The Great Escape to Happiness [Chapters 11-20]

Chapter 11

After taking the photo for their marriage registration, Leon drove Eleanor straight back to the Whitman residence.

As he had expected, the usually quiet driveway was swarming with people. Aaron had shown up with the entire Ford family and a bunch of their cronies, blocking the front gates and forcing their car to stop.

Leon rolled down the window, turned his head, and stared lazily at the crowd. His eyes locked onto Aaron as he spoke with that usual carefree drawl. “Well, well, well, look who it is, Mrs. Ford Senior and Mr. Ford themselves. What brings such distinguished guests to my humble home?”

Seeing Leon still playing dumb sent Aaron into a rage. He clenched his jaw and barked, “Hand over Nora! Leon, if you don’t, I swear this isn’t over!”

Leon looked far too amused by Aaron’s fury, the smirk on his lips only growing bolder.

“Mr. Ford, haven’t we always been at each other’s throats? When have we ever been done with each other? If you want to fight, go for it. I’m always ready. But as for Nora? She’s Mrs. Whitman now, so I’d advise you to keep your distance.

“Mrs. Whitman? What the hell are you talking about?”

The people standing behind Aaron all exchanged confused glances, and even Aaron was thrown off.

“She’s my fiancée! Since when did she become your wife? What is this, Leon-did crashing the wedding go to your head?”

Aaron’s face was red with disbelief, and that only made Leon feel even more triumphant. Without a word, he pulled out their freshly issued marriage certificate and held it up like a trophy through the open window, showing off the photo.

“Now, Mr. Ford, don’t go accusing me of nonsense. Nora and I are legally married. And since you’re all here, why don’t you take a look at our beautiful marriage certificate? Hot off the press.”

The crowd surged forward, craning their necks to see. But what caught their attention even more than their smiling faces in the photo was the bold government seal at the bottom of the page.

After double and triple-checking, even Aaron’s crew looked visibly shaken. “Aaron, this marriage certificate looks real…

Aaron’s face drained of color in an instant. He lunged forward and snatched the certificate out of Leon’s hand, going through it again and again in disbelief.

He couldn’t process it. His mind shut down, and anger took over. In a flash, he tore the certificate into shreds and let the pieces scatter in the breeze.

Leon watched the scraps flutter through the air with mock regret, then turned to Eleanor with exaggerated concern. Darling, he just shredded our marriage certificate. What should we do?”

A calm voice sounded from the passenger seat. “Didn’t we get two copies?”

Leon’s face lit up like he just had an epiphany. With a grin, he pulled out the second marriage certificate and held it up proudly inside the car. “Now, can everyone stop questioning whether Nora and I are married? This is between us, husband and wife, none of you outsiders have any say.”

His words hit like a punch to the gut. Everyone standing there suddenly recalled last night and the way Leon had smiled like he was ten steps ahead. Finally, they understood that this wedding crash wasn’t spontaneous -it had been planned all along.

The blow hit Aaron harder than Nora leaving him at the altar. He stared into the car, trying to catch a glimpse of her face through the tinted windows, but all he could see was the curve of her slender neck. Then, the realization slammed into him, and the pain rushed in all at once.

“You planned this, didn’t you, Eleanor? You were planning to run away the whole time!”

Her voice came out steady and clear, not a flicker of guilt on her face. “Yes. I planned it from the beginning.”

Leon beamed and added casually, “We actually talked it through while you were at the OB/GYN appointment. Remember that day? You picked her up afterward, and she threw away a trench coat- ring any bells?”

Chapter 12

That had been over two months ago. So, all this time-way before the wedding-Eleanor had already made up her mind to leave. The realization hit Aaron like a knife to the chest, and the crushing pain made it hard for him to stay on his feet.

He asked, “Why? Why would you do this to me? Why didn’t you tell me anything?”

But instead of backing down, Eleanor finally let out everything she had buried inside. “And what about you? Why did you treat me the way you did?

“Did you think I’d know nothing just because I was overseas? You paraded Alina around like she belonged next to you. What, did you think I was too naive to notice? You cared about her so much, liked her so much. Why didn’t you just break up with me?

“Why did you keep me around while you were off with someone else? You cheated first. Her baby’s five months along, and you’re mad I ran away from the wedding? What right do you have to question me?”,

Each word struck like a hammer, loud and sharp, silencing everyone around them.

Aaron had never thought she had known this whole time. Guilt, panic, and regret surged up and drowned him all at once. He scrambled to the car window, stammering like a man unraveling.

“No! Nora, let me explain, I…-I didn’t know she was pregnant. She only found out during a company checkup.

Grandma knew before I did, and it was her idea to keep the baby, not mine. I just-“

Even now, he was trying to pin the blame on everyone but himself. Eleanor had finally had enough. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and cut him off cold.

“Right. It’s always someone else’s fault. The three canceled projects with Mr. Powell, the 13 people laid off from the marketing department, that 300-million-dollar bid at the auction, the kiss in the hallway, the umbrella you held over her in the rain, the alcohol you handed me instead of her… None of that had anything to do with you, right?”

Aaron was rendered speechless. He just stood there in a daze, eyes blank and completely lost.

Off to the side, Margaret stepped in, unable to watch her grandson fall apart. She rushed forward protectively, her voice sharp and loaded with blame.

She snapped, “Eleanor, you know how much Aaron loved you all these years! He wanted to marry you two years ago, but you kept rejecting him to chase your dancing career!

“When he tried to propose, you ran off to another country. He got drunk and made a mistake with Lina, and now you’re blaming him for everything? He’s felt guilty this whole time!

“He wouldn’t even acknowledge the child because he was afraid of losing you! He’s always loved you deeply! And yet you ran away at the wedding and humiliated the Fords in front of everyone! Don’t you feel even a little ashamed?”

Leon’s expression turned ice-cold. “Nora was only 21 two years ago. She had a dream to chase; how is that a crime? Sure, the Fords are one of the most powerful families in Drakemont, but marrying into your family isn’t exactly a step up for her. So what if she rejected a few proposals?

“If Aaron couldn’t keep it in his pants, that’s his fault. Don’t go blaming Nora. What, you think she poured the alcohol down your precious grandson’s throat?

“He’s expecting a child with another woman, yet he still proposed to Nora. That’s not love, that’s deception. A wedding built on lies and manipulation deserves to be crashed. And she did the right thing by running. What are you gonna do about it?”

His words landed like a slap, and Margaret’s face darkened with fury. She pointed a trembling finger at him, sputtering, “Y-Y-You-“

However, she couldn’t come up with a single word to argue back.

Leon let out a cold chuckle, then gave both of them a sharp glance before closing the window. He stepped on the gas, and the sudden roar of the engine sent everyone scrambling to get out of the way.

The car shot past the gates and into the driveway. With a metallic clang, the iron gates slammed shut behind them.

Leon tossed the keys to his butler, Carl Reynolds, and told him to get someone to clean up the mess outside. Then, he walked around to Eleanor’s side, opened the door, and, under the furious stares still burning holes into them from behind, took her hand and led her straight into the house.

Chapter 13

The villa was quiet-so quiet it felt like no one was home at all.

Eleanor had spent the whole ride mentally preparing herself to meet Leon’s grandmother, Gracie Turner. Yet, to her surprise, the villa was completely empty.

“Where’s Mrs. Whitman Senior?” she asked, a little confused.

Leon pulled her over to the couch, gave her a playful wink, and responded with a light tone. “She went to pick up a few very important guests. She’ll be back soon.”

Eleanor was puzzled. She wondered who the guests were. After all, Gracie was supposed to be in poor health. What was she doing, going out to meet people?

Eleanor had so many questions, but it didn’t feel right to push. Meanwhile, Leon disappeared into the kitchen for a bit. When he returned, he led her over to the dining table.

Eleanor’s mouth watered instantly when she saw the table full of pastries and cakes. However, with her upcoming ballet production, she had to stay disciplined about her weight, so she could only sit there and swallow her cravings.

Noticing she hadn’t touched anything, Leon gently placed a slice of cake in front of her.

He coaxed her in a soft voice. “I had all of this made by a professional nutritionist. The calories are low, and the sweetness is balanced. You’ve had a long day, so you should at least have a bite. And if you really gain a little weight, I’ll diet with you, okay?”

That gentle persuasion worked like a charm on a very hungry Eleanor. After hesitating for a moment, she gave in to her instincts, scooped up a small bite, and tried it-it really did taste amazing.

Seeing her smile again finally eased the tension in Leon’s chest. He added a few more treats to her plate and patiently described each ingredient so she could feel safe indulging a little.

Before she realized it, she had eaten nearly everything on her plate. She had a few sips of fruit juice, then stood up abruptly and announced she needed to work out.

Leon could only laugh, both impressed and exasperated by her discipline, and he accompanied her for a walk in the garden.

They strolled slowly through the yard. As the sunset turned the sky a soft golden orange, Eleanor suddenly asked, “Did you know about Aaron and Alina?”

Leon raised an eyebrow, his tone slipping back into that familiar, cocky drawl. “Aaron and I are sworn enemies. You think I wouldn’t know about a scandal like that?”

Thinking about how the two of them threw shade at each other every time they met, Eleanor found it easy to believe. She asked, “So when did you find out?”

“The night it happened,” Leon said with a shrug. “They were staying at a hotel my friend owns. I heard about it that same night. I had someone keep an eye on Alina, and when she bought a pregnancy test, I figured it out right away.”

Eleanor was shocked at how early on Leon had known about the matter.

Leon caught the surprised look on her face and pursed his lips slightly, his voice a little more strained. “What are you thinking? That I was holding out on you and should’ve told you sooner?”

Eleanor shook her head and calmly replied, “We barely knew each other back then. It would’ve been weird if you’d told me. I was just wondering what kind of person Alina is really in all of this.”

Her curiosity rubbed Leon the wrong way, and his mood soured instantly. His voice lost its patience as he answered, “She has some sense of morality… but not much. Yeah, Aaron was the one who messed up that night, but she’s a grown woman.

“She didn’t take any precautions and then acted shocked when she ended up pregnant. And she still went to that company health screening, knowing it could expose everything. Doesn’t sound like someone innocent to me.

“The Fords offered her money in exchange for the baby, and she agreed. I mean, it’s her own kid. That tells you what kind of person she is.

“And don’t even get me started on how she knew about you, yet still tangled herself up with Aaron. If you ask me, she’s either stupid or just plain rotten.”

Chapter 14

Thanks to Leon’s blunt take, something finally clicked for Eleanor. Before this, every time she had interacted with Alina, the woman had always seemed timid, soft-spoken, and helpless, so much so that Eleanor had honestly believed she was innocent.

But just like Leon had said, if Alina were really as kind and harmless as she appeared, none of this chaos would have ever happened in the first place.

If Aaron was responsible for 70% of the mess, then Alina easily carried 20% of the blame. The remaining ten? Eleanor was willing to own that-after all, she had been the one who bailed on the wedding.

Leon noticed the sudden clarity on her face and waved his hand in front of her eyes, clearly fishing for attention.

When she blinked at him in surprise, he cleared his throat and threw out a teasing question. “You married me, yet you’re still so invested in your ex’s drama. Are you actually not over him?”

For some reason, Eleanor caught a faint trace of jealousy in that comment. Nevertheless, she quickly brushed the thought aside.

After all, their marriage was more of a deal than anything else, and it hadn’t even been 24 hours- there was no way he actually had feelings for her, let alone enough to be jealous.

While she mulled it over in her head, she offered him a simple explanation.”It’s not that, I was just thinking… If Alina was acting this whole time, then I have to admit, she’s pretty damn convincing.

“But if she wasn’t acting, then I guess the universe was looking out for me-letting me see Aaron for who he really was before I walked straight into hell.”

Her tone was matter-of-fact, almost emotionless, and that alone was enough to soothe whatever sting Leon might’ve felt earlier. He grinned again, clearly back to his usual self.

“Marrying Aaron would’ve been a straight dive into the fire pit. So what’s marrying me considered?”

Eleanor looked up at him and stared for a moment before replying with a smirk. “Didn’t Mrs. Whitman Senior already say it? I’m basically doing society a favor.”

Leon wasn’t having it. His expression turned mock-offended as he began ticking things off on his fingers. “I’m only one year older than you and already run Whitman Corporation. That makes me young and accomplished.

“I’m easy on the eyes, and every family in our social circle wants me as their son-in-law. I’m pretty sure that makes me a hot commodity on the dating market.

“Despite all that, I’ve kept a clean reputation, not a single scandal in over 20 years. I’m funny, charming, and actually have a decent personality. And that’s not enough for you?”

His earnest delivery cracked Eleanor up. She started ticking off her own list, matching his tone. “You’re the head of a corporation, so you’re swamped with work. Meanwhile, I’m flying all over the world for performances, so we’d barely see each other.

“You’re good-looking, which means every woman out there wants a piece of you. That’s not exactly a comforting thought for a wife. And sure, you’ve never had a scandal – but people say you’re not into women at all. What am I supposed to do, keep you around as living decor?”

Her arguments were so well delivered that Leon didn’t even know how to respond. However, the last line got him.

A smile tugged at his lips, and he slipped an arm around her waist. “Worried you married a trophy husband? What’s this -day one of marriage, and my wife’s already catching feelings?”

The warmth of his hand sent a wave of heat up her spine. The air between them shifted, growing more charged.

Eleanor turned her face away, clearly flustered, mumbling under her breath, “Mrs. Whitman Senior really wasn’t wrong. Taking you in might’ve been my greatest sacrifice.”

Just then, Carl came rushing up behind them, his voice brimming with excitement. “Sir, madam, Mrs. Whitman Senior just arrived with Mr. and Mrs. Whitman. She’s asking for you both in the living room!”

Eleanor’s eyes widened as she turned to Leon in silent shock, clearly demanding an explanation with just her stare. However, he only chuckled and nudged her toward the house.

“We’re married, aren’t we? Of course, I had to report something this important to my parents. So, what do you think? Pretty thoughtful of your husband, right?”

Chapter 15

After Alina collapsed at the wedding, the Fords had her rushed to the hospital. The doctors diagnosed signs of a threatened miscarriage, brought on by stress and emotional strain.

Thankfully, they got there in time, and the baby was still stable, but Alina had to rest and stay calm.

Even so, lying in bed while watching the gloomy sky outside the window, Alina couldn’t pull herself out of the spiral. That wedding had once been something she had struggled to accept, but now it was a wound she couldn’t bear to look back on.

Alina truly did love Aaron, but deep down, she had always known there was an impossible gap between them. The only woman he had ever really loved was Eleanor-and Alina had only entered his life because of one accident.

That accident had flared up like a falling star-brilliant and quick-but destined to burn out. Once she gave birth to this child, she would disappear from Aaron’s world for good. That much, she knew for sure.

But even though she knew that, she still couldn’t stop herself from sinking, getting swept up in how his eyes had once looked at her, soft and warm.

As for Eleanor, guilt had always lingered in Alina’s heart. If not for her, Eleanor probably would have had the perfect wedding, the perfect husband, and a future full of peace and happiness.

Every time they crossed paths, Alina would instinctively lower her head, too ashamed to meet Eleanor’s eyes. But still, she had sensed that Eleanor had likely figured something out.

That shame and guilt of wrecking someone else’s relationship never stopped haunting her.

And if she was honest, when she saw Eleanor run out of the wedding, she had felt a flicker of relief, maybe even a sliver of hope.

After all, that meant there might be another chance. However, when Eleanor announced the pregnancy in front of everyone, Alina felt like her sin had been dragged out into the daylight, exposing her for what she really was.

All the dark, heavy emotions she had stuffed down had exploded at once, and she had fainted right then and there. As a result, the baby was at risk, and her already unstable emotions were even harder to control.

That evening, Margaret showed up. She noticed Alina had barely touched the dinner the nurse brought in and scolded Alina immediately.

“Lina, you’re carrying a child. You can’t just pick at your food like this. How is the baby supposed to get proper nutrition?”

The sharp tone sent a wave of anxiety through Alina. Even without an appetite, she quickly picked up the spoon and forced herself to eat a little more.

Margaret finally nodded, but she still reached for the chart at the bedside. Her expression tightened the more she read.

Alina noticed it and felt a nervous knot forming in her chest. Margaret had always been polite with her, even kind, but she also knew that kindness was never truly about her- it was about the baby.

With the pregnancy unstable, Margaret had every reason to hold her accountable. Just as Alina feared, Margaret soon launched into a lecture.

Maybe it was the chaos from earlier still sitting heavy on her chest, but this time, her tone was far from gentle. The words hit hard and fast.

Alina was already afraid of her, so now the tears welled up quickly. The moment Aaron stepped into the room, she looked at him like he was her lifeline. Yet, the second she saw the devastation on his face, she froze.

In all the time she had known him, she had never seen him like that – haunted, wrecked, completely unrecognizable.

Her voice came out soft, tinged with concern, as she asked, “Mr. Ford, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?”

However, Aaron didn’t respond to her worry. Instead, he walked straight to the bed, his eyes locked on her belly, and his voice rang out with grim determination. “I want this baby gone.”

The entire room froze. Both women stared at him, stunned.

Alina looked absolutely shattered, while Margaret stormed up to them with barely contained fury.

She snapped, “As long as I’m still breathing, don’t even think about it! That child carries the Ford family’s blood!”

Chapter 16

Neither Aaron nor Margaret was willing to back down. The tension in the room was suffocating.

Aaron’s fists clenched tight, his eyes wild with frustration.” This is my child. You have no right to interfere with my decision!”

Margaret was so enraged by his words her heart nearly gave out. She slammed her palm against the side table and snapped, “I don’t have the right? Lina does! That baby is in her body, she’s the mother, and the decision should be hers!”

With that, the pressure shifted squarely onto Alina, who was already trembling in the corner. She sat with her head down, fingers twisting the hem of her gown as their stares bore into her.

She knew this child was the last thread tethering her to Aaron – her one and only chance to remain in his life. So, she couldn’t lose it.

But the truth was, the decision had never really been hers to make.

Margaret did not know about the agreement she had signed with Aaron months ago, but Alina remembered every line of it-every cold, cruel clause.

That contract was why she had followed his every instruction without complaint, afraid that one misstep would send her packing. And now, hearing him say he wanted the baby gone, her fragile world was shattered into complete darkness.

Deep down, she had a sick feeling she already knew why.

Even so, she still clung to a desperate hope, so she lifted her head and asked, voice barely steady, “Why, Mr. Ford? I want a reason. Why do you want to terminate the pregnancy?”

Margaret had expected Alina to side with her, so when she asked that question, the older woman’s face turned icy. There is no good reason! This child is staying. That’s final!” Aaron knew how stubborn Margaret could be, especially when it came to this baby. Nonetheless, he had made up his mind, and he didn’t plan to argue any further.

Instead, he turned to Alina and spoke, his tone a touch softer this time, but just as cold. “This baby can’t exist in the same world as Nora. I chose Nora. I’m sorry.”

Hearing those words after everything that had happened that afternoon, Margaret nearly lost it. She launched into another tirade, her voice shaking with rage.

Alina felt like she had been dropped into an ice bath. Her limbs went numb, her breath caught, and all the color drained from her face. She slid back against the pillows, completely lifeless, as tears spilled down her cheeks.

The argument between grandmother and grandson exploded into full-blown chaos, their shouting echoing off the walls. Neither would give in, and the clash only grew louder and more vicious.

Aaron, now fed up, called for a doctor and began asking about the procedure. Margaret was so furious, she collapsed right then and there.

The room fell into utter chaos, and yet, Alina didn’t move- didn’t even flinch. She stared out the window with vacant eyes, her mind blank, except for one phrase that kept echoing on repeat.

“I choose Nora.”

She had always known Aaron might make this choice. She had played that scene in her head more than once, but when it actually happened, the reality was unbearable.

When Margaret eventually regained consciousness and told her the child could stay, Alina broke down in uncontrollable sobs. Aaron, now hollowed out from the emotional storm, stood in silence.

Hearing her cries only made his rage boil over again, and he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. But once he got into his car and looked at the empty passenger seat beside him, surrounded by nothing but darkness, something inside him cracked.

He sat there, staring into the void of the night, feeling like a forgotten island lost in the middle of the sea. The one light that had always guided him-his only beacon-had finally gone out.

And now, he was completely adrift.

Chapter 17

A late-night call disturbed Eleanor’s sweet dream.

Exhausted, she couldn’t even bring herself to open her eyes. She reached out and patted around on the nightstand for her phone before instinctively pressing the answer button.

Aaron’s voice came through. He sounded drunk as he choked on his words. “Nora, where are you? Why aren’t you coming home yet? Are you abandoning me?”

In her drowsy state, Eleanor couldn’t make out exactly what he was saying. However, Leon, who was lying beside her, heard every word.

Under the dim lights, he looked at Eleanor, who was still half-asleep. He slowly took her phone and walked out to the balcony. Then, he stared at the caller ID on the screen for a moment before slowly speaking up.

“How much have you had to drink, Mr. Ford? How did you end up calling my wife? Shouldn’t you be contacting Ms. Spencer instead?”

Aaron sobered up almost instantly when he heard Leon’s voice. He seemed to regain his clarity momentarily.

“How dare you answer Nora’s phone?”

Leon’s mood immediately improved when he heard the anger in Aaron’s voice. His tone was tinged with amusement when he answered, “Because I’m her husband. As for you, Mr. Ford, don’t you think it’s inappropriate for you to be calling my wife and disrupting our sweet dreams in the middle of the night?”

That response alone was enough to infuriate Aaron so much that he cut off the call on the spot.

Leon smiled when he heard the disconnected tone. Tapping on Aaron’s contact, he changed the caller ID to “Mr. Ford”. Then, he scrolled up, found his name, and changed the caller ID to “Sweetheart”.

He finally switched off the phone in satisfaction and returned to the bedroom after updating the names across all of Eleanor’s social apps.

Eleanor was still fast asleep. Leon put down the phone and returned to bed, pulling her into his arms before finally closing his eyes.

At noon the next day, Eleanor, who had slept for over ten hours, received a text message from Clara upon waking up. “Aaron got into a drunk driving accident last night and was injured. Do you know about that?”

Eleanor, of course, knew nothing of the sort. But she

vaguely remembered picking up a call in the middle of the night, so she checked the call log on her phone. It showed that the call had lasted three minutes, but she had no recollection of it at all.

The call log also indicated that the call had come in at around 3:00 am. Eleanor couldn’t help wondering if Aaron had called her for help after running into the accident. If he had, then hadn’t she been a little cruel?

At the thought of that, she felt a pang of guilt. She hurriedly washed up and went downstairs.

Leon was up early and was making himself busy in the kitchen. When he saw Eleanor coming down, he quickly went up to her to ask her what she’d like for breakfast.

After a moment’s hesitation, Eleanor decided to ask him, Do you remember hearing my phone ringing last night?”

The smile on Leon’s face froze when he heard that. “I do. I was the one who answered the call.”

Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked what he had said.

Leon’s mood instantly soured when he saw how anxious Eleanor was. His tone was laced with jealousy. “You’re so concerned about him. Perhaps I was wrong to interfere and crash your wedding.”

Eleanor didn’t understand why he was being sarcastic and bringing that up again. Still, she patiently explained, ” Someone just told me he got into a car accident yesterday. I’m worried that it was a call for help. I’m just asking because I feel a little guilty.”

So it was just her sympathy acting up. Leon’s expression thawed at that.

“He was just drunk and trying to harass you. I told him off, and then he ended the call. The accident happened at around 6:00 am. It has got nothing to do with us.”

Eleanor’s guilt finally dissipated, and she sat down to have some breakfast.

Monitoring her expression, Leon noticed that she looked calm. However, he couldn’t resist probing. “Do you want to go visit him at the hospital? I heard that he’s quite severely injured.”

His heart began thumping the moment he asked the question, and it wasn’t until he heard her indifferent reply that a smile graced his features again.

“He’s not dead yet. There’s no need for that.”

Reaching out for the coffee beside her, Eleanor caught sight of him sniggering to himself.

She couldn’t help questioning curiously, “Are you that happy that he got into an accident?”

Mimicking her earlier tone, Leon answered, “He’s not dead yet. Why shouldn’t I be happy?”

Chapter 18

In the two weeks that Aaron was hospitalized, Eleanor didn’t send him a single message to show her concern. He was on the verge of breaking down as he stared at the hundreds of messages he had sent her, messages she never even bothered to reply to.

Alina, who stood beside him, had a bowl of nourishing soup in her hands. She wanted to pass the bowl to him, but she dared not speak up.

Ever since the wedding, Aaron had gone back to his initial indifference toward her. No matter what she said or how she tried to engage him in conversation, he would ignore her. He seemed lost in his own world, sinking deeper into despair and wasting his life away.

Margaret had initially come by and tried to persuade him, but after receiving the cold shoulder several times, she didn’t bother dropping by anymore. Aaron’s secretaries and assistants from the company had also been ordered to take some time off, so none of them set foot in the hospital.

This meant Alina was the only one-besides the doctors and nurses who frequented the room to take care of his daily needs.

The suffocating atmosphere in the room weighed on her like a dark cloud, making her feel just as gloomy.

On the day of Aaron’s birthday, Margaret didn’t drop by to visit him. Instead, she had someone send a birthday cake over. Alina was very much at ease when she wheeled the cake into the room.

Aaron, who hadn’t spoken a word in more than ten days, lifted his head and finally asked, “Who sent this?”

“I-It was Mrs. Ford Senior.”

The faint hope that ignited within him was instantly extinguished. His brows furrowed deeply as nothing but pure disgust filled his bloodshot eyes.

“Throw it out! I don’t want to see it!”

Alina was unable to fathom why Aaron and Margaret’s relationship had deteriorated to such an extent. But she was greatly indebted to Margaret, so she couldn’t help speaking up on her behalf.

Aaron, however, was having none of that. Instead, he grew increasingly agitated. He picked a glass up and threw it at the cake, sending it crashing to the ground.

Cream from the cake splattered on Alina’s legs and slid down. Startled by his actions, she barely managed to steady herself by holding onto the table.

Aaron showed no remorse or concern. Instead, his voice was cold as he ordered her to leave.

The emotions Alina had kept bottled up within her finally escaped her. With tears flowing down her face, she walked up to him. Her voice was filled with sorrow when she spoke.

“If you need someone to blame, blame me. But can you please stop taking it out on Mrs. Ford Senior? She’s up in years and facing health issues. She can’t take such stress.”

In the past, Aaron would have softened the moment he saw her cry. But now, no matter how pitifully she wept, he remained unmoved, his gaze icy as he looked at her.

“Do you think that just because you have her backing you up, you’ll be able to use this child to make me marry you? Quit dreaming! I won’t ever marry anyone besides Eleanor!”

Every word of his cut deeper than the shattered glass on the floor, leaving Alina’s heart in tatters.

She shook her head frantically, sobbing so hard, she could barely breathe. “I-I just wanted to stay by your side. I never wanted a title…”

Not wanting to hear her sobs anymore, Aaron yanked out the IV needle from his hand and stormed out of the room.

As Alina was worried about him, she hurried after him. The two of them reached the stairwell, where she grabbed his hand, pleading desperately.

“You’re not well yet. Please go back and rest. I’m begging you.”

Aaron didn’t even hesitate as he shook her off forcefully.

Thrown off balance, Alina lost her footing and tumbled down the stairs. A scream escaped her as she rolled down, terror-stricken. She tried desperately to shield her stomach, yet blood still flowed down her legs.

Excruciating pain tore through her abdomen as if she were being ripped apart. One sole thought remained in her mind: she needed to save the baby.

Reaching out a blood-stained hand toward Aaron, who was on the steps, she cried out a silent plea, begging him to save their child.

Chapter 19

A look of panic flashed across Aaron’s face when he saw Alina fall. He instinctively took a few steps down the stairs toward her. But when he heard her cry for help, he stopped.

That was their child. If Alina had a miscarriage, wouldn’t that mean he’d finally be able to cut all ties with her? He’d be able to get Margaret off his back, too.

And if that happened, the only obstacle between him and Eleanor would be cleared. Wouldn’t that mean he’d be able to win her back then? The thought took root in his mind and instantly spread like wildfire.

He lowered his gaze, simply watching as Alina struggled in a pool of blood. Though a hint of his internal conflict flashed in his eyes, he remained motionless.

Dark blood gradually seeped down the stairs. As time went on, Alina’s struggles grew weaker, and her cries faded into silence.

Holding onto the handrail, Aaron walked over to her and carefully avoided the blood as he crouched down, staring at her intently. Her eyes were closed, and her lashes trembled ever so slightly. A mix of blood and tears streaked down her face, giving her a pitiful yet horrifying look.

Aaron should have been ecstatic now that he had achieved his goal. But somehow, seeing her in such a state caused his heart to ache.

The ache, however, was faint and fleeting, far overshadowed by the despair Eleanor had left him with when she ditched him at their wedding.

So, after a long silence, just before she completely lost consciousness, he told her, “You’ve lost the baby, so the agreement is terminated. But I’ll give you double the compensation.

“All you need to do is promise me that you’ll never set foot in Drakemont ever again. Don’t ever show your face in Eleanor’s or my presence.”

It wasn’t until he reached the first floor that Aaron finally called a doctor to tell him about Alina’s condition and where she was.

Then, he ended the call, hailed a cab by the road, and gave the driver the address to the Whitman residence. His heart raced all the way there, and the bloody scene he had witnessed before leaving replayed endlessly in his mind.

When the cab finally pulled up at the Whitman residence, the doctor contacted Aaron to tell him that they had failed to save the baby.

A surge of conflicting emotions crashed over him. He didn’t know what exactly he was feeling as he swung the car door open in a daze.

Just as he stepped out of the car, the villa’s door opened. Leon was in a wheelchair, complaining to Eleanor behind him about how much his ankle hurt.

Eleanor frowned, constantly glancing toward the garage. The chauffeur wasn’t there yet, and for some reason, Leon suddenly grabbed her hand.

Just as she was about to turn around to ask him what he wanted, she caught sight of Aaron standing by the door.

After more than half a month apart, he seemed to be nothing more than skin and bones now. His eyes were sunken, and he was still in his hospital gown, looking exhausted and frail.

The moment his gaze met hers, he walked up to her and asked with a quiver in his voice, “Nora, can we… Can we talk please?”

Before Eleanor could answer him, Leon, who was still seated in a wheelchair, groaned, “If we don’t get to the hospital now, you’re going to end up with a crippled husband!”

He gritted his teeth and put extra emphasis on the word ” husband” as he tightened his grip on Eleanor’s arm, pulling her behind him.

The sound of a car horn came from behind. Eleanor looked down at Leon’s sprained ankle, then raised her gaze to Aaron. She replied in an indifferent tone, “I’m sorry, I need to take him to the hospital. Maybe next time.

Leon’s expression brightened up when he heard that, but still, he muttered, “How could you refer to me as ‘him’? I’m your husband! I sprained my ankle for you, and you won’t even address me as your husband? How heartless!”

His constant complaints annoyed Eleanor so much that she gave him a pinch. Looking at the bickering couple, Aaron felt a chill come over him.

The chauffeur brought the car over and helped Leon into the car.

Aaron could no longer hold back when he saw that they were about to leave. He grabbed Eleanor’s hand and begged in a pleading tone, “Five minutes. I just need five minutes with you. Can we please talk?”

The moment he reached out, Leon, who had just settled into the car, immediately leaned out of the car to grip Aaron’s arm in a death grip. His voice was menacing and cold.

“Let go of her!”

“How dare you order me around?”

“That’s my wife you’ve got your hands on! Let go!”

Chapter 20

Seeing that Aaron and Leon were about to start arguing again, Eleanor felt a headache coming on. She lifted her free hand and slapped it over Leon’s mouth.

“That’s enough!”

The annoyance in her tone made the two men hold their tongues.

Shaking Aaron’s hand off of hers, she pushed Leon back into his seat. Her tone left him no room for discussion. “I need you to sit here for five minutes. No talking, and no moving around!”

Seeing the expression on her face, Leon dared not talk back to her. Instead, he blinked rapidly to show that he heard her.

Only then did Eleanor let go of him, close the car door, and walk about ten yards away. Aaron hurriedly followed after her.

When Eleanor turned back around and saw the desperate look in Aaron’s eyes, she heaved a silent sigh. “What is it? Spill.”

Aaron stood beside her, looking uneasy. When he heard what she said, he looked up at her with a complex expression on his face.

After a brief moment of silence, he drew in a deep breath before pouring out the words he had kept inside.

“Things are completely over between Alina and me. She miscarried the child, and she won’t ever appear before us again. You know it, Nora, I only have you in my heart. Can’t you give me another chance?”

A flicker of surprise flashed in Eleanor’s eyes at his words. ” What happened? How did she lose the child?”

However, Aaron was only focused on winning her back, so he went on speaking his mind. “You’re irreplaceable to me. I know how much you’re bothered by the child, so I made it disappear. Nora, I’ll get rid of everything you dislike. Will you please forgive me?”

He got incredibly worked up when he said those words, as though he had done something commendable and was seeking praise.

Eleanor was so startled by his frenzied state that she reflexively took a few steps backward.

“That’s your own flesh and blood. How could you bring yourself to do that? Alina is so in love with you. How could she possibly agree to get an abortion?”

Seeing the flicker of fear in her eyes, Aaron panicked, afraid she would misunderstand. He hurriedly explained, “No, that’s not it. I didn’t kill the baby. She was the one who fell down the stairs and miscarried. Nora, it was an accident! I had nothing to do with it!”

Aaron was so anxious while explaining that the muscles on his face twitched uncontrollably, and his eyes darted around wildly.

Eleanor’s instincts told her that things weren’t as simple as he made them out to be.

Just then, Leon called out in protest from behind them to remind her that their time was up. So Eleanor could only cut things short. She just asked the more important questions.

“When did the miscarriage happen? She doesn’t have any friends or family around her. Why aren’t you with her?”

Aaron fixed his gaze on her intently. His mind was filled only with thoughts of getting back together with her.

“It was about an hour ago. I called someone to go save her, and I even gave her a lot of money. She’ll be fine. I just thought that I should come and tell you the news earlier.

“All the obstacles keeping us away from each other are out of the way, Nora. Can’t we go back to how things were in the past? Can’t we just pretend that nothing ever happened?

Eleanor had never expected him to say such things. That was a human life-yet, in his eyes, it was nothing more than an obstacle.

Though he didn’t look much different from before, Eleanor couldn’t help feeling like a stranger was standing before her.

She lowered her gaze and turned around. “There’s no turning back. Let’s not make things ugly between us. Don’t come looking for me anymore. I’m married now, and I’ll be starting a new life.”

Her words, sharp as a blade, stabbed right into Aaron’s heart. He jerked violently as a look of dark despair filled his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse and anguished.

“Why? Tell me why!”

“Things should have ended between us long ago. It should have all ended the night I left for Elthania. I told you I can’t accept anything tainted. Let’s just end things here once and for all, Aaron.”

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