Take This Withered Love

After Elena Jennings is reborn, she realizes that she has gone back in time to the year when she's still 27 years old. At the moment, she has one son and one daughter, and her husband is Lucas Fischer, the richest man in the world. Lucas has maintained his top spot steadily on the world's ranking for the richest people. He's also the ultimate dream man, crowned by magazines as the man women all over the globe want to marry the most. Even the royal family of Evgolia wishes to marry their princess to this very man. Everyone keeps claiming that Elena is extremely lucky to have married Lucas. But the first thing she does is seek out Lucas' first love, Sabrina Miller, with a divorce agreement in hand. As she pushes the divorce agreement toward Sabrina, she states calmly. "I want to get a divorce. Lucas and the children are all yours." Chapter 1 Sabrina Miller stared at Elena Jennings in shock. She couldn't believe that the woman who'd held the title of Mrs. Fischer for six years would suddenly offer to step aside. Elena's tone was flat when she added, "Since everyone prefers you, I'll make it easy. Just have Lucas sign the papers. Once the divorce is finalized, I'll leave." This time, she wasn't going to repeat the same mistake. She wasn't going to keep being the Mrs. Fischer everyone overlooked. Sabrina traced the rim of her cup with her fingertip as her brows drew together. "Elena, what exactly are you trying to pull?" Watching the shifting emotions play out on Sabrina's face, Elena calmly replied, "I'm not trying to pull anything. I'm just done." "Do you have any idea how many women out there covet your position?" Elena held her gaze without blinking. "I do. That's why I'm giving it to you." Sabrina's expression faltered. She studied the agreement for a long moment before finally reaching for it. "Well, if you're giving it away, I'm not going to say no. Just don't forget that once something is mine, I don't give it back." "Don't worry," Elena said with a faint smile. "I won't regret it." After all, she'd already had a lifetime to learn what it meant to be utterly alone. Sabrina rose and moved to another table in the cafe. She lifted her phone and tapped the screen. When the call connected, her voice softened instantly. "Lucas, I'm at Azure Cafe. Can you come pick me up?" Elena remained seated where she was, a bitter smile curling on her lips. There was a time when she used to call Lucas Fischer, her husband. His assistant, Jason Myers, answered nine out of ten times. Now, less than 20 minutes later, Lucas, who was always "in a meeting", walked through the door. Through the glass, Elena watched him stride inside. His black tailored suit emphasized his broad shoulders and lean waist. Their six-year-old son, Benjamin Fischer, and four-year-old daughter, Charlotte Fischer, saw Sabrina first. They ran to her without hesitation, wrapping their arms around her and kissing her cheeks. "Ms. Miller!" Charlotte called sweetly, nuzzling her face against Sabrina's chest. Lucas set a cake box down on the table and slid it toward Sabrina. "It's chocolate-flavored. I told the chef to cut back on the sugar." Sabrina's eyes lit up. "You still remember." Elena sat in the corner, her fingers digging into her palm. After six years of marriage, Lucas didn't even know what flavor she liked. In her previous life, when she was hospitalized and craving strawberry cake, he told Jason to buy something. The cake that arrived was mango, the one flavor she was allergic to. "What do you feel like tonight?" Lucas asked, his voice low and resonant. "Faldorian cuisine or Corvian cuisine?" Sabrina smiled and took the divorce agreement from her bag. "Before that, there's something I'd like you to look at." She flipped it to the signature page. "I've been looking at a mansion, but I'm short on liquid funds. Would you mind—" Lucas took the pen and signed without reading the contents. "There's no need to be so formal with me." "Ms. Miller, are you buying a new house?" Benjamin asked, tilting his head up. "Dad, you should buy one next door. Charlotte and I want to move in with you. We don't want to stay with Mom every day." Lucas' brow furrowed briefly, but when he saw the anticipation in their eyes, he relented. "Alright. We'll do that." "There's no need to go through all that trouble," Sabrina said quickly. "I'll have three rooms ready for Benjamin, Charlotte, and… you. You can stay over whenever you want." The children cheered. Charlotte threw her arms around Sabrina's neck and kissed her. "Ms. Miller, you're the best. You're a thousand times better than Mom!" Elena felt her heart break. The pain was so sharp that it nearly knocked the breath out of her. She noticed the faint curve of Lucas' lips. It was a tenderness he'd never shown her. She couldn't watch any longer. Picking up her bag, she turned and walked out. The moment she stepped outside, memories from her previous life surfaced. In that life, she and Lucas had a marriage of convenience. She gave birth to a son and a daughter. She lived to 62, but she was never happy. That was because Lucas had always had Sabrina in his heart. She was his first love. After they broke up years ago, Sabrina went abroad. Lucas drank for a few days, but his pride kept him from chasing her. He agreed to the arranged marriage instead. Lucas had been Elena's dream when she was young. He was distant and untouchable. Among the socialites of Jeston's high society, who hadn't dreamed of marrying the head of Fischer Group? When she learned their families had arranged the match, she was overjoyed. But after the wedding, no matter how much she gave, she only received distance and indifference. That was until Sabrina's return. Lucas never mentioned divorce, but his eyes rarely left Sabrina. Worse, the children grew closer to Sabrina and further from Elena. In her later years, Elena was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Under the excuse that she needed to recuperate, Lucas left her alone at Fischer Manor. On her birthday, she trembled as she called Lucas, Benjamin, and Charlotte, only to learn they were vacationing with Sabrina in Mardor. She wanted to cook herself a plate of pasta, but in her confusion, she forgot to turn off the stove. As flames swallowed her, the last thing she remembered was the iciness in Lucas' gaze when he placed the wedding ring on her finger. She shut her eyes in pain, wishing that if she had a second chance, she would never again trade her entire future for him. … When Elena returned to the mansion, night had already fallen. She didn't rest. She began clearing things out. One by one, she put Lucas' suits and shirts, the children's toys, and family photos into boxes. "What are you doing?" Lucas' voice came from behind her. She turned to see him standing in the doorway, holding the children's hands. His brows were tightly drawn together. "Why are you throwing our things away?" Charlotte ran over, her face flushing red when she saw her teddy bear inside a box. Benjamin glared at her. "We just spent some time with Ms. Miller. Are you really that upset about it?" Lucas' gaze was as cold as ever. "The kids like being around Sabrina. Are you really going to throw a tantrum over such a trivial matter?" "I'm not upset," Elena said evenly. "Liar!" Charlotte shouted. "You're jealous of Ms. Miller. That's why you threw my teddy away. You're a bad mom!" "When I grow up, I'm moving in with Ms. Miller," Benjamin said fiercely, grabbing Charlotte's hand. "I'll never come back to see you!" Lucas didn't stop them. A slight frown marred his face, his dark eyes sweeping over Elena as if she were a stranger making a scene. "That's enough," he said, his voice a deep, resonant hum. He adjusted his cufflinks with casual precision. "I have a video conference with the board. Throw out whatever you want. Just be quiet." When the door shut behind him, Elena's tears finally fell. It felt as if her heart were being shredded into pieces. Every breath of air tasted like copper. She wiped her face, looked at the mess around her, and suddenly let out a laugh. His reminder was unnecessary. She wouldn't disturb him ever again. Chapter 2 After the divorce agreement was signed, Elena stopped managing the household. She no longer woke at 5:00 am to prepare breakfast for the children. She no longer waited up late for Lucas to return from business dinners so she could make him a hangover remedy. The tasks she once considered her responsibility were handed entirely to the maids. At first, no one noticed. Then, Benjamin was reprimanded for being late to school, Charlotte couldn't find her homework, and Lucas' pocket watch stopped ticking. The maids rushed around trying to keep up, but nothing met the standards Elena had maintained. Dishes piled up in the sink, toys cluttered the living room, and pressed shirts never came out quite right. The once orderly house gradually fell into disarray. When Lucas pushed open the bedroom door, Elena was leaning against the window, reading. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting dappled shadows across her. Standing in the doorway, Lucas spoke in a low voice. "How long are you going to keep this up?" Elena closed the book and looked at him. "I'm not keeping anything up." "Then why have you stopped handling things at home?" He stepped closer, the faint scent of ambergris clinging to him. "Are you still upset about what happened back then?" She set the book aside. "I'm not upset. I just don't want to do it anymore." Lucas narrowed his eyes, his slender fingers drumming against the desk. "Why?" "I'm tired," she said calmly. "We have plenty of maids. I don't have to do everything myself." She remembered how, in her previous life, she rose before dawn every day. Lucas' coffee had to be exactly 185 degrees Fahrenheit. His sandwich had to be toasted just right. The children's clothes were hand-washed, and even their socks were ironed. In return, all she got was Lucas' tenderness toward Sabrina, the children's attachment to the latter, and the loneliness of dying alone at 62. Lucas' tone turned icy. "Elena, if you're upset, just say it. Don't act like a petulant child." She gave a faint smile. "I'm not upset. I just want to rest." Before he could reply, the door flew open. Benjamin and Charlotte rushed in, anger written all over their tiny faces. "Mom, you're so lazy!" Charlotte shouted. "We want Ms. Miller to take care of us." Benjamin chimed in immediately, "Ms. Miller is kinder than you, more hardworking than you, and better than you in every way!" Lucas kept his gaze fixed on Elena, as if waiting for her to soften. Instead, she took a deep breath and said, "If you think she's better, then invite her to stay. I don't mind." The air went still. Lucas' expression darkened. "Are you sure?" Elena drew another breath. "I'm sure." Charlotte tugged at his sleeve. "Dad, hurry! I want Ms. Miller here right now." "Once she's here, we won't need you anymore," Benjamin said, making a face at Elena. "You can leave!" Lucas looked at Elena one last time. When she didn't waver, he turned and walked out with the children. Elena stood there, listening to the sound of the engine fading away, and closed her eyes. Soon, she would give them exactly what they wanted. She would leave them and this house behind. Chapter 3 On the first day Sabrina moved in, she began directing the maids to rearrange the living room. "This couch feels too dark," she said lightly, brushing her slender fingers over the leather before turning to Lucas with a soft smile. "Lucas, why don't we switch to something in cream?" Lucas didn't even blink. He simply turned to the housekeeper, Martha Yates, and said, "Do as she suggests." Elena stood at the bend of the staircase and watched as the workers carried out the couch she'd so carefully chosen just six months ago. Benjamin and Charlotte trailed behind Sabrina like shadows, excitedly pointing at everything. "Ms. Miller, this throw pillow should go too. Mom picked it out. It's so ugly!" Sabrina gently ruffled their hair. "Alright. We'll replace it." Elena's hands clenched briefly before relaxing again. She'd made those pillowcases herself while she was pregnant, stitching them by hand and filling them with hypoallergenic stuffing because the children's skin was so sensitive when they were little. Now, they were tossed into the trash without a second thought. Over the next few days, the house grew more and more unfamiliar. At the dining table, Sabrina sat in the seat that had once been Elena's, gently placing food on the children's plates. Lucas would occasionally pour her a cup of coffee himself, his long fingers sliding it toward her and his eyes holding a softness Elena had never seen directed at her. At night, the lights in the living room would dim, and the four of them would squeeze together on the couch to watch movies. Charlotte curled up in Sabrina's arms while Benjamin leaned against Lucas' shoulder, their laughter echoing throughout the house. When Elena passed by, they didn't even look up. It was as though she didn't exist. What was even more absurd was that Lucas, Benjamin, and Charlotte had once been meticulous to a fault when it came to their quality of life. And now? Elena watched Sabrina toss Lucas' Patek Philippe, worth tens of millions of dollars, face down onto the coffee table, and he would pick it up indulgently. She watched the children head to school in uniforms Sabrina had thrown straight into the washing machine, the collars still stained with sauce. She watched Sabrina serve takeout on plates and claim she'd made it herself, and no one called her out. More than that, they practically worshipped her. "Sabrina, don't touch that," Lucas said, stopping her when she reached for the coffee pot. His fingers closed gently around her wrist. "Your hands are meant for the piano." "Ms. Miller, I'll carry your bag for you," Benjamin offered eagerly, taking her limited-edition handbag with a smile Elena had never seen him direct at her. "Ms. Miller, all you need to do is rest," Martha said respectfully, presenting a pair of handmade slippers from Ilyria. "We'll take care of everything else." It was ironic. Elena had worked like a nanny in that house for six years, and no one had noticed. On the other hand, Sabrina had barely settled in, and she was treated like royalty. The household staff whispered about it among themselves. "Mr. Fischer is so nice to Ms. Miller. He's never treated Mrs. Fischer like this." "Even the kids are glued to her. This house is going to have a new lady before long." Elena was beyond caring. Without a word or a single question, she quietly sorted through her belongings. That afternoon, her phone vibrated nonstop. "Mrs. Fischer! Mr. Benjamin and Ms. Charlotte had an allergic reaction at school. They were taken to the hospital in an ambulance!" By the time Elena arrived at the hospital, both children had already been rushed into the emergency room. Lucas stood in the corridor. His suit jacket was draped over his arm, his tie was loose, and anger simmered beneath his expression. "Elena Jennings." His voice was low and laced with suppressed fury. "What exactly were you thinking?" She froze. "What are you talking about?" "They're allergic to mango. Don't you know that?" He stepped closer, his imposing height casting a shadow over her. "Why did you let them drink mango juice?" She met his eyes steadily. "It wasn't me! I'd never bring mango into the house." Ever since the first time the children were hospitalized after eating mango, Elena had been painfully careful. She constantly reminded everyone of their allergy. She even checked the school cafeteria menu herself. She would never have made that mistake. Lucas gave a cold laugh. "Who else would've done it if not you? The maid? Or did the children decide to poison themselves?" She opened her mouth to respond, but the door swung open, and a nurse stepped out. "They're awake." In the ward, Benjamin and Charlotte lay on the hospital beds, their faces pale. When they saw Elena and Lucas enter, their eyes flickered. "What happened?" Lucas asked, his voice low. The children exchanged a look and pointed at Elena at the same time. "It was Mom! There was mango in the dessert she bought." Elena stiffened as she looked at them in disbelief. "What did you just say?" Chapter 4 "It was Mom!" Charlotte cried, her voice breaking. "She knew we were allergic and still gave it to us on purpose." Benjamin nodded hard. "She's so mean!" Elena gripped the doorframe so tightly that her knuckles turned white. "Benjamin, Charlotte, do you understand what you're saying? You'd better tell the truth right now!" "Enough!" Lucas lurched to his feet and clamped his hand around her wrist with enough force to nearly shatter her bones. "Is this how a mother should behave? Not only did you hurt them, but you're also forcing them to lie for you?" "I'm not…" Elena's voice trembled despite herself. Lucas scoffed. "Are you saying they're framing you? They're children. Do you really think they'd lie about something like this? How can you call yourself a mother?" The children burst into tears all of a sudden. Lucas immediately released Elena and turned to soothe them, but they cried harder, their faces flushing scarlet. "Dad…" Charlotte sobbed. "We feel awful…" "What would make you feel better?" Lucas asked quietly, wiping her tears away. Benjamin's red-rimmed eyes shifted to Elena. "She's allergic to mango too. Make her drink the mango juice. She should feel awful too!" Elena felt her heart turn to ice. She looked at Lucas, the coldness in his eyes making her shiver. "Alright." He straightened and snapped his fingers. Two bodyguards entered the room. "Hold her in place," he commanded. Before Elena could react, she was forced into a chair. One of the bodyguards gripped her jaw and forced her mouth open. A full liter of mango juice was poured down her throat. The syrupy liquid burned as it went down the wrong pipe. She choked violently, her throat burning like it had been set on fire. Red hives spread across her skin almost instantly. Her face began to swell, and her breathing grew labored. She clawed at her neck in desperation, her vision blurring as she looked at Lucas. He simply stood there, watching with indifference and showing absolutely no intention of telling the bodyguards to stop. The children had stopped crying and were now clapping excitedly. "Serves her right! She should suffer too!" Before darkness closed in around her, the last thing Elena saw was the chilling look in Lucas' eyes. … Elena had no idea how long she'd been unconscious when she finally woke up in a hospital bed. Her throat still burned, and faint rashes lingered on her skin. A familiar voice drifted in from outside the ward. It was Sabrina. "Lucas, I honestly didn't know they were allergic. I just wanted to make them some juice…" "It's not your fault," Lucas said gently. "You didn't know." Sabrina spoke with a tinge of helplessness. "If I'd explained sooner, you wouldn't have misunderstood Ms. Jennings. Benny, Lottie, it was all my fault. How could you blame it all on your mother just to protect me?" The children's guilty voices carried through the door. "Ms. Miller… We're sorry," Charlotte said in between sobs. "W-we just don't like Mom…" "Yeah," Benjamin added. "She's always telling us what we can't eat and when to go to bed. We just wanted her to leave…" Elena's fingers tightened around the bedsheet until her knuckles turned white. These were the children she'd painstakingly carried to term. She remembered the day Benjamin was born. The delivery room had been empty. A nurse told her Lucas was in an important meeting and couldn't make it, so she'd endured the pain of labor all by herself. When Charlotte was born, it was even worse. It was a difficult delivery, during which Elena suffered massive bleeding. The doctors had even issued a critical condition notice. However, Lucas had flown off to another country to handle an international acquisition deal. And now, the two children she'd fought tooth and nail to bring into the world had become the very people who were hurting her the most. Chapter 5 The pain tore straight through Elena's chest. She pressed her hand against her heart and stood there for a long moment, trying to steady herself while the tears kept coming. Just then, her phone started ringing. It was the airline calling to confirm her ticket details. "Ms. Jennings, your one-way ticket to Yewton has been issued. Would you like to select a seat?" "A window seat, please. Thank you," she answered, wiping away the tears before her voice could betray her. She'd just ended the call when the hospital room door opened. Lucas walked in, composed as ever. His suit was immaculate, his posture straight, and his cuffs aligned down to the millimeter. "Who were you on the phone with?" he asked evenly. Elena put her phone away. "A friend." He didn't press further. He simply stood at the foot of the bed, looking down at her. "There was a bit of a misunderstanding last time. Sabrina was the one who gave the children mango juice." His tone remained neutral, as if he were discussing something trivial. "But she didn't know they were allergic. We'll leave it at that." Elena felt her heart clench, the pain nearly taking her breath away. When he believed she'd done it, he'd wanted to kill her, but when it turned out to be Sabrina, it became an unfortunate mistake. Her lips parted. She wanted to argue, to scream, to lay bare all of the grievances and resentment she'd been holding in. But in the end, all she could muster was a mere, "Okay." As if all the strength had been drained from her body, Elena felt exhausted, so exhausted that she didn't even have the will to argue anymore. The grievances that had once kept her awake at night—the resentment that had piled up day after day—all dissolved into a faint, self-mocking smile at the corners of her lips. It turned out the line between love and indifference was remarkably thin and easy to see. Lucas seemed faintly surprised by her reaction. After a brief pause, he said, "The kids are leaving for summer camp next week. Sabrina and I are going with them. You can head back on your own." He waited for her to beg, cry, or make a scene the way she used to. Instead, Elena simply nodded. "Got it." He frowned, clearly unsettled by her unusual reaction, but his phone rang at that moment. He glanced at the caller ID and said, "Something's come up at the office. I have to go." The second the door shut behind him, Elena finally unclenched her fist, the skin broken where her nails had dug in. … Over the next few days, Elena's phone buzzed nonstop. Every notification was from Sabrina. There were numerous photos and videos, all capturing cheerful scenes from summer camp. In one clip, Benjamin and Charlotte stood proudly beside Sabrina, their faces glowing as they introduced her to their classmates. "This is our mom!" The other children gasped in envy. "Wow, your mom is so pretty!" "Your dad's handsome, and your mom's beautiful. You guys are so lucky!" Then, a curious child asked, "Who's the lady who usually picks you up from school?" Benjamin and Charlotte's expressions stiffened for a brief second. "Oh, that's… our nanny." Elena's hand trembled. The glass she was holding slipped from her fingers and shattered on the floor. She slowly crouched down, stared at the shards scattered at her feet, and laughed. After all these years, she had only ever been a nanny to them. But it didn't matter because that nanny would be resigning soon. From now on, their beloved "mom" could take care of them. … A week later, Martha brought Benjamin and Charlotte back to the mansion. The moment they stepped inside, they ran straight to the kitchen, unable to hide the smugness on their faces. "Mom!" Charlotte called out in a high voice. "Did you know Ms. Miller twisted her ankle at family sports day? Dad was so worried about her!" Benjamin chimed in immediately, "Dad booked out an entire hospital for her and even canceled his meetings. He stayed with her the whole time!" Elena stood in front of the oven, listening to their bragging while slipping on her oven mitts. "Mom, are you even listening?" Charlotte stomped her foot in displeasure. "Dad treats Ms. Miller so well, way better than he ever treated—" The oven timer chimed, cutting her off. The sweet scent of cake filled the kitchen instantly. Both children's eyes lit up as they hurried over. Benjamin rose onto his toes. "It's cake! I want some!" Elena pulled the tray out. The edges of the cake were slightly burned. She frowned, then tipped the entire cake into the trash bin. Charlotte let out a sharp scream. "Why would you throw it away?" "It's burned. You can't eat it," Elena said calmly. "You're lying!" Benjamin kicked the trash bin in anger. "You did that on purpose! You're still mad about what happened before, so you don't want us to eat it. You're such a terrible mom!" Charlotte's face flushed bright red. "We don't want a mom like you!" Elena slowly removed the oven mitts, her heart clenching painfully. She looked at the two children she'd nearly died bringing into the world, and for the first time, they felt like strangers to her. "Good," she said softly. "I don't want children like you either. You're more than welcome to go running to Sabrina from here on out." With that, she turned and strode toward the stairs. Behind her, the children screamed at the top of their lungs, "We hate you! We'll hate you forever!" Her steps faltered for a split second, but she didn't look back. She'd just stepped onto the third stair when a violent shove struck her from behind. "Why don't you just die!" Chapter 6 The world spun as Elena's body crashed down the staircase. Pain exploded through her limbs, and warm blood streamed from her forehead, blurring her vision. Benjamin and Charlotte stood at the top of the stairs, smiling maliciously. Charlotte clapped her hands, while Benjamin made a face. "Serves you right!" "That's what you get for not giving us cake!" Elena struggled to push herself up. Blood dripped onto the floor from her chin and her arm, cut by broken glass. She looked at the two children before her and couldn't reconcile them with the children she'd once fought to bring into this world while lying half-conscious in the delivery room. The front door flew open just then. "What happened?" Lucas' low voice rang out. Sabrina followed close behind him, and the two of them froze at the sight before them. "Dad!" The children's expressions shifted instantly as they rushed toward him in tears. "Mom threw the cake away and wouldn't let us eat it, and she said she doesn't want us anymore!" Lucas's gaze fell on the cake in the trash, then shifted to Elena, who was covered in blood. His brows knit together. "Elena, why do you insist on making things difficult with your own children?" His voice was icy. "How could you say something like that to your biological children? You don't deserve to be a mother!" Elena braced herself against the wall and slowly stood up. Blood stained the collar of her clothes. She looked at him and suddenly laughed. "When have I ever deserved anything in your eyes?" she asked hoarsely. "Haven't you always treated me as nothing more than a tool to bear your children?" Lucas' pupils contracted slightly. "If the wife you want is Sabrina, and if the kids only want her as their mother, then I'll step aside and give the four of you the family you want," Elena said as she wiped the blood from her face. The air seemed to freeze. Lucas' expression darkened. He stared at her as though he was seeing her clearly for the first time. "Don't forget, Elena," he said in a chilling tone. "Our marriage was an alliance between the Fischer and the Jennings families. There was never any love to begin with. What exactly do you expect me to give you? Love?" He let out a short, humorless laugh. "I'm sorry. I can't." Elena laughed, and tears slipped down her face as she listened. He was right. She'd been foolish enough to think she could soften him. Lucas had softened once before, but not for her. She should've known better. "Lucas, that's enough," Sabrina said gently, taking hold of his arm. "The kids are frightened. Let's take them upstairs first." Lucas looked at Elena for a long moment. Finally, he turned away, lifting one child in each arm and leaving with Sabrina at his side. Elena watched their retreating silhouettes while blood continued to drip onto the floor. She'd never felt regret this sharply before—regret for marrying Lucas and for giving birth to those two children. In this lifetime, she wouldn't repeat the same mistake. From now on, she would live only for herself. … Three days later, it was Benjamin's birthday. The party was held at the most luxurious hotel downtown. Crystal chandeliers scattered brilliant light across the ceiling, and a towering champagne tower gleamed at the center of the ballroom. As always, Lucas had booked the entire floor and thrown Benjamin a grand celebration. Elena stood quietly in a corner. She watched as Benjamin and Charlotte held Sabrina's hands on either side of her, circling her like two cheerful little birds. They clung to her the entire evening, deliberately leaving Elena alone. Not far away, Lucas stood with a champagne glass between his fingers, his gaze drifting toward Sabrina occasionally. The tenderness in his eyes was something Elena had never once seen directed at her. "Mr. Fischer is such a devoted man. Despite all these years, he only has eyes for Ms. Miller." "Of course. Even the kids take after him. They don't have eyes for anyone but Sabrina." Chapter 7 The whispers weren't subtle. Elena heard every word. "I went to university with Mr. Fischer and Ms. Miller," a man in a tailored suit said under his breath. "Back then, the way he treated her was intense. He was basically one step away from proposing before graduation." "No wonder," someone beside him replied. "First love is first love. Wife or not, she's still the one that matters." "And what did all her scheming to marry into the family even get her?" another person added, casting a dismissive glance at Elena. "She gave him kids and still couldn't win his heart. I'd say she's going to spend the rest of her life alone." Elena stood there quietly. It felt as if her heart had turned to ice. It was heavy and dull, but it no longer seemed to hurt. She took a deep breath and walked toward the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand slipped between them. Sabrina stepped inside in her high heels, perfectly composed, her red lips curved in a faint smile. "The divorce will be finalized in three days," she said, meeting Elena's eyes directly. "You're going to leave like you promised, right?" Elena pressed the button for the first floor. "Of course. I want out more than anyone." Sabrina's smile widened in satisfaction. "Good. I'll take care of this family from here on out. Lucas and the kids never liked you anyway. Give it time, and they won't remember you at all." Elena didn't respond, letting the elevator descend in silence. All of a sudden, a loud crash sounded as the elevator jerked violently. The lights went out. Sabrina screamed and grabbed her phone. "Lucas! Help! The elevator malfunctioned!" Elena slammed against the wall. Pain split across her forehead, and something warm ran down her face. Some time passed before voices and footsteps echoed outside. "Are you two alright in there?" the rescuer shouted. "Help us! My leg is stuck!" Sabrina yelled, pounding on the door. Metal screeched as tools forced the doors apart, and a beam of blinding light cut through the darkness. A rescuer leaned in to check on the situation, his expression grim. "Mr. Fischer, both women's legs are pinned. We're running out of time. We can only extract one first. Who should we take?" Through blurred vision, Elena saw Lucas standing behind the rescuer with Benjamin and Charlotte. His gaze locked onto Sabrina, and he spoke without hesitation. "Get Sabrina out." "Save Ms. Miller first! Hurry!" the children cried, tugging at the rescuer's sleeve. The rescuer frowned. "Mr. Fischer, Mr. Benjamin, Ms. Charlotte, the other woman appears to be more severely injured. I recommend saving her first." "I said Sabrina!" Lucas demanded icily. The rescuer let out a helpless sigh and reached in to pull Sabrina out. Elena watched as they carefully lifted Sabrina free. The elevator door, now supported by only half its frame, let out a harsh, grating creak before it gave way. The warped metal slammed down onto her leg. Pain tore through her body so violently that it robbed her of breath. The last thing she saw was Lucas carrying Sabrina away, with the two children cheering joyfully behind him. Then, the darkness swallowed her whole. Chapter 8 When Elena opened her eyes again, the harsh white light forced her to squint. The sharp scent of disinfectant filled her nose, and the steady beeping of a heart monitor echoed beside her. "You're awake," the doctor said. "You fractured three ribs. If you'd been brought in any later, it could have been fatal." Elena stared blankly at the ceiling. The final scene before the elevator collapsed replayed in her mind with cruel clarity. Lucas had chosen Sabrina without hesitation. And when the warped elevator door came crashing down toward Elena, he hadn't even looked back. Elena tried to shift her body, but pain radiated through her chest before spreading to her limbs. Strangely, she couldn't cry. It was as if the pain had numbed her heart. … Three days later, Lucas came to pick her up. He stood at the doorway in a crisp suit, his eyes resting briefly on the bandages wrapped around her torso. "Sabrina still dances," he said at last. "I couldn't risk her leg." Lifting her head slowly, Elena met his gaze. "You'll just have to deal with the sacrifice. You're a housewife. Even if your mobility is limited for a while, it won't affect much," he stated calmly, without a hint of emotion in his voice. Elena said nothing. It felt as if she was truly seeing the man she'd loved her entire life for the first time. His features were still as striking as ever, but in those eyes, there had never been a place for her. "Lucas, if I had died that day, would you have cared?" she asked hoarsely. His brows drew tighter, but he didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out a black card and placed it on the bedside table. "Don't ask pointless questions. Consider this compensation. As long as you behave and raise the kids properly, you'll always be my wife." Elena burst into laughter. In her previous life, she'd carried the title of Mrs. Fischer until her dying breath, but what did that matter? It didn't save her from loneliness, being forgotten, or dying alone in a fire. This time, she no longer cared about being his wife. She was going to live a better, more brilliant life, and she was going to find someone who actually loved her. She couldn't hold back any longer and was seconds away from telling him that she was done with him for good. "Lucas, I—" His phone rang, cutting her off. He answered immediately. Sabrina's voice carried through the speaker. "Lucas, the kids and I are waiting for you at the restaurant. We have a surprise for you!" His expression softened at once. "I'll be there soon." When he ended the call, he glanced at his watch. "I have something to take care of. The driver is downstairs," he said, his voice devoid of warmth. He turned and left. Elena's hands unconsciously curled into fists, but she didn't call out to him. It didn't matter anymore. Soon enough, he would learn from Sabrina that the divorce had already been finalized. She didn't want him anymore, nor did she want the children who treated her as a mere stranger. "Martha," Elena said as she pressed the call button. "Have my luggage sent to the airport." An hour later, she deleted every one of Lucas' contacts and left the black card in a drawer in the hospital room. As the plane lifted into the sky, the sunset painted the clouds in gold and red. Elena watched the horizon, smiling faintly before closing her eyes. In this life, she would never again compromise herself for anyone. Those years of lowering herself for love would vanish with this flight, disappearing into the clouds forever. What awaited her was a brand-new future, one that belonged only to her.