Chapter 7%
Elric’s chest ached like it might cave in. His heart pounded so violently it felt like it could burst at any second. He did not even dare to think too deeply.
I had known everything. Everything he had done to me in that hospital, I had known
And yet, all that time, he thought he had it all under control.X
He had originally planned to wait until Roselyn had officially taken over the Morven Family’s company. Once he had fulfilled his so–called responsibility toward the child she was carrying, he intended to leave everything behind, marry Eloise overseas and finally give her the life she deserved.
The onlookers around whispered in disgust
“No wonder this guy rushed to marry someone else after his engagement party fell apart. Turns out, he destroyed his fiancée just to please his mistress.”
“A mother and daughter helping each other cover up abuse, even pushing real siblings to hurt one another? That’s beyond sick.
“I’ve never seen a homewrecker this vile.7
Videos of the confrontation spread online.
Roselyn, noticing people filming her, clung to Elric’s arm with a pitiful look in her eyes..
Elric, it was Eloise! She couldn’t handle being alone and threw herself at Toby! Please, stop them from slandering me..
Before she could finish, Toby charged toward her in a rage, only to be wrestled back by security
Rosie’s heart fluttered, thinking perhaps her words had gotten through, A glimmer of hope sparked in her chest until she looked up and met Elric’s icy glare.
“What are they slandering you for? You tortured Eloise behind my back. And even now, you dare to drag her name through the mud?”
I have someone take care of the child you’re carrying. As for you don’t even dream of touching a cent of my money ever again.”
Without sparing her another look, Elric turned and walked out of the hospital, leaving Roselyn frozen in place. Her carefully constructed world was crumbling around her.
After news of my “death” spread, it was as if I had vanished from the face of the earth. Not a single trace of me remained
Elric let his company’s stock value crash without lifting a finger to stop it. He wandered the city like a ghost, searching desperately for any sign of me, asking strangers if they had seen his fiancée, Eloise Thessaly
But by the time I heard any of this, I had already joined the Special Forces unit operating between Washington and New York as a marine structural engineer specializing in hull integrity.
Years slipped by like grains of sand through open fingers.
One bright afternoon, Owen–my childhood friend–took my daughter Annie for a walk along the beach. It was there that they ran into Elric Solvein. Gaunt Hollow–eyed. A ghost of the man he once was, burdened by time and the weight of his own remorse.
And then… he saw Annie. My daughter.§
A little girl with my eyes, my smile.. a living echo of a past he once held in his hands and shattered. She clung cheerfully to Owen’s hand, her voice sweet and innocent
“Daddy, when you and Mommy finish work, can you finally have your wedding?”
In that instant, something cracked inside Elric.
He lunged forward and grabbed Owen by the collar, desperation flooding his voice. “Is she… Is she mine? Where’s Eloise?”
Owen did not flinch a bit. Calm and steady, he raised his left hand, showing the engagement ring engraved with my name. Then, with no hesitation, he punched Elric hard across the jawll
“Take a good look. This is my daughter.
“Eloise gave up everything for you. Everything. When that foreign organization came for your life, she was the one who stood between you and death. And what did you do? You destroyed her. You don’t even deserve to say hername.”
Elric reeled from the blow, clutching his face, stunned.
“It was Rosie!” he snapped. “She was the one who gave me the antidote. She gave me her body, her loyalty. But it was you–it was you who took Eloise’s first time!”
Owen scoffed, eyes sharp with contempt. He punched him again
“Why do you think Eloise didn’t stay with you after she gave you the antidote?”
“She was stabbed repeatedly while trying to protect you. She risked her life to lead the enemy away.”
“While I was by her side through recovery at the hospital, where were you? Did you ever ask where she went? Did you ever look for her?*% Elric stood frozen, anguish etched into every line of his face.
He remembered that day–how i had tried to explain everything, how he had waved me off in frustration, refusing to listen.
Now, the once–proud CEO stood in ruins, shoulders slumped beneath the weight of guilt and regret
“Please, just tell me where she is give up everything. All of it. I just want to see her again…”
Owen opened his mouth, fury still burning behind his gaze. Then, Roselyn appeared behind Elric, panting as she ran after him.!!
