Chapter 1

"Mr. Cross, I just sent you a copy of the divorce agreement. My husband and I signed it on our wedding day. Could you take a look and let me know if there's anything I should be concerned about?"

Eleanor Robinson stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, absentmindedly running her fingers along the edge of her phone.

"I've reviewed the document, Ms. Robinson. Everything appears to be in order," Leo Cross replied, his voice calm and professional.

He continued, "There's still one month left on the three-year term. Once that expires, the agreement will take effect immediately. At that point, you'll just need to head to the courthouse to finalize the divorce."

"Alright. I appreciate it."

After hanging up, Eleanor lifted her gaze to the wedding portrait on the wall.

She wore a white gown, smiling so brightly that it lit up her entire face. Dominic Bennett stood beside her, impeccably dressed and effortlessly handsome. Yet, not even the faintest hint of a smile touched his lips.

The truth was plain to see. She loved him, and he couldn't have cared less.

Eleanor gently traced the photo, her fingers brushing the hard line of Dominic's indifferent expression. Under her breath, she muttered, "The day's almost here. You must be thrilled, huh?"

At that moment, the sound of the door unlocking pulled her back to reality. She quickly dropped her hand and turned toward the entryway, saying, "You're home."

She took Dominic's coat as he shrugged it off before crouching down to switch out his shoes for slippers. Every movement was fluid and practiced, like it had become second nature.

Dominic loosened his tie, then said coolly, "Bennett Group will be holding its anniversary gala next month. I need you to be there."

Eleanor paused, still holding his coat. A beat later, she shook her head. "I can't."

"Why not?" he asked with a frown.

She was about to respond when his gaze turned sharp. It was as if he had suddenly figured it out.

"Is this because I've been spending time with Ashley? I told you I was in love with someone else on the day we got married. And you agreed you wouldn't get in the way."

A jolt of pain tore through Eleanor's chest, like someone had ripped her open from the inside.

She had never imagined her husband would confess that he was in love with someone else on their wedding night. As if that weren't enough, he handed her a signed divorce agreement set to take effect three years later.

Eleanor was simply holding up her end of the deal. By next month, she'd be gone, so of course she couldn't attend the gala.

Three years earlier, Robinson Corporation and Bennett Group announced a marriage alliance between the two families.

Eleanor had nursed a quiet crush on Dominic for years. So, when she learned she was going to marry him, she was overjoyed.

But on their wedding night, he handed her a divorce agreement.

"I'm in love with someone else. Since she comes from a modest background, my family would never accept her." Dominic had said it flatly and without hesitation.

Then, he continued, "Give me three years. Once I become the head of the Bennett family, no one will be able to object. Until then, we pretend to be husband and wife. After that, we'll go our separate ways."

That night, Eleanor signed the papers just as he asked. Later, she locked herself in the bathroom and cried until morning.

…

Barely three months into their marriage, Ashley Lowell vanished after a fight with Dominic. He lost his mind trying to find her, pulling every string he could. But in the end, there was still no trace of her.

During that time, Dominic didn't come for days. And when he did, he was usually drunk, his eyes dark and hollow.

Then one night, he came stumbling through the door. The next moment, he pushed Eleanor down onto the bed.

His breath reeked of alcohol as his lips found hers. However, he slurred, "Ashley… Why did you leave? Why would you be with someone else? Don't you believe me?"

Eleanor froze. A sharp ache gripped her chest, making it hard to draw air.

As it turned out, Dominic had found Ashley. Unfortunately for him, she had already moved on to someone else.

That same night, Eleanor gave herself to him. But as he held her close, he called out another woman's name again and again.

When Dominic woke up the next morning and saw the bloodstains on the sheets, he looked stunned. Still, he said nothing.

Eleanor acted like nothing had happened either. She laid out fresh clothes for him and reminded him of his meetings.

Outwardly, she held it together, while inside, she was falling apart.

From then on, she only tried harder to take care of Dominic.

Eleanor knew his stomach couldn't handle much, so she got up early each morning to make something gentle. She understood how much pressure he was under, so she learned how to give massages to ease his tension.

She knew he valued silence, so she never raised her voice. Even in her own home, she moved quietly, always mindful of her steps.

Gradually, Dominic began to treat her like a real wife.

When he returned from business trips, he'd bring back small gifts. When she had a cold, he made her tea. At night, he'd pull her into his arms, his palm resting warm against her waist.

He never mentioned the divorce again. It was as if that agreement had never existed.

Eleanor, on the other hand, foolishly began to believe that maybe Dominic might fall in love with her after all.

But then, Ashley came back three months ago, freshly out of a breakup.

Dominic dropped everything to be with her. He took her out for meals, went shopping by her side, and even canceled important meetings just because she said she was feeling down.

One day, Eleanor stood by the window and watched as Dominic's car pulled away. He was headed to Ashley's apartment again.

That was when she understood—true love didn't need proof. She could give him everything she had, and it would still never measure up to a single glance from Ashley.

Thankfully, the three-year marriage contract was almost up. Eleanor told herself it had all just been a dream.

And now, she was finally waking up. It was time to go.

…

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

Dominic's voice snapped Eleanor out of her thoughts.

She stared blankly at him, her throat tightening. Had he forgotten about the divorce agreement?

For the past three years, she had counted down every day. She was terrified that when the time came, he'd walk away without a second thought.

But now, it seemed like he didn't remember at all.

Just as she was about to remind him, his phone rang.

The moment Dominic picked up, Eleanor could hear Ashley crying on the other end. She couldn't make out the words, but she saw the color drain from his face.

"Don't be scared. I'm on my way," he reassured Ashley.

Having said that, he hung up, grabbed his keys, and bolted for the door.

In his haste, Dominic's shoulder slammed into Eleanor, sending her stumbling backward. Her back slammed into the doorframe, and she winced.

Even so, he didn't glance back. He was already gone.

Eleanor steadied herself against the wall and slowly made her way to the bedroom. When she removed her sweater, she saw the bruise already forming.

She retrieved the first aid kit before applying ointment in silence. All the while, her chest ached as though something were being hollowed out from the inside.

Then, she sat on the edge of the bed, gazing out the window as dusk crept in.

At that moment, her phone buzzed. It was Dominic.

"Come to Downtown General Hospital," he instructed.

Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. She blurted, "What happened?"

"I'll explain when you get here."

…

By the time Eleanor arrived at the hospital, she spotted Dominic outside the operating room. He held Ashley close as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Eleanor stopped in her tracks. The sight of them together was enough to knock the breath from her.

"What happened?" she asked softly as she approached them.

Dominic looked up and replied, "Ashley's mom was just diagnosed with acute leukemia. She needs a bone marrow transplant immediately."

Eleanor blinked. "And?"

"We searched the registry, but there are no matches," he said lightly. "I just got tested. I'm a match."

Eleanor stared at him in disbelief. "You're going to donate? But there are risks. You—"

"I didn't call you to ask permission," Dominic cut in. "They need a family member's signature to proceed."

The word hit Eleanor like a blow. Legally, she was still his wife. But in his eyes, she had never been family.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Finally, she managed to say, "Alright. I'll sign."

With that, a nurse handed her the consent form. She wrote her name slowly, each stroke landing like a weight in her chest.

Once that was done, Dominic released Ashley and walked toward the operating room.

Just before the doors closed, Eleanor called out, "Dominic!"

He turned, but his eyes gave nothing away.

A tremor passed through Eleanor's lips. After a pause, she simply said, "Be careful."

Something flickered in Dominic's eyes. Yet, he said nothing and stepped through the doors.

The moment the doors clicked shut, tears finally streamed down Eleanor's cheeks. That was when she understood that Dominic's love for Ashley ran so deep that he would've given her everything—even his life.

Chapter 2

The red light above the operating room doors stayed lit. The hallway was silent, save for the sound of breathing.

Eleanor sat on the bench, her hands numb with cold.

Across from her, Ashley's eyes were rimmed with red. Every so often, she glanced toward the operating room doors.

Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Robinson. I never meant to bring more trouble to you both."

Eleanor looked up at her but said nothing.

Ashley wiped at her tears, her voice choking with emotion as she added, "I never thought Dominic would still care this deeply after all these years."

Then, she paused, as though drifting into a memory.

"Last year, on my birthday, he flew all the way to Peressa just to bring me a necklace. It was one I had mentioned once in passing, something I said I liked.

"I couldn't believe he remembered. But I was still angry at him, so I threw the necklace at him and wouldn't even let him in."

At that, Eleanor's fingers curled into fists, her nails biting into her palms.

She remembered it clearly. Dominic had told her he'd be out of town for a few days on a business trip. When he came back, he had casually handed her a necklace.

Eleanor had been overjoyed. She kept it tucked away at the bottom of her jewelry box and couldn't even bring herself to wear it.

But now she knew. The necklace was something Ashley had rejected, and he had simply handed it off to her.

Ashley went on, "The Christmas before that, I got into a terrible fight with my boyfriend at the time. I posted something dark on Instagram. Dominic saw it and flew over that same night.

"He stood outside my apartment for hours. It was snowing hard, but he never moved. He didn't even try to knock."

Eleanor's chest tightened. She remembered that Christmas, too.

Dominic had been unusually passionate that night and made love to her seven times. She had believed he was finally falling in love with her.

The next morning, she woke up alone. In fact, the space beside her had long gone cold. Still, she assumed he had left to handle some urgent work.

But the truth was, he had rushed off to see Ashley.

At that moment, Ashley's tears fell again. "I was angry for three years and refused to reach out. But Dominic never forgot me. He wrote me a letter every single day, even though I never replied."

Suddenly, Eleanor couldn't breathe.

She remembered all the nights she saw the light still on in Dominic's office. She had thought he was working late and even made coffee to help him stay awake.

All the while, he had been writing love letters to Ashley.

She had let herself believe that while Ashley was gone, Dominic truly wanted a life with her. Now, she realized it was just an illusion she had clung to.

Eleanor had convinced herself that he was finally letting her in. But all along, his heart had been somewhere else.

Just as Ashley looked ready to speak again, Eleanor stood abruptly.

Her face had turned pale by then. Even so, she kept her voice steady. "I have to go. There's something I need to take care of."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away. Her steps grew quicker, until she was all but running.

…

At home, Eleanor packed her things in silence. There was nothing left to do but wait for the divorce agreement to take effect.

In the days that followed, she saw updates about Dominic through Ashley's Instagram.

His surgery was a success, but he didn't stop to rest. Instead, he immediately arranged for Ashley's mother to be moved into a private hospital room and flew in a top medical team from overseas. He even reviewed every detail of her treatment plan.

In Ashley's latest post, Dominic sat by his bed. Even with the IV still in his arm, he was carefully peeling an apple for her.

Her caption read, "I'll never find anyone who loves me this much again."

Pain crashed over Eleanor like a tidal wave. Before she knew it, her tears hit the screen, blurring Dominic's gentle profile in the photo.

She thought of the years she had spent taking care of Dominic.

She had made him oatmeal every morning for his sensitive stomach. At night, she kept the lights on late, waiting for him to come home. The fruit she brought him was always peeled, cored, and cut into perfect, bite-sized pieces.

And now, he was doing all that for someone else.

Eleanor took in a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and told herself, "It's okay. Once I stop loving him, I'll finally learn to love myself."

Chapter 3

Dominic returned home a week later. Eleanor hadn't expected to see him. As far as she was concerned, he should've been glued to Ashley's side around the clock.

"There's a family dinner tonight. Get changed," he said flatly.

Eleanor didn't argue. She simply changed into a formal dress and followed Dominic out the door.

…

The atmosphere at dinner was lively. Glasses clinked as everyone exchanged pleasantries. Eventually, the topic shifted to Eleanor and Dominic.

"You two have been married for three years now. Isn't it time for a baby?" someone asked with a grin.

Another chimed in, "Exactly. Dominic's the head of the family now. There needs to be an heir."

"Eleanor, you really ought to speed things up," said a third.

Eleanor lowered her gaze and didn't respond, her fingertips idly tracing the rim of her glass.

Right then, Dominic, who had stayed silent until now, spoke. "There's no rush."

His voice wasn't loud, but it cut straight through the room.

In an instant, everyone fell quiet. Their expressions shifted, yet no one dared push further. After all, Dominic was now running the family.

Just like that, the mood turned heavy, and the rest of the meal passed in uncomfortable silence.

…

After dinner, Sharon Moore, Dominic's mother, rose to her feet. Her gaze landed on Eleanor, sharp and cold.

"Come with me to the study."

Everyone at the table knew what that meant. Sharon was about to corner Eleanor about having a baby.

Dominic clearly caught on too. He frowned and said, "If you've got something to say, say it to me."

But before Sharon could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and his expression shifted slightly.

Without another word, he stepped away to take the call. His voice softened as he answered. "Ashley? What's going on?"

Sharon let out a scoff at that sight. Then, she turned to Eleanor, snapping, "Come with me!"

Eleanor pressed her lips together and quietly followed.

Once the study door shut, Sharon's expression darkened.

"Sit," she ordered.

Eleanor slowly settled into a chair, the marble beneath her heels cold.

"Do you even know what you've done?" Sharon asked, looking at her with clear disdain.

Eleanor, however, kept her head down and said nothing.

Suddenly, Sharon slammed her hand against the desk. "You just sat there while Dominic told everyone he wasn't ready for kids. You should've corrected him!"

Then, she yanked open a drawer, pulled out a bottle of pills, and banged it on the desk. "These are fertility supplements. You'll start taking them today. And you'll sleep with Dominic every night until you're pregnant."

In the past, Eleanor would've accepted it without question. But this time, she lifted her head. Her voice was soft but steady as she replied, "I'm not taking them."

"What did you say?" Sharon narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not taking them. Dominic doesn't want a child right now, and I'm respecting that."

All these years, Dominic had made sure to take precautions. Even when things got out of hand, he always made sure Eleanor took the morning-after pill.

She used to think he just wasn't ready. Now, she realized he had never intended to have children with her.

And since she had already decided to leave, she wasn't going to tether herself to him with a baby.

Sharon's voice rose sharply. "Excuse me?"

"I said I'm not taking them," Eleanor repeated.

Sharon trembled with rage as she yelled, "How dare you! You're his wife, and you refuse to do your part? He donated bone marrow to Ashley's mother, but you didn't even try to stop him!"

In the next second, she barked, "Bring me the belt!"

Soon, the household staff appeared with a thick leather strap in her hand.

Sharon snatched it from her without hesitation. "I'm going to ask you one last time. Will you take the supplements?"

Eleanor shook her head in response.

Without warning, Sharon brought the belt down across Eleanor's back.

The first strike landed hard, a searing pain ripping through her and radiating down to her limbs. She clenched her jaw as cold sweat broke out across her skin.

"Will you take the pills?" Sharon asked again.

Eleanor gritted her teeth and shook her head once more. And so, the belt came down again and again.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, she caught sight of Dominic in the garden. He was still on the phone, and he stood with his back to the study.

His posture was loose, easy. Now and then, he let out a soft chuckle. Clearly, he was enjoying whatever Ashley was saying.

Chapter 4

"If that's how it is, then I'll beat some sense into you until you learn what it means to be a real wife!" Sharon shouted.

The belt tore through Eleanor's shirt, leaving streaks of blood across her back. She trembled from the pain, yet she refused to give in.

"I-I won't take the pills…" she stammered.

By then, blood had soaked through her clothes, and her vision began to blur. The last thing she saw was Dominic's back, still on the phone.

As darkness closed in around her, Eleanor thought that maybe this was for the best. One final pain, and she would never hurt because of him again.

…

When Eleanor regained consciousness, she found herself lying in a hospital bed.

A moment later, she heard the hospital director speaking in a respectful tone. "Mr. Bennett, the marks on Mrs. Bennett are quite severe. Some have gone deep into the dermis."

"Use the best medicine," Dominic replied, his voice low and cold. "Get the best doctors, too. I don't want her left with any scars."

"Yes, Mr. Bennett. We'll do everything we can."

After the director left, Dominic turned. That was when he finally saw that Eleanor was awake.

He rushed to her side, frowning. "How are you feeling?"

Eleanor tried to move, but the pain across her back flared like fire. Still, she stayed composed. "I'm fine. The nurses here can take care of me. If you've got things to do, go ahead."

To her surprise, Dominic didn't leave. Instead, he sat beside her. His expression was unreadable as he asked, "My mom gave you a hard time. Why didn't you call me?"

She thought of how his back had been turned and how he had been so focused on talking to Ashley. The memory made her let out a bitter chuckle.

"Well, you looked busy." After a pause, Eleanor asked softly, "If I had called, would you really have come right away?"

"Of course," Dominic answered without hesitation.

She stilled. That wasn't the answer she had expected.

"I've already handled things with the family," he added. "No one's going to pressure you about having a child anymore."

Eleanor lowered her gaze, then replied, "Okay. You should go now."

"Why do you keep trying to send me away?" Dominic shot back, his brow furrowing.

His response took her by surprise. "Aren't you busy?"

After all, he was always tied up with work and Ashley.

"Not lately." Dominic reached over and pulled the blanket up around her. "I can take care of you for the next few days."

That caught her completely off guard.

…

True to his word, Dominic stayed at the hospital to care for Eleanor over the next few days. He adjusted her bed, fed her, and even changed her bandages himself.

One night, when the pain kept her from sleeping, he sat by her bed and gently patted her back. He stayed that way until she finally drifted off.

His tenderness brought back memories of the closeness they used to share. But Eleanor wouldn't let herself fall for it again.

She had already made up her mind to leave, and there was no going back.

…

A week later, the marks on Eleanor's back had faded significantly.

That day, as Dominic applied ointment, she let out a soft gasp without meaning to. Almost immediately, his hand froze mid-motion.

Puzzled, Eleanor turned, only to meet his intense gaze. His Adam's apple bobbed, and below his waist…

Her expression shifted slightly. However, Dominic was already leaning in, his breathing growing heavier with each passing second.

Just as his lips were about to meet hers, a sharp sound broke the tension.

They both turned to see Ashley standing in the doorway. The fruit basket had slipped from her hands, and fruit rolled across the floor.

Chapter 5

Tears welled up in Ashley's eyes. Her voice shook as she asked, "D-Did I interrupt something?"

In a flash, Dominic shoved Eleanor aside.

"Ashley, it's not what you think!"

He moved too suddenly. Caught off guard, Eleanor toppled backward off the hospital bed.

A dull thud echoed as the back of her head slammed into the sharp corner of the nightstand. Blood gushed instantly.

"I won't get in your way anymore," Ashley choked out, then turned and ran.

"Ashley!" Dominic shouted. He didn't even spare Eleanor a glance and ran after Ashley without hesitation.

Eleanor lay where she fell, her vision hazy as warmth seeped from the back of her skull. Then, without warning, she laughed until tears streaked her cheeks.

By the time the nurse found her, she had already passed out from blood loss.

As everything faded, she caught the nurse's panicked voice. "Head trauma! Get a doctor, now!"

But even then, Dominic never returned.

…

Eleanor ended up staying in the hospital for several more days due to the injury. Dominic never came, not even once.

She figured he was busy comforting Ashley. So, she didn't call or text him.

On the day Eleanor was discharged, the butler called. Alfred Jenkins reached out to ask about the plans for Dominic's upcoming birthday party.

Eleanor held the phone to her ear, silent for a long moment.

For years, she had been the one to plan every detail of his birthday.

Despite all their wealth, the Bennett family had never been affectionate. Dominic's parents didn't even know he was allergic to peanuts. Every year, they'd order cakes topped with peanut butter frosting.

Eleanor remembered the first party she had attended. At the time, Dominic had quietly slipped away to take his allergy meds.

"Why don't you just tell them?" she'd asked, concern written all over her face.

Dominic's expression had remained impassive as he replied, "No point. They care about the company's yearly earnings more than they do about me."

From that moment on, Eleanor had taken over everything herself. She tailored everything to his liking, from the menu to the flowers.

He never had to deal with decorations he didn't like anymore. Better yet, he no longer had to worry about accidentally eating something that could trigger his allergy.

"Mrs. Bennett?" Alfred prompted gently on the other end of the line.

Eleanor drew in a deep breath before saying, "I'll take care of it."

This would be the last time. After the divorce, someone else would handle it.

Just like previous years, she planned it meticulously. But this time, she had Alfred shadow her from start to finish, walking him through every last detail.

"The cake has to be Black Forest—absolutely no peanuts. Use white roses because he hates red ones. Also, no tequila on the drink list. It gives him headaches.

"Write all of this down. The next time you're in charge, make sure there are no mistakes."

"Won't you be organizing it next time?" Alfred asked, confused.

At that, Eleanor lowered her gaze and said nothing. Next time, she wouldn't even be Mrs. Bennett anymore.

How could it still be her job?

…

On the night of the party, the place sparkled with light and elegance.

Eleanor stood at the entrance in a pale blue gown, greeting guests as they arrived. Then, she saw him.

Dominic strolled in with Ashley on his arm. She wore a pink tulle dress and walked beside him like the perfect trophy wife.

Just like that, Eleanor understood something. He had won her back.

Throughout the evening, Dominic's eyes never strayed from Ashley. When her glass ran empty, he had someone bring her juice.

When the wind stirred her dress, someone stepped in to straighten it. Every time she tasted something she liked, her face lit up with delight.

And each time, a gentle smile would tug at Dominic's lips. But not once did he look at Eleanor.

Still, she stood quietly in the corner, playing hostess like it was just another party.

…

Finally, it was time to open the presents. The guests had all brought lavish, extravagant gifts for Dominic.

Meanwhile, the limited-edition watch Eleanor had chosen was presented on a silver tray by Alfred.

"Wow! Mrs. Bennett has such impeccable taste. There are only ten of these in the world!" one guest exclaimed.

Someone added, "It suits Mr. Bennett perfectly!"

"Married couples always know each other best!"

Dominic glanced at Eleanor. He was clearly satisfied with the present, but all he said was a cool, "Thank you."

However, a hush fell over the room the moment he unwrapped Ashley's gift.

Inside was a beige, hand-knitted scarf. The stitches were uneven, and the tension was inconsistent. It was evident that someone unskilled had made it.