Chapter 328

Jack had known about Eleanor’s marriage for some time. At first, he had been completely unaware. His younger brother, Ronald, eventually told him the truth. The revelation had left Jack stunned. Eleanor—his Eleanor—was only nineteen, and the Hampton family had married her off to a disabled man, no less. Shock quickly gave way to anger. He had been moments away from storming over to the Hampton family to confront them. But Ronald had stopped him, insisting that Eleanor had entered the marriage willingly without being coerced or mistreated, Ronald had assured him. Still, Jack couldn't let it go. His emotions boiled beneath the surface, driving him to seek Eleanor out, determined to hear it from her own lips. Her response was exactly what Ronald had told him: she was in love with Robert. Though the explanation put his mind somewhat at ease, a lingering sadness remained. He had only recently acknowledged Eleanor as his kin, and now, she was already someone else’s. He hadn’t had time to mak