"Everyone knows that I, Eleanor, got to where I am today thanks to the support of my husband’s family. I am grateful for that. And which woman in my position doesn’t have a few close male friends? But I promise, you are the only one I love as my husband."
"Is this your gift to me?"
I laughed coldly.
The innocent girl I once loved deeply ... I didn’t know when she had changed. Now, she was full of pride. Unfortunately, I had become just a tool for her. Rather, I became something to help her keep up her image.
Ever since my parents passed away, Eleanor completely dropped the kind and gentle mask she used to wear. When my parents died, she took me to the mourning ceremony. In front of the media, she cried more painfully than me, the child of the deceased.
One month later, I wanted to take over my family’s company and bring stability to everything.
I thought Eleanor would help me. However, I didn’t expect that Eleanor had already taken control of the Wellington Family’s business contacts and resources before I could even react. Even my shares had been diluted.
She spoke to me gently, like nothing was wrong.
"James, I know you’re very sad. Don’t worry about the company’s affairs. I’ll help you take care of everything."
After that, Eleanor got busier and busier. She became a real businesswoman, confident and powerful. I started to feel suspicious, but she always told me she was doing it all to support the company on her own.
But time had changed everything. We were no longer the people we used to be. The next day, I stood by the window, looking at the divorce agreement Mr. Woods had sent me. I was practicing how I would ask Eleanor to sign it.
Suddenly, someone tugged at the corner of my clothes.
I looked down and saw that Nate had come into the room without me noticing.
"Uncle, my mom went out with my dad today to help him relax. She asked you to take me to the hospital for my treatment."
I looked toward the ward’s door. Eleanor was there, holding Thomas’s hand. Without waiting for me to say anything, they turned around and left.
Nate’s chemotherapy was very painful. I felt a little sympathy for him. Back in the ward, Nate lay curled up in pain on the bed.
He looked at me and begged, "Uncle, can you buy me some candy?"
My heart softened and I agreed.
But when I came back, I heard water running in the bathroom. Nate was taking a cold shower. He was crying and video-calling his father.
"Dad, I’m so cold ... Uncle James said that taking a cold shower would make my body stronger, but it hurts so much … "
The candy I bought dropped from my hands and scattered on the floor. I didn’t bother to explain. Rather, I quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Nate.
Less than ten minutes later, Eleanor came back with Thomas.
Nate was shaking all over. He threw himself into his father’s arms and cried out, "Dad, I was really brave. Uncle James even gave me candy as a reward!"
Then he blinked and smiled at Eleanor as he said, "Mom, don’t worry. Nate is the strongest!"
Thomas hugged his son tightly. After that, he suddenly knelt down in front of me while he was still holding the boy.
"James, this is all my fault. Hit me instead! The child is innocent. Please forgive him. You don’t have to save him if you don’t want to … But please don’t hurt him! Nate is still alive, but his body is too weak for something like this … "
Nate cried and begged like his father. I hurried forward to help him up. But Eleanor pushed me away and slapped me across the face.
The world went silent.
All I could hear was Eleanor shouting, "I said it was my fault! Why did you do that to a child? You want me to have no children left, is that it?"
I held my cheek, shocked. I still couldn’t bring myself to hit her back.
With a trembling voice, I explained, "He took a shower by himself. I didn’t tell him to do it..."
"I don’t want to hear your excuses! Apologize to Nate and Thomas right now!"
She stepped forward and stood protectively in front of her husband and son. There was no space left for me beside them. So, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
After that, I pulled out the bone marrow matching consent form. It was the one Eleanor had prepared a long time ago. Not long after that, I turned to the last page and looked straight at her.
"I’m sorry I overlooked this. You’ve always wanted to do the matching test when the pregnancy reaches full term, right?"
"I agree now. Sign it. I’ll cooperate with the test too."
Eleanor was still angry. Her eyes were filled with hatred. She signed the papers without even reading them.
"You should’ve done this earlier! If anything happens to Nate, I’ll never forgive you!"
She turned and walked away. I looked down at the papers, feeling relieved. Actually, it wasn’t the bone marrow matching form.
It was the divorce agreement Mr. Woods had prepared.
Once I walked out that door, Eleanor and I would officially be done.
“Eleanor,” I called her quietly.
“Do you remember after you had a miscarriage … I stopped touching cold water too?”
“You said you liked how warm my hands felt when I held yours.”
She paused for a second, like she wanted to say something. However, she didn’t follow. I left the agreement in my ward and boarded a plane out of the city.
Before takeoff, Eleanor kept blowing up my phone. The flight attendant kindly picked up, but Eleanor’s voice sounded panicked.
“James, I’m sorry … I was wrong, where are you-”
