4
That night.
was forced to meet Julian.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone languid.
“Stop having your people spread these rumors,” I said softly.
He paused, then his voice lifted. “Why so down? Are you upset?”
“What do you want from me?” I couldn’t control myself; I was on the verge of breaking down.
He remained silent.
My voice was hoarse. “Watching my identity exposed, being called a shameless hussy, my entire family blaming me–does that make you happy? Are you satisfi- ed?” As I spoke, I trembled uncontrollably. How could someone be so inexplicably cruel, so utterly mad?
After a long moment, Julian murmured, “Beg me, and I’ll help you. I can’t bear to see you so upset.”
I opened my mouth. But no sound emerged. I felt like a complete and utter joke.
Finally, only two strained, dry words escaped: “I don’t want to.”
Julian repeated, his emotions unreadable. “Don’t want to?”
“What do you mean, Eleanor?” his voice hardened.
“Let’s just end this,” I said, steadying myself and walking back to my room. He seemed to want to reach for me, but then, as if enraged, ignored me entirely.
outlandish. Various distant relatives of the Hayes family
I stumbled back to bed, my mind a hazy mess, unable to sleep for a long time. The rumors grew even carne to me, their words laced with reproach.
My cousin, Chloe, spoke plainly to me: [Honestly, Eleanor, if you can’t keep hold of Julian, then don’t hog the Do you even realize the impact this is having?]
Once she started, the other younger relatives chimed in. My cousin Leo, a smug look on his face: [It’s so embarrassing, letting a mistress run rampant over you. If I were Eleanor, I wouldn’t even dare leave the house. I heard Julian spent a fortune on her. Did he ever do anything like that for you, Eleanor? Maybe you should just ask for a divorce and leave with some dignity as a discarded wife.]
At his words, everyone else’s expressions varied, each harboring their own thoughts. I forced a bitter smile. I ask for a divorce? My father still held sway over the Hayes family, and I was his only daughter. He wouldn’t let go of this chance to curry favor with a powerful family.
My head ached from listening. I politely declined all visitors, citing ill health. Yet, some busybody staff members still lingered, recounting the latest gossip. Julian had brought Seraphina to a family dinner. Julian, openly and without decorum, wrapped his arm around Seraphina’s waist. His inner circle, his brothers–in–arms,
toasted merrily on either side.
Like what? A perfectly intimate newlywed couple.
The bullet comments poured out like a flood.
[Don’t be sad, Ellie, Julian’s just putting on a show! We all know he loves you most]
[That’s right, he deliberately made sure you knew all this, he just wants to see you jealous.]
[He’s been pining for you. You turned him away last night, he’s practically dying of sadness.]
[Ellie, go find him! Tell him you’re jealous, he’d give his life for you!]
closed my eyes, numb. I forced all those comments from my mind. After an unknown amount of time, I rose, my body cold. I sent someone to intercept the servant carrying the divorce papers. I would deliver them to Julian myself. I needed one full day to gather my things, undetected and undisturbed. After the gala, I’d ride out on a fast horse, leaving this heartbroken place behind. Leaving the divorce papers right here.
I had to leave this place, leave Julian, and escape my father’s control.
