Chapter 8

Elaria ran into Liam in the parking lot. Liam looked just as surprised. After a beat, he walked over, gaze deep and steady. "You're actually leaving Halden?" Elaria nodded lightly. "Yeah. Time to go." She tossed the suitcase into the trunk, slammed it shut, then turned to face him. "Thanks for what you did that night." Liam studied her face-the calm, quiet look that gave nothing away. This was the Elaria he knew. That night, she'd looked heartbreakingly fragile. Like something out of a fleeting dream. His eyes darkened a shade, but he held back, nodding simply. "It was nothing." Even though he seemed cool about it, after Elaria drove off, he stood there for a long time, staring into the distance, expression unreadable. ***** At 8 p.m., Elaria reached Imperial Crest Residences. As soon as she got out of the car, a warm hint of osmanthus scent brushed past her. It was oddly comforting. The housekeeper approached quickly, polite and eager. "Madam, will you be dining alone tonight, or wait for Mr. Richards? The food's all prepped, just needs a quick stir-fry and it's ready." Elaria paused, her tone quiet. "No need to cook for me anymore, starting today." The housekeeper looked shocked, mouth half open to ask more, but Elaria had already stepped past the entry and up the staircase. Upstairs, soft golden light filled the hallway. Elaria slowed her pace. She stared silently ahead down the elegant corridor, each step pulling up memories-of her and Sebastian, of all they'd been through, the scars, the love, and the ache. "Sebastian, you wanted power-I helped you." "We won't always struggle like this, right?" "Sebastian, it hurts. My stomach..." "I'm sorry, Mrs. Richards. After examining, your chances of conceiving are extremely low. You may want to consider adoption." Every meter she walked felt like a lifetime. Like she was walking away from everything she'd once felt for him. The night breeze skimmed across her face-cold. Numb. She pushed open the bedroom door, flicked on the wall light. The room glowed soft and warm. In four years, her world had revolved entirely around Sebastian. She'd stood by as he rose to the top. He was thriving... and she? She'd lost herself. But now, she was finally free. Elaria headed into the walk-in closet, dragging out several large suitcases. She started packing everything: the clothes she wore the most, the jewelry she once cherished. She wasn't leaving anything behind for Sebastian. Once packed, she stood up and her eyes fell on the oil painting on the wall. It was her own work, painted years ago-a youthful Sebastian, full of light. But the love was gone. So, the painting didn't matter anymore. Digging into her handbag, Elaria pulled out a lipstick. She slashed it hard across the painting, red marks bleeding over the surface, turning the image into chaos. Little by little, Sebastian's face disappeared beneath the mess. She had poured all her love into that painting. Now, she let all her hate do the same. Not just the painting-Elaria grabbed a knife and cut their wedding photo into jagged pieces. Glass shattered. So did the last ties of their story. The once-happy smiles in the photo couldn't be mended anymore. She let the knife drop to the floor, her hand trembling uncontrollably. She raised her hand to cover her face, eyes burning, almost as if she could still feel the stabbing pain from that night... when she'd lost everything. Elaria left, not looking back. The bedroom, once warm with life, was now a hollow shell. On the nightstand, a diamond ring lay still, catching the light-cold and distant. In the ground floor garage, the housekeeper failed to stop her, watching helplessly as she drove off. Once she snapped out of it, she quickly dialed Sebastian. ***** VIP Inpatient Unit, Newgrace Hospital. At the end of the hallway, the tall windows were wide open, letting in the cool night breeze. Sebastian stood there, tall and sharp in profile, answering a call from Imperial Crest Residences. The voice on the other side sounded panicked. "Sir, Madam has left." He looked mildly annoyed. "Did she say where she was going?" He didn't take it seriously-just figured Elaria was in a bad mood and out blowing off steam. A few days ago, didn't she go drinking alone? He scolded the maid for overreacting. There was a pause before the maid said softly, "She didn't say. But she took several suitcases. After we went upstairs to check, we realized all her clothes and jewelry are gone. The bedroom's a complete mess, sir... you should really come back and see for yourself." His chest tightened a bit. He held the phone, standing frozen for a moment. After a long silence, he hung up and quickly headed for the elevator. Light from the hallway spilled over his face, casting sharp lines against his cheekbones. Even his lowered lashes trembled faintly. By the time Sebastian rushed back to Imperial Crest, night had fully fallen. He took the stairs two at a time up to the second floor and pushed open the bedroom door he once shared with Elaria. The door gave way softly, and his eyes were met with chaos. Their wedding photo, once hung above the bed, had been smashed to bits-glass shattered all over the floor. The sweet smile they'd once exchanged during that shoot was now completely slashed through, barely recognizable under deep knife cuts. He walked into the dressing area. Her closet doors were flung wide open, empty like they'd been raided. All her clothes, all her jewelry-gone. A painting hung crookedly on the wall-the one Elaria had always loved. She'd begged him back then to pose for it during their honeymoon phase. One of the few genuinely good memories in their marriage. Sebastian just didn't get it. They had everything now-they stood at the very top. So why was Elaria growing distant, why was she causing all this drama? Being Mrs. Richards was supposed to be some women's dream. And she just... didn't want it anymore? He refused to believe that. Hands clenched, he stood among the shattered glass and dialed her number. He honestly thought she was just trying to make a point. Maybe trying to get his attention. But to his surprise, the call connected-and she actually answered. Sebastian's voice was sharp, filled with frustration. He told her that her little disappearing act would blow up and mess with their public image-bad press, rumors, all of it would hurt Halden & Co. He barked into the phone, "You're being ridiculous! Elaria, this isn't just about you. Think about the bigger picture." Her voice came back clear, calm, almost too calm. "There is no bigger picture left. Sebastian, the divorce papers are already being drawn up. You'll be getting a court notice soon." His throat tightened. A long pause. "...What are you saying?" His voice was hoarse. There was a beat, then her tone turned cold. "Exactly what you heard. It's over, Sebastian. We're done." And just like that, she ended the call. He called again, but it was useless-her phone was already turned off, the automated message from the service provider playing over and over: "Sorry, the number you've dialed is currently unavailable..." Sebastian stood rooted on the spot for ages. From the doorway, a maid spoke up carefully. "Miss Bianca called. She's asking to speak with you." His temple twitched with restrained fury. In a low growl, he snapped, "Tell her to get lost!" Elaria was gone. She didn't want him anymore. His Elaria didn't want him anymore. The same Elaria who once looked him in the eye and said she'd stay forever, that she'd always be by his side-no matter what... Breathing hard, he held back the flood of emotions until something on the floor caught his eye. A folded piece of paper that had slid halfway under the bed-aged, yellowed, like it'd been there for years. He frowned and bent down to pick it up. And when he saw what it was, his whole body froze. It was a diagnosis form. From an OB/GYN clinic. Patient name: Elaria.