"Grandpa Russell, when we made that agreement years ago, I promised to bear an heir for the Sullivan family and raise them until the age of seven, in return for your kindness and financial support."
"Now, there's only half a month left on that promise. Please... let me go."
Standing in the dimly lit corridor, Elena traced the words of the contract with trembling fingers, her voice unsteady.
On the other end of the line came a sigh, heavy with age.
"Elena, I had hoped that seven years would be enough to mend the bond between you and Jackson... but it seems you were never meant to be. Once you leave the Sullivan family, where could a fragile woman like you possibly go?"
Tears welled in her eyes. She hastily wiped them away, her voice trembling and barely audible.
"Anywhere... as long as it's far from Los Angeles."
After ending the call, she booked a one-way flight to Ireland, set for two weeks later.
Back when she was an actress, she had bought a small apartment there. Now, it was the only place in the world that could take her in.
—
The twins' sixth birthday banquet was nothing short of extravagant.
Dressed in a dazzling haute couture gown, Hillary arrived arm-in-arm with Jackson as if she were Mrs. Sullivan.
Guests showered them with praise, marveling at how perfectly matched they seemed, a couple so flawless they could have been crafted by the heavens themselves.
Elena was suddenly struck by a bittersweet thought—there had been a time when she and Jackson shared tenderness too.
He had once taken care of all the arrangements for her parents' death anniversary, kneeling before their grave to swear his devotion. He held her hand in front of relatives and business partners, leading her into the glittering world of high society.
He had shown her the stars beneath the ocean, chased meteors with her through the night, and during their honeymoon in a quaint European town... she had given birth to the embodiment of their love.
Until Hillary came back into his life.
Her thoughts were broken by her son Aaron, waddling up to the stage and snatching the microphone from the host.
"I've already decided on my birthday wish!" he declared, his small voice ringing out through the hall.
"I wish my mom would let my dad be with Aunt Hillary—after all, stolen things never truly belong to you."
The crowd erupted into whispers. Elena's entire body jolted, her eyes flying wide in disbelief.
Then his twin sister, Maya, grabbed the microphone and mimicked him with alarming accuracy.
"Grandma says Mommy is a shameless homewrecker who ruined Daddy and Aunt Hillary's relationship. I hate bad women!"
As the murmurs grew, Hillary's expression abruptly changed.
Her face went pale as she pulled her skirt aside—revealing over a dozen razor blades slipping to the floor, her skin marked with fresh, bloody cuts.
"This dress... Elena personally prepared it for me. Maybe the blades got in by accident."
"Elena!" Jackson's voice carried a quiet, dangerous fury. "Why would you stoop to such vile tricks?"
Forcing herself to stay calm, Elena met his gaze. "It wasn't me. You can check the surveillance if you want—I have nothing to hide."
But Hillary quickly stepped in, eyes glistening with tears, her fragile beauty stirring pity.
"Jackson, it must be a misunderstanding. Could you... come with me to change? I'm in so much pain..."
Without a second thought, he turned to soothe her, brushing away her tears before lifting her into his arms.
The moment they left, Aaron's eyes gleamed. With all his strength, he shoved her hard.
Splash!
Elena stumbled into the decorative pool in the center of the hall. For visual effect, the organizers had scattered shards of glass along the pool floor to catch the light—now. They bit into her feet with every movement.
She slowly pushed herself upright, crimson blooming into the water around her.
"Filthy woman!" Aaron snarled, kicking her shin. "If you dare hurt Aunt Hillary again, I'll make sure you're thrown out of this house!"
Jackson returned just in time to see her struggling in the pool. Before he could speak, Maya burst into loud, trembling sobs.
"Daddy, I'm so scared! Mommy tried to hit my brother, but she slipped and fell into the pool instead."
The sharp sting of judgmental stares cut into her like knives.
She looked at the two children she had risked her life to bring into the world—and felt her heart grow cold.
"Jackson... it doesn't matter what I say. You've never believed me anyway."
His gaze swept over his children's tear-streaked faces before landing on her disheveled form. His voice was as frigid as ice.
“Would a child like her even lie?”
“Stop making a scene. Aren’t you ashamed to behave like this in front of the children and guests? As Mrs. Sullivan, you might as well be dead.”
On the way to the hospital with the help of a kind stranger, Elena's tears finally spilled over.
She wouldn't fight anymore.
For the rest of her life... never again.
