Chapter 2

That sentence felt like another burning slap on my face.

The Eleanor I knew in the past would never have uttered such words.

Back in school, if anyone dared to mock my grades, she’d stand with her hands on her hips, forcing a dozen people to apologize to me.

After we married, her care was boundless.

If my fingertip had a tiny scratch, she’d hold it and blow on it for ages.

I genuinely believed we’d continue like that forever.

That she’d always love me so deeply.

"Eleanor…"

I couldn't help but speak her name.

She spun around, a flicker of hope in her eyes.

I tried to get up but fell heavily to the floor.

My heart ached with sharp pangs, and a sudden flashback brought Leo's death before my eyes.

I clutched the fabric over my heart, looking up, only to see the door slowly opening from the outside.

Noah had never left.

He peered down at me through the crack, then raised a finger to his lips, making a "shhh" gesture.

"What were you going to say?"

Eleanor waited, her gaze fixed on me.

I shook my head.

She walked towards me:

"You definitely have something to say."

"Ms. Kingston."

Noah's voice called from outside.

Eleanor's body tensed.

Yet, she remained rooted to the spot, waiting for me to speak.

I glanced at Noah's anxious face, then pulled out a box of Durex and held it out:

"Don't forget these."

Eleanor laughed, a harsh sound born of sheer fury.

She hurled the box of Durex at my face, then turned and walked away.

Noah was the one who closed the door.

His red lips curled into a satisfied smirk as he watched my conflicted expression.

He slammed the door shut.

I leaned against the wall, clutching the fabric over my heart.

Not yet… I had to wait a little longer, just a little longer.

I searched every room in the sprawling estate before finally finding a small first-aid kit to treat my wounds.

For the next month, Eleanor didn't come home.

Then, one day, the front door was suddenly kicked open.

Eleanor rushed in, supporting a bloodied Noah, followed by a team of professional private medical specialists.

This team had originally been meant for me, given my poor health.

They had been dismissed shortly after Leo's death.

Eleanor paced anxiously outside the room, listening to Noah's pained cries.

She suddenly grabbed me, her grip like iron:

"Why did you push him down the stairs?"

I froze, stunned.

"Did you know I was over a month pregnant and deliberately targeted him?"

I looked towards Noah in surprise.

His sharp brows were slightly furrowed, and he didn't look particularly pained, yet his wails were exceptionally piercing.

He shot me a threatening look.

I suddenly smiled:

"Yes, what about it?"

Eleanor seemed taken aback.

She carefully studied my expression:

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"I do."

"Aren't you going to explain yourself?"

"There's nothing to explain."

"If you admit it, I will sue you for aggravated assault."

My body stiffened.

I looked at her, a hint of surprise in my eyes.

She stared fixedly at me:

"Either you tell me the truth about my brother's death, and I can overlook this."

I glanced at Noah.

I took a deep breath:

"You will know."

Hope flared in her eyes.

"But not now."

Her grip on my shoulder tightened fiercely, and her eyes reddened:

"What is your relationship with that killer? You'd rather go to jail than betray her!"

"I told you, Eleanor. I have no relationship with her."

A person in extreme anger can sometimes lose the ability to speak.

She gritted her teeth and nodded:

"Do you think I won't dare to sue you?"

I just looked at her.

She shoved me away.