Chapter 4

I thought Caleb's offer to buy my wedding dress design was just him being spiteful.

But to my surprise, he actually showed up.

I had just delivered some fish to Mrs. Jenkins, my neighbor, and turned around to see Caleb's stormy face.

"Eleanor, what are you doing living here? Who gave you permission to come back?"

"Or do you think I'm foolish enough to forgive and forget, and then coddle you, beg you to come back like before?"

I paused, then slowly shook my head.

"No, it's just that the rent here is cheap. Mr. Thorne, you're flattering yourself."

"It's just an apartment. There's no hidden agenda."

I clenched my jaw, just barely managing to keep my emotions from spilling out.

This rental apartment was where we'd lived during the two hardest years of our startup.

Here, we'd leaned on each other, promising forever.

So when Caleb left, I immediately rented it back.

Caleb coldly averted his gaze.

"You'd better truly think that way. Don't harbor any other intentions."

"There's ten thousand dollars on this card. Is that enough for your design sketch?"

I stiffened, looking at the card.

Ten thousand was enough to buy ten design sketches, and to cover my treatments for a long time.

But looking at him, I couldn't bring myself to agree.

I simply couldn't accept that everything that was once mine was now being given to another woman by him.

"What, are you regretting it now?"

Caleb sneered, seeing my silence.

Ten thousand dollars to sever everything between us-it was more than enough.

I subconsciously wanted to speak, but a gentle female voice beat me to it.

"Ellie, Caleb isn't bothering you, is he?"

"He said he had a surprise for me this morning, I didn't expect it was to come here to get your design."

"Don't mind him, he's like a big kid sometimes. He just proposed yesterday, and today he's already impatient to plan the wedding dress."

Sera walked up in a simple white dress, naturally linking her arm through Caleb's.

My throat tightened as I saw the diamond ring she deliberately showed off.

It was from Eternity Jewels' "Eternal Bond" collection, the one I'd fallen in love with at first sight.

Back then, we were dirt poor, but Caleb had firmly told me.

One day, he would buy it for me.

Now he had the means, but the one wearing that ring was no longer me.

Caleb skillfully enveloped her hand in his, his face filled with worry.

"What are you doing here? You can't stand places like this. What if you get hurt on the way?"

Sera playfully nestled into his arms.

"You suddenly disappeared, and I got worried, silly. Besides, I'm not a child anymore."

Then she smiled at me, feigning helplessness.

"Sorry, Ellie, for making you watch our little show. Caleb always thinks I'm helpless. Every time I go out alone, he worries for ages."

I numbly twitched my lips, feeling like every second spent standing there was agony.

Before I could move, Sera grabbed my arm.

"Ellie, are you going to get the design? I'll come with you. We can see if there's anything that needs changing."

"Caleb, us girls are going to have some private chat, so don't come over!"

Caleb nodded, his eyes full of adoration for the playful Sera.

I was pulled into the room by Sera.

As soon as the door closed, Sera scoffed.

"I knew you hadn't given up! What design sketch? It's clearly just an excuse to see Caleb."

"And deliberately living here, are you trying to make Caleb remember the past and come back to you?"

"Dream on!"

I was tired of listening to her rant and wanted to find the design so she'd leave.

But Sera relentlessly held onto me, ready to slap my face.

I instinctively pushed her away.

With almost imperceptible force, Sera shrieked and began to fall backward.

Before I could react, a strong hand suddenly grabbed my arm.

He pulled me hard, and I instantly tumbled down the stairs.

In the dilapidated stairwell, my nosebleed wouldn't stop.

I lay on the concrete floor, bruised and disheveled.

Caleb, however, acted as if he didn't see me, only caring to scoop Sera into his arms, repeatedly checking on her.

Only after confirming she was unharmed did he let out a shaky sigh of relief.

Then his shadowy gaze landed on me.

"Eleanor, who gave you the guts to lay a hand on Sera?"

"If anything happens to her or the baby, you'll regret it!"

I was in too much pain to think clearly. My nose bled endlessly as I tried to open my mouth..

Before I could speak, the iron door next door clanged open

Mrs. Jenkins saw me covered in blood and screamed.

"What have you done to her?!"

"Eleanor had a kidney transplant! She had a kidney transplant! Her body can’t take this! Didn’t you know that?"