The lights at Willow House remained as warm and elegant as ever. 

It was the third time Dominic had checked his watch, his brow furrowing without him even noticing. 

"Mr. Bennett, would you like me to contact Ms. Robinson for you?" the restaurant manager asked politely. 

Dominic waved him off. "That won't be necessary."

He then pulled out his phone, but there was nothing from Eleanor. 

That wasn't like her. She always replied to his messages right away. 

Frowning, Dominic left the restaurant. The night breeze brushed his face, but for reasons he couldn't name, unease crept in. 

…

When Dominic stepped into the house, the silence hit him at once. His frown deepened as he scanned the room.

Then, his eyes landed on two items lying on the coffee table. It was the divorce decree and the check he had written Eleanor. 

Dominic's pupils constricted, and a sudden tightness gripped his ch

Dominic stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. The cigarette between his fingers had burned down to the end, but he didn't even notice.

James called him at two in the morning.

"Mr. Bennett, we've found Ms. Robinson's address."

He abruptly stubbed out the cigarette. "Send it to me."

Eleanor's new apartment was in an old residential block. There were no elevators, and the hallways were narrow.

Dominic stood at the door, brows tightly furrowed. He couldn't imagine that the woman who once lived in luxury under the Bennett residence would choose a place like this.

He raised his hand and knocked, not too hard but with a pressure that made it impossible to ignore.

Footsteps shuffled inside, then the sound of a lock turning echoed.

Eleanor opened the door. The moment she saw him, her pupils contracted sharply.

She was dressed in simple loungewear, her hair loosely tied up. She w

In the days that followed, Dominic didn't come home. Eleanor didn't call him either. 

On the day the divorce agreement took effect, she went to the courthouse alone. When the clerk handed her the final decree, she accepted it calmly.

As her fingers brushed over the embossed words, not a flicker of emotion stirred within her. 

…

It was still early when Eleanor stepped outside. So, she flagged down a cab and headed back to the Bennett residence to collect the last of her things. 

But as soon as she opened the door, she found Dominic standing in the middle of the living room, sharp as ever in a suit. 

"Where did you go?" he asked. 

Before she could answer, he nodded. It was as if he had already pieced it together. "Right. It's our anniversary today. Did you go out to get a gift?"

Eleanor went still. Only then did it hit her—it was their anniversary. 

Three years ago, to the day, they had exchanged rings in front of a room full of smiling guests. That same night, he had handed her a divorce agreement. 

He had told her the marriage was nothing more than a business deal and warned her not to take it seriously. It would all be over in three years.

Of all the days for the divorce to go through, it had to be their anniversary. 

Of course, Dominic thought Eleanor had gone out to get him a gift. Year after year, she had picked out something he liked, though he never remembered the date.

So, why did he remember it this time? And did he realize today marked the end of everything?

Eleanor's thoughts churned. In the end, she simply tightened her grip on the decree tucked inside her bag and nodded slightly. 

"Yes. I went to get your gift."

She figured the decree would be enough.

Dominic didn't question it. He just nodded. "I'm taking Ashley to Silvaris tomorrow to ski. I figured we could go out tonight to celebrate."

After saying that, he checked his watch. "I booked the rooftop at Willow House. We'll do the gifts later. Let's head out."

Then, he grabbed his jacket from the chair and walked toward the door.

But Eleanor didn't move. She stood frozen in place. 

It wasn't until Dominic stepped outside that he noticed she hadn't followed. He turned back, frowning. "What are you waiting for?"

Eleanor's lips parted slightly. However, the truth that she was leaving for good never came out.

After a pause, she came up with an excuse. "I've got a few things to take care of. You go ahead. I'll meet you there."

Fortunately, Dominic didn't push further. He simply gave a quiet hum of acknowledgement and left.

Meanwhile, Eleanor stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows. She watched as his black sedan pulled out of the driveway and disappeared around the corner. 

It was the first time in three years he had remembered their anniversary. But this time, she no longer cared.

She slowly took the crisp divorce decree from her bag and placed it on the coffee table. Then, she picked up the suitcase she had packed earlier, quietly closed the door behind her, and walked away.

The decree remained on the table. Next to it sat the check she had never cashed.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, catching the long line of zeros. But no amount of money could buy back a hand-knitted shawl, and it could never bring back three years of love.


The lights at Willow House remained as warm and elegant as ever. 

It was the third time Dominic had checked his watch, his brow furrowing without him even noticing. 

"Mr. Bennett, would you like me to contact Ms. Robinson for you?" the restaurant manager asked politely. 

Dominic waved him off. "That won't be necessary."

He then pulled out his phone, but there was nothing from Eleanor. 

That wasn't like her. She always replied to his messages right away. 

Frowning, Dominic left the restaurant. The night breeze brushed his face, but for reasons he couldn't name, unease crept in. 

…

When Dominic stepped into the house, the silence hit him at once. His frown deepened as he scanned the room.

Then, his eyes landed on two items lying on the coffee table. It was the divorce decree and the check he had written Eleanor. 

Dominic's pupils constricted, and a sudden tightness gripped his chest.

With trembling hands, he picked up the papers, checking the date again and again. It was today

Chapter 10