theodore.

Meanwhile, Theodore was busy planning a grand birthday party for Camila and didn't visit her in the hospital.

When she brought it up, his voice on the phone sounded calm and indifferent.

"It's just a birthday for her. Why make a fuss?

"How can it be so serious? Disabled? Eleanor, you'll say anything to trick me, right?"

After he hung up, he refused to hear another word from her.

She couldn't remember anymore how many times she had tried to tell him.

Every time she brought it up, a piece of their good memories slipped away.

Until one day, there were no good memories left to hold on to.

After that, he wouldn't even give her the chance to speak.

***

Ariana sent the doctor away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

When she returned to Eleanor, the tears finally broke free.

"Mrs. Hibben, are your legs less important than Camila's birthday?

"If I hadn't come to the hospital in time, both of your legs might have needed to be amputated.

"Why is it that she's fine, standing on stage, dancing, while you are stuck in this wheelchair? I wish it had been her who stood under that stage light instead of you."

Just as she finished speaking, a sudden shout came from behind.

"Eleanor!

"Is this how you teach your servants? Isn't your injury enough? Do you want Mila to get hurt, too? You've become so cruel. Where is the gentle, kind woman I once knew?"

Eleanor felt a shiver run through her body. Her upper body went numb, just like her lifeless legs.

Theodore appeared at the door, his face dark and cold.

Ariana was so scared by his stare that she nearly stumbled.

But when she thought about Eleanor's legs, how she couldn't stand on her own legs anymore, and how Theodore hadn't even bothered to call a doctor for her, and yet Eleanor still missed him all the time, she straightened her back.

"Ever since you started seeing Ms. Sloane, you haven't paid attention to Mrs. Hibben at all. You've always been hurting her for the sake of another woman. Have you forgotten the promise you made to her that you would never change your heart..."

Before she could finish speaking, Theodore slapped Ariana twice across the face.

Eleanor couldn't watch any longer and hurriedly rolled her wheelchair in front of Ariana.

"Ariana followed me here from my family. She doesn't know the rules here. I will teach her properly from now on. Please, just let her go this time!"

Theodore ignored her completely, his voice growing even harsher.

"The Hibben family doesn't need someone who gossips like this! Take all of Ariana's things away. From now on, she's forbidden to enter this house again!

"I wonder who would dare defy me!"

***

Ariana had no parents and had lived with Eleanor since she was a child. Where else could she go?

She had served Eleanor for 18 years. She was more than a servant. She was practically family.

Eleanor's heart ached. Sitting in her wheelchair, she used all her strength to stop Theodore.

"Theodore, please, don't send Ariana away. I promise I'll teach her properly later.

"As long as you don't make her leave, I'll agree to anything you want."

Ariana stayed still, looking at Eleanor with tears in her eyes.

"Mr. Hibben, if you treated Mrs. Hibben well, I'd walk away without a word. But now, seeing how you treat her, how could I leave in peace?

"I won't leave, no matter what. Who else in this house would stand up for Mrs. Hibben if not me?"

Eleanor continued to plead, almost falling off the wheelchair.

But Theodore showed no mercy, his expression as cold as ice.

He grabbed Ariana, ready to drag her out of the house.

"I won't go! I'd rather die than leave Mrs. Hibben!" Ariana shouted, struggling violently.

She thrashed wildly in Theodore's grip. Her nails left several bloody scratches on the back of Theodore's hand.

Suddenly... Bang!

Her head hit the sharp marble decorations in the entrance hard. Blood immediately gushed from her hair.

The blood quickly spread across the floor, turning it red.

"Call a doctor! Hurry, call the doctor!"

Eleanor was so terrified that she toppled out of her wheelchair, her body smeared with blood.

She collapsed in front of Ariana, shouting desperately.

But no matter how loudly she cried, Ariana didn't respond.

She had stopped breathing.

Eleanor froze.

She thought to herself, "Ariana's gone, just like that?

"No, she couldn't die!"

Her blood-stained hands gripped Theodore's legs tightly. "Theodore, please... save Ariana..."

Theodore was startled for a moment, but then he kicked her away. "She brought this on herself!"

Eleanor was desperate.

Her eyes were red and bloodshot, her body shaking violently, and she glared at Theodore.

She wanted nothing more than to rip his heart out and see what was inside.

"That's a human life!

"How could he be so cruel, making Ariana's death sound so insignificant?" she thought in shock.

Seeing Eleanor's terrifyingly bloodshot eyes, Theodore's gaze flickered for a moment, but it still felt sharp and cold, like a poisoned blade.

"You should be grateful. One worthless life was enough to teach you what rules really mean."

After speaking, he stepped over Ariana's body, his black coat flowing like a dark void.

When he reached the door, he paused for just a moment.

Then, he spoke without looking back, "From now on, no one is allowed to treat you without my permission! I want to see how serious your illness really is."

The next morning, Eleanor woke up from sharp pain.

Outside the window, hail as big as fists hit the glass, as if trying to break through.

She tried to move from the bed into her wheelchair and, without thinking, called out Ariana's name.

No one answered.

Ariana, the girl who had been by her side for 18 years, was dead.

All because she spoke up to protect her, and for that, she was pushed to her death by the man Eleanor had once loved most.

With effort, Eleanor pushed her wheelchair to the spot where Ariana had the accident yesterday. The servants had already cleaned up every trace of blood.

It looked as if nothing had ever happened there.

Only a gold ring lay in the corner—the ring Eleanor had given to Ariana not long ago, saying it would be her wedding gift.

Even in her final breath, that poor girl was still thinking about her future.

But Eleanor herself... she no longer had a future.

From now on, she would have to move the wheelchair on her own.

Tears streamed down her face, as if they were eating away at her heart.

She turned her wheelchair and planned to arrange Ariana's funeral.

At that moment, her phone rang.

Her mother's trembling voice came through, "Elea, your dad's company has been struggling for years. It was finally starting to recover, but Theodore suddenly said he wanted to pull out his investment. If he really does that, your dad's company will be ruined. Elea, can you talk to Theodore?"

Breslin Group was her father's entire life's work. If it collapsed, everything he had poured into it would be gone.

But now, things were no longer the same. Theodore felt nothing but disgust toward her, not even the bare minimum of care for a wife.

Eleanor looked troubled, but in the end, she still dialed his number.

Just as she expected, no one picked up.

Left with no option, she hurried to his office and waited in the lounge for three long hours before Theodore finally agreed to meet her.

Eleanor wheeled herself into his office and stopped in front of Theodore.

Theodore kept his eyes fixed on the computer screen, refusing to even glance her way.

"What do you want?" he asked flatly.

His cold voice sliced through the little warmth that remained in her heart.

Eleanor said softly, "I know you hate me now and don't want to see me.

"But my dad's company is finally starting to recover. If you take back your investment, everything will collapse. Can you please, for the sake of our marriage, not pull out your investment?"

At last, Theodore shifted his gaze from the screen and looked at her, his expression so distant it felt like he was staring at a stranger.

He said, "So you came to me just for this?

"When we got married, why didn't I notice that you are so calculating? Did you marry me, or the power of my family?"

His words were sharp as a knife, stabbing straight into her chest.

The ache in her heart deepened until even breathing became difficult.

In his eyes, she had turned into someone who only cared about power.

Eleanor wanted to give up, but then she remembered how much effort her father had put into his business.

She pushed her wheelchair a little closer and pleaded, "Theodore, I beg you. If you agree to help my dad, I'll break things off with you."

Theodore's hand, which was signing a paper, suddenly froze, leaving a dark blot of ink spreading across the paper.

He slowly lifted his head, his gaze cold. "What did you just say? Don't even think about it!"

Before she could answer, he cut her off with another cold stare. "If you apologize to Mila, then I'll keep my investment in your dad's company."

"How should I apologize?" she asked carefully.

"On your knees," he replied.

The word made her pupils tighten in shock.

How could she possibly kneel to Camila when her legs were already ruined?

But Theodore always had a way to humiliate her.

The following day, he pushed her wheelchair straight to where Camila was.

The moment they met, Theodore moved away from Eleanor's side and stood behind Camila instead.

He wrapped his long arms around Camila's slim waist, leaning his chin tenderly on her shoulder.

Theodore lowered his head, his lips brushing lightly against the side of her neck.

Their breaths mixed together, so close and intimate that it felt like no one else existed. Even the air seemed heavy with sweetness.

Watching them, Eleanor looked like nothing more than an unwanted outsider, the mistress without love.

When their little display of affection was over, Theodore ordered two servants to lift her out of the wheelchair, one on each side.

Her useless legs couldn't support her, yet they held her upright in a forced kneeling position.

He wanted her to appear before Camila in the most humiliating way possible, stripping her of every bit of dignity.

He said coldly, "Go on, weren't you going to apologize?"

After a while, Theodore's voice broke the silence, crushing the very last piece of her pride.

"Sorry.

"I was wrong."

That wasn't her real mistake.

Her real mistake was that, when she married Theodore, she actually believed his words and trusted that he would never betray her.

That he wouldn't drift away or fall for someone else... What a joke.

Even forced into that kneeling position, Eleanor refused to bow her head. Her back stayed firm and upright.

But the moment the servants helped her back into the wheelchair, she suddenly leaned forward and began to cough hard.

Bright red blood spilled from her mouth—one drop, then another—spreading on the floor like dark red blossoms.

Eleanor remained silent and gently wiped the blood from her lips.

She had already found out about Theodore and Camila three years ago, and she thought her heart had become numb.

But seeing the two of them so close with her own eyes still made her heart hurt unbearably.

She took a deep breath, forcing back the tears that almost spilled.

She couldn't give up now. Her parents were still waiting for her at home.

When she wheeled herself out of the huge mansion that Theodore had specially bought for Camila, she could still overhear the servants whispering.

"Isn't she Mr. Hibben's wife? Why does she look so pathetic?"

"Always sitting in that wheelchair, acting all pitiful. Who is she trying to fool?"

"Exactly. Does she really think Mr. Hibben will feel sorry for her? That's just silly."

"Come on, how could she ever compare with Ms. Sloane? Just a few days ago, Ms. Sloane had a little cough and Mr. Hibben immediately called in the best doctor. He stayed by her side for three days straight, not even resting. Meanwhile, some people don't even get a glance from him, even if they're in a wheelchair."

Those words cut into her like knives with hooks, tearing open new wounds each time.

She bit her lip so hard until the taste of blood spread through her mouth.

***

A few days later, Eleanor asked the housekeeper to prepare a car so she could visit her parents.

When the car finally came, what she saw was the so-called "special ride" the housekeeper had arranged for her—a dirty, smelly van that usually delivered seafood.

She was lifted into the car.

Inside the cramped car piled high with goods, she barely had room to move.

As soon as she sat down, the driver purposely turned up the car radio at full volume.

"The Breslin Group has officially declared bankruptcy today due to financial troubles. This is truly shocking news."

Every word stabbed at her heart like a blade.

She gripped the seat so tightly her fingers turned white. Her head and heart throbbed with pain.

She thought to herself, "Didn't Theodore promise me he wouldn't pull out his investment? Then why..."

She was about to grab her phone when a call came through.

Her mother's anxious, heartbroken voice came through the phone, "Elea, hurry to the hospital now. Something has happened to your dad..."

At that moment, lightning and thunder flashed outside the car window.

Eleanor's mind went blank. She quickly told the driver to turn the car around and rush to the hospital.

When she finally arrived, the sight in front of her made her heart twist in pain.

Eleanor's mother, Hannah Breslin, was lying over a person covered with a white sheet, crying in agony.

With trembling hands, Eleanor pushed her wheelchair forward. It took her a long time until she reached Hannah.

At last, she forced herself to ask the truth she didn't want to believe.

"Mom... is Dad..."

Before she could even finish asking, Hannah's rough, trembling voice cut in, "Your dad... he's gone."

In an instant, Emily felt her heart skip a beat. Her ears rang, and it seemed like the whole world was crashing down.

Still crying, she begged, "Mom, no... this can't be true. How could Dad suddenly..."

After a long pause, Hannah stopped crying and spoke in a trembling voice, "Theodore pulled out his investment. Without the money, the company couldn't keep running and quickly collapsed. Every day, groups of creditors came demanding their money.

"Your dad couldn't take it anymore... so he jumped from the building and committed suicide."

Committed suicide?

"When they rushed him to the hospital, he was already dead."

At those words, Eleanor slumped helplessly in her wheelchair.

Her eyes fell on the white sheet covering her father's body, a pain so deep it felt unbearable. Her fingers dug into her palms until they nearly bled.

She thought to herself, "Theodore, how could you do this to me?" She never imagined he could be so cruel and merciless.

This was her father—the man who had raised her since she was little.

Her eyes lingered on the wedding photo set as her phone's wallpaper.

Tears slid down one by one, landing on the smiling faces in the picture, making the happiness in it feel unbearably mocking.

He had once been so good to her.

When she caught a cold and stayed in bed for three days, he had been devastated, crying over her. He even went to the mountain church just to pray for her.

Back in college, he once skipped her birthday because he went drinking, but later that night, he showed up at her dorm with a bouquet of flowers.

He'd promised, "I'll give you the best life."

She truly believed they would stay like that forever.

So when she was in college, she turned down an offer from a top dance academy overseas and chose to marry him instead.

But only five years into their marriage, everything has changed.

Now, he had gone after her father.

At that moment, she knew there was no reason to be soft-hearted toward him anymore.

With all the strength she had left, she pushed her wheelchair forward.

Yet before she could reach the elevator, the heavy storm of emotions overwhelmed her, and she passed out.

When she opened her eyes again, Theodore was seated beside her bed. His face looked as gentle as it had years ago.

"Elea, you're awake?"

There were so many things she wanted to say—to question him, to blame him, to scream that he didn't love her.

But when the time came, the words stuck in her throat.

Theodore picked up the medicine and poured a glass of water, then he brought them close to her lips. "You just woke up. Let's take your medicine first."

She didn't move. Her eyes were like two dry, empty wells, showing no light or emotion at all.

When Theodore saw her like this, a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.

He pulled out two tickets for a performance by the Metropolitan Opera House out of his pocket and handed them to her.

"Elea, I remember this was your favorite dance group. Once you're discharged from the hospital, how about we go watch their live show together?"

She didn't say a word. She just accepted the tickets she had once looked forward to and then tore them to pieces.

He had taken away Ariana and even her father. How could he expect her to forgive him?

He had no idea how deeply she hated him.

But in the end, what she hated most was herself for loving the wrong man.

"Eleanor!"

Theodore was furious when she tore up the tickets and couldn't help shouting at her.

"Why are you throwing a fit again? Haven't you caused enough trouble these past few days? I've given you a way out, and you still dare act this defiantly. Who gave you the nerve?"

He thought back to the early days of their marriage. Back then, she had been so gentle, so reasonable.

It had only been five years since their marriage, yet she had already turned into such a bitter and jealous wife.

Eleanor stared at him with empty eyes, choosing to stay silent in the end.

Did he really think that just two tickets could make up for Ariana's death, her father's death, and everything he had done before?

That was far too naïve.

The moment he decided to treat her this way, he should have known that one day she would leave him without hesitation.

Theodore was about to speak, but before he could, his phone suddenly rang.

Of course, it was Camila again.

She couldn't hear the words clearly from the other side, but the way Theodore smiled while listening was enough for her to understand.

Her father had just died, yet he could still flirt and laugh so sweetly with another woman.

The man he used to be was long gone.

After hanging up, Theodore picked up his coat and turned to leave.

For a moment, seeing her pale figure lying in the hospital bed seemed to stir a hint of guilt in him.

He gently pulled the blanket over her and said, "Rest well. I'll be back to accompany you later."

Later, it turned out, meant five days later.

Five days later, he finally showed up at her father's funeral.

Eleanor sat quietly in her wheelchair while Theodore placed a bouquet of flowers in front of the memorial altar, staring blankly at her father's portrait.

When the last guests had gone, Theodore slowly walked over and said only two words, "My condolences."

Those words unlocked all the emotions she had been holding back.

She lifted her dull eyes to his sharply defined face, but all she could feel was hatred.

She threw the flower straight at him. "Theodore, you killed my dad!"

He had no right to appear at her father's funeral.

"You swore to me that if I apologized to Camila, you wouldn't pull back your investment! If you hadn't deceived me, how could my dad have died?"

Her cries tore through the funeral hall, her temples throbbing as if the veins might burst.

Theodore didn't answer. He only stood there, letting her hit him with her fists.

After a long silence, Theodore's phone rang. It was a recording from Camila, "Theodore, I love you."

Hearing the ringtone, Theodore quietly took out his phone to silence it, then grabbed Eleanor's trembling hand.

"Mila is sick. She needs to take her medicine. I have to go."

A cold smile spread across Eleanor's lips. Even in a moment like this, he still wanted to humiliate her.

The sound of his footsteps as he walked away felt like a dull knife pressing into her heart.

Just as he was about to leave the funeral hall, she couldn't hold back anymore and called out.

"Theodore!"

He stopped for a second, lifted one foot, and was ready to keep walking.

"Theodore, I want a divorce."

That word "divorce" came from behind, making Theodore's face darken. He finally turned to face her.

"Eleanor, what did you just say?"

Meeting his cold stare, Eleanor spoke again firmly, "Let's get a divorce!

"Theodore, we've been married for five years, and our relationship ends here. From now on, there will be nothing between us."

Eleanor reached into the bag next to her wheelchair and took out the divorce papers, handing them to Theodore, whose face was dark with anger.

Theodore grabbed the papers, veins bulging on his forehead.

Suddenly, he tore the divorce papers in half and threw the pieces into the air. They fluttered down like white confetti.

He grabbed her jaw tightly, his eyes burning with rage.

"Don't even think about it! You'll never be able to leave me!

"Whether we get a divorce is up to me! Eleanor, have I spoiled you so much that you actually dare to ask for a divorce?

"During all this time, I've overlooked what you've done! I've been too good to you, making you forget your place!"

"Too good?" Eleanor's lips twisted into a bitter smile, and her mocking laughter rang through the hall.

His idea of being "good" meant he caused Ariana's death, killed her father, and openly flirted with other women while she suffered beside him?

"Thanks for being good to me. If it's possible, I really wish you'd stop and let me go."

Theodore's face turned bright red, and he shoved all the flowers on the table to the floor.

What infuriated him most was how she seemed to see through everything he did.

"What are you even arguing about? We've been married for five years. When have I ever treated you badly? Even if Camila is carrying my child, you're still my wife. Why do you have to keep pushing my limits like this?"

The smoke from the burning candle stung her nose, making it hurt.

Her hands rested on the sides of the chair, as if she had nothing to hold onto.

The love she once believed would last forever had already been broken by someone else.

Three years ago, Theodore had already betrayed the love she once had been proud of.

He even had a child with another woman. Maybe the home he shared with Camila was where he truly belonged.

Eleanor felt her vision blur, the world spinning around her, and she nearly fainted.

But very quickly, Theodore's actions snapped her fully awake.

He lifted her from the wheelchair and placed her on the memorial altar.

She gripped his rough hand tightly and said, "Your 'never treating me badly' is just an excuse to hurt my family over and over, to ruin my legs, and make sure I'll never step on a stage again!

"Theodore, when you slept with her, did you even think of the promise you made to me back in college? You said no matter what changes in life, you would never wander off, never change your heart, and would always love only me!"

When Theodore heard this, he showed no regret.

Instead, his eyes mocked her words.

He pushed her hands away and roughly started removing her clothes.

"You've said all this because you're scared Camila will take your place as Mrs. Hibben. Fine, I will fulfill your wish."

Eleanor snapped, "Theodore, you're crazy! This is my dad's funeral hall. He just passed away! You can't do this to me!"

She tried with all her strength to push him away and stop his rough actions.

But with her legs disabled, she had almost no power to defend herself.

Theodore grabbed her thin wrist with one hand and pressed it aside. With his other hand, he carefully loosened his tie...

Theodore's kiss fell on her like a storm, rough, violent, and full of possessiveness.

She quickly lifted her eyes and stared into his bloodshot eyes.

"Theodore!"

Her voice shook, and her nails sank into his arm. "Dad's coffin is just three meters away. Are you out of your mind?"

Theodore let out a quiet laugh and pressed his fingers hard against her swollen lips, his actions growing even wilder.

"Eleanor, we've done this countless times before. Why are you acting like you're innocent now? I remember you enjoyed it before."

All the fuss she made, wasn't it only because she wanted a child?

And now, when she said she needed to mourn, he refused.

He held her tightly, trying to merge with her. "Eleanor, you belong to me forever."

That night, Theodore hardly stopped.

Eleanor's lower abdomen was in pain again and again, and she felt like her bones might break from the pain.

The white lilies in the funeral hall shook violently and fell to the ground, mixing with the tears streaming from her eyes.

She was in so much pain that she lost consciousness. Her nails scratched bloody marks on the wall, and every whisper she made came out with tears and blood.

It was a sight so heartbreaking that it made people's hearts ache.

Theodore's cold eyes suddenly softened. He lifted his hand, as if to pull her into his arms.

But a knock at the funeral hall interrupted him.

"Mr. Hibben, there's a problem. Ms. Sloane said she won't take her medicine unless you give it to her yourself."

Reluctantly, Theodore lowered his hand.

Eleanor stared at his lowered hand, her eyes empty and emotionless.

As he reached the door, Theodore remembered her hollow, chilling gaze and turned back.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Take care of yourself these next few days. I'll come back to see you soon."

Eleanor closed her eyes.

As the door closed, a warm tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

The storm had come fast and gone just as quickly.

By the time the snow stopped, Eleanor had already returned to the home she shared with Theodore.

Looking at the house they had built together, a sharp, bitter feeling suddenly hit her nose, stinging her eyes until they burned.

She wanted to leave.

She couldn't stay in this house anymore.

Every time she saw anything related to Theodore, memories of his actions came rushing back.

But the housekeeper said, "Mrs. Hibben, all the cars in the house are being serviced. There really aren't any extras."

Eleanor quietly stared at the dusty piano. She swallowed the metallic taste in her throat, leaving only a faint red mark at the corner of her lips.

Actually, there was no need for them to lie.

She had heard everything already.

Just now, Theodore had sent someone to deliver a message.

He clearly said, "Mr. Hibben went to accompany Ms. Sloane. He was worried that Mrs. Hibben might see him and cause trouble for Ms. Sloane again. So he instructed that if Mrs. Hibben wanted to go out, tell her there are no cars available and asked her to stay home for a few days to calm down."

The residence was far from the city center, originally chosen so nothing would disturb their sweet, private world.

But now, she spends most of her time alone there. What was the point?

If that was the case, she could let them be.

From now on, she decided to stay far away from him, never to cross paths again. They would go their separate ways.

Was that not allowed either?

Eleanor wheeled herself out of the house alone.

After a long while, she managed to stop a car on the street.

She just wanted to go back home, to her original home.

In this life, she had chosen the wrong person.

From now on, she was willing to give half of her life just to make sure their paths never crossed again.