Chapter 2

I didn’t want to say anything more. As I turned to leave, I bumped into Chloe.

It wasn't a hard push, but Chloe crumpled to the ground, her eyes quickly welling up with tears.

“Eleanor, if you’re angry with me, why take it out on Chloe!”

Lucas harshly yanked me aside.

I lost my balance and fell against a nearby trash can.

A sharp pain shot through my chest, and combined with the putrid smell, my head grew dizzy.

“It’s not Eleanor’s fault, I came here myself.”

Chloe nestled into Lucas’s arms.

“Eleanor, Lucas still loves you. He only married me to help me escape his uncle.”

They embraced tightly, a picture of mutual understanding.

“Fine, then I wish you both well.”

I forced myself to stand up and slowly walked away.

Back home, I immediately took a shower, but I still felt as if the foul smell hadn’t entirely vanished.

My palm was still oozing blood, and my waist hurt with every touch.

Lucas and I had been together since college. As an illegitimate child, he wasn’t well-regarded in the Sterling family.

Even when he had little money, he always wanted to give me the best, spending all his part-time earnings on gifts for me.

He used to be a staunch commitment-phobe.

Yet, on graduation day, he took off his pinky ring—a symbol of his independence—and placed it on *my* ring finger.

Later, he wanted to start his own business and needed significant seed money.

To protect his ego, I secretly invested a substantial amount of money in his venture, disguised as an anonymous benefactor.

Eventually, he established his company and gained a foothold in the Sterling family, but the Hayes family was in decline.

I didn’t want to be a burden, but he gave me 50% of his company shares.

He swore that with him, I would always remain the respected Eleanor Hayes.

So what is true love? True love can change in an instant.

These past few days, Julian had been coming home late.

I’d drift in and out of sleep, feeling myself held close, but every morning, there was no trace of it.

It seemed even a 'wastrel' had a busy schedule. I mechanically ate breakfast; now, eating was merely about fulfilling the bare minimum for survival.

My phone suddenly vibrated. It was Dad.

“Eleanor, I was wrong about you before. Your bank accounts are unfrozen. Just… be happy with Julian from now on.”

“Dad, I might need to go abroad for surgery.”

After much deliberation, I finally told Dad about my illness.

There was a silence on the other end for a few seconds, then he burst into tears.

I could feel his self-reproach, so I tried to comfort him.

In that moment, I couldn't help but shed a few tears myself.

“Have you told Julian?”

“No, and I don’t want you to tell anyone else. I can handle this myself.”

After a brief chat, I hung up.

The hospital called for a follow-up appointment, so I quickly got ready to leave.

To my surprise, Lucas was at the door.

“What are you doing at Uncle’s house? If I hadn’t gone to your place looking for you just now, I never would have known you were hooking up with my uncle.”

Seeing my indifferent expression, Lucas started to sweet-talk me again.

“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have pushed you yesterday. I brought you breakfast.”

He’d brought me a heavy breakfast—something rich and meaty.

Not only did I despise strong-smelling foods, but my condition meant I couldn't eat anything like that.

“Just throw it away. I don’t need it.”

I had no strength left to argue.

“Where’s your bracelet? It’s okay if you lost it, I’ll buy you a new one. Let’s go to the mall after breakfast.”

He still hadn't changed his habit of not listening.

I couldn't win against him, so I went to the mall with him.

All the way there, he kept explaining his relationship with Chloe.

“Once this is all over, I’ll divorce Chloe. Just wait for me a little longer.”

“Oh, and don’t get too close to Uncle. He’s been acting strange lately, targeting me in business, and he’s even started a new conglomerate.”