Chapter 7 Then Let Me Go

Elena's POV

The next afternoon, Elena arrived at Hawthorne Manor.

The event planning team was already waiting in the sitting room to go over the details of Sebastian's eightieth birthday celebration. Sebastian had taken his medication and gone upstairs to rest.

As Elena approached the sunroom, she heard Vanessa's voice.

"Are you really sure she'll go through with the divorce as planned?"

The door wasn't fully closed.

Damian stood by the window, looking at his phone.

"The agreement is clear."

"That agreement was signed two years ago. People change. Feelings change." Vanessa paused. "Elena loves you now. She might not be willing to let you go."

Damian finally looked up.

"She will."

"You trust her that much?"

"She takes her commitments seriously. If she gives her word, she keeps it."

That was the reason he had chosen her two years ago.

Now it was also the reason he was so certain she would leave.

Elena pushed the door open.

"You don't have to worry."

Vanessa looked at her, clearly surprised.

"After the birthday celebration, I'll complete the divorce paperwork. I won't delay it, and I won't change my mind."

"I wasn't doubting you. I just don't want any of this to make things difficult for Damian."

"The divorce was his decision. I'm only cooperating."

Damian frowned, as if he didn't like hearing her talk about leaving so easily.

Before he could say anything, the butler appeared and asked them to review the arrangements for the celebration.

The three of them returned to the sitting room.

Evelyn Hawthorne stood beside the long table in a sharply tailored charcoal suit, checking the guest list.

"Perfect timing." She slid the seating chart toward Elena. "Take a look at the seats around your grandfather. Keep the people who insist on talking business away from him."

Elena moved two names, then marked a seat for Sebastian's physician.

"Grandfather's fingers have been bothering him lately. We should use cutlery with wider handles."

Evelyn nodded. "Make the change Elena suggested."

Vanessa stepped up to the table and picked up a pen, moving two names herself.

"Leave these seats on the west side open. And replace the white lilies on the main table. Sebastian doesn't like strong fragrances."

The planner hesitated instead of making the changes.

Her eyes went to Elena.

Evelyn looked up.

"Who gave you permission to change the arrangements?"

Vanessa's hand stilled.

"I was only trying to help. Damian invited me to the celebration, and of course I want everything to go well."

"You're a guest. Showing up on time is enough."

The room fell silent.

Vanessa's smile tightened.

"I'm sorry. I overstepped. I only assumed that after the birthday celebration, some things would be changing anyway."

She never said the word divorce.

She didn't need to.

Everyone understood.

Evelyn's expression cooled.

"Whatever happens after the celebration is between Damian and Elena. For now, Elena is still his wife and a member of the Hawthorne family."

"I never denied that."

"Then respect it."

Vanessa went slightly pale and looked toward Damian.

After a brief silence, Damian turned to the planner.

"Keep the seating and flowers the way Elena arranged them."

Then he looked at Vanessa.

"My mother is right. Until the divorce is final, no one gets to step into Elena's place."

Elena glanced at him.

Yesterday, he had told her she was simply the best choice.

Today, he was defending her position as his wife in front of everyone.

He hadn't suddenly started caring. He simply refused to let things change before he was ready.

Vanessa quickly recovered her smile.

"I didn't think it through."

Evelyn turned to Elena. "Come with me. I want you to look at the table settings."

As Elena passed Damian, he automatically reached for her waist.

She stepped aside.

His hand closed on empty air.

His expression darkened slightly.

Once they entered the dining room, Evelyn finally asked, "Vanessa said things would change after the birthday celebration. What did she mean?"

Elena didn't hide it.

"Damian and I are getting divorced after the celebration."

"Was that his decision or yours?"

"At first, his." Elena met her gaze. "Now it's mine too."

Evelyn was quiet for several seconds.

She didn't try to convince Elena to stay.

"You can't keep a marriage together just because the family demands it. I won't make that decision for you. But as long as you're still Damian's wife, no one gets to erase you from this family before you leave."

Something tightened in Elena's chest.

"Thank you."

"I'm not defending whoever I like more," Evelyn said. "I'm defending the boundaries of a marriage."

Both Evelyn and Damian had defended her today.

But Evelyn had asked what Elena wanted first.

The difference was becoming impossible to ignore. Evelyn could stand beside her without deciding for her.

On the drive back, Damian finished reading an email and finally shut off his tablet.

"You didn't need to promise Vanessa you'd go through with the divorce."

"You believe I'll honor the agreement too." Elena turned to him. "I only gave her the same answer you did."

Damian didn't argue.

"She had no right to interfere in Hawthorne family matters while our marriage is still legally intact."

"So you were protecting the position of Mrs. Hawthorne."

"You are Mrs. Hawthorne."

"For now."

"Elena."

"I'm not denying that you defended me today." She met his gaze. "But you were protecting your wife's position. Not me."

His brow furrowed.

"Is there a difference?"

"Of course there is. Someone else can take the title. No one else can be me."

Silence settled over the car.

"As long as we're still married, I won't allow anyone to disrespect you," Damian said.

"I'll attend the birthday celebration. I'll explain everything to your grandfather." Elena held his gaze. "You said I keep my word. You trust me to honor the agreement. So when the time comes, let me go."

Damian's jaw tightened.

He said nothing.

When the car stopped outside the apartment building, Elena opened the door herself.

She didn't wait for him.

And unlike all the times before, she didn't turn around to ask whether he would be home for dinner.

She walked into the building without looking back.

* * *

Damian's POV

The next morning, Damian opened the walk-in closet and reached for a tie.

His hand stopped.

Nearly half of Elena's side was empty.

The clothes she wore most often had already been packed into suitcases. Her books, course materials, and personal documents were stacked neatly in boxes.

The old jewelry her mother had left her was gone from the vanity.

Every piece Damian had given her was still there.

She was taking only what had truly belonged to her before him.

For the first time, what she had said the night before no longer sounded like an emotional warning.

Elena was actually preparing to leave him.