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.