The Divorced Duchess

04. Look What You Made Her Do

ELEANOR
(Edited)

"Elle. Elle, it's time to wake up," a male voice whispered in the softest tone.

"R-Robert?" My eyes felt heavy as they opened slowly and adjusted to the light.

"I'm afraid I am not him, precious." A familiar face came into view with a warm smile. A face I never thought I'd see again.

"Ethan," I gasped, realizing last night hadn't been a terrible nightmare but my painful reality. "W-Where am I?"

Ethan's lips puckered into a sad pout. "You've already forgotten about this place?"

I let my eyes wander around the room, and its familiarity made me realize where we were—the Maxwell mansion. It was where I had spent my summers during college before I married Robert. I used to love coming here to escape the noisy and busy side of New York.

I would always beg Robert to move to this area, but he always argued it was too far from his office. Now, I realized his concern was that his mistress would be too far away. My stomach churned at the reminder of his betrayal.

"How are you feeling?" Ethan's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. His green eyes looked at me with genuine concern.

It had been so long since someone showed this much care for me.

"As good as I can be, given the situation," I said as I propped myself on the cushioned headboard.

Ethan took a seat on the bed and reached for my hand. I hesitantly allowed his warm touch to embrace mine.

"I meant what I said yesterday," he began as his eyes searched my own. "You are not, Elle. You have me, you have your family—"

I let out a low snort. "My family hates me."

"Elle, your family could never hate you," Ethan assured.

"Of course they do, and I do not blame them." I looked away with a guilty expression. "I wouldn't blame you for hating me as well. I brought both my family and you so much shame."

I could feel warm tears swell up in my eyes, and I held them back with a quivering lip. I felt ashamed and guilty for asking Ethan to help me after what I had done to him three years ago.

I was surprised when Ethan reached out and wiped away the tears that had escaped. His touch was soft and delicate. I hesitated to meet his gaze, but when I finally looked up, there was no hatred in his eyes. Instead, there was a warmth to them that made me feel safe.

"I was the one who called off our engagement, Elle. Weeks before you got engaged to Robert. You did nothing wrong but follow your heart," Ethan assured. "I could never hold it against you that you did not choose me. Our engagement had been an arrangement made by our parents, not based on love."

"I still had a duty toward you," I replied. "And I chose to abandon it because of a cheating and lying bastard."

"Hey, that's all in the past now," Ethan reassured me as he squeezed my hand again. "What matters now is that you're back where you belong."

"Thank you, Ethan. You've always been so good to me," I said as I reached over and hugged him.

And this time, I will not take your kindness for granted.

I would make sure Robert paid for everything he did and everything I lost because of him.

"I have some business and a wedding to attend before we leave for England, but I will do my best to have you back home in two weeks if that is alright with you?"