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.