Chapter 2

The next day, I did two things.

First, I took the signed prenuptial agreement to my lawyer.

After reviewing it, he nodded with certainty. "The terms are clear and enforceable. The evidence of infidelity is solid, and the medical coercion can be used as supporting evidence. We can initiate divorce proceedings immediately. Under New York law and your prenup, the process should take about three weeks to a month."

Second, my family activated identity protection procedures.

With the help of specialized legal counsel, we applied for legal name changes and began preparing to relocate overseas. Once everything was finalized, we would sever all ties to the past and start over completely.

And Landon Blackwood would never find us again.

Since the process would take about two weeks, my parents and I decided I had to return to the Blackwood residence.

For those two weeks, I needed to stay by Landon's side and act normal.

If he sensed anything, with his power, none of us would leave safely.

Back in the penthouse duplex on Park Avenue, I began quietly packing.

The photos I once treasured, the love letters Landon had written to me, the souvenirs we had collected from traveling the world together...

I tore them all apart and threw them in the trash.

The paper shredded in my hands, like a ridiculous dream being destroyed piece by piece.

The next day, I went to our estate on Long Island.

In the backyard stood an entire grove of oak trees he had planted for me himself. He once said oak trees symbolized strength and eternity—just like his love for me.

I picked up an axe and started chopping them down, one by one.

The staff stood in the distance, too afraid to approach, too afraid to stop me. The heavy, splintering sound of trunks cracking echoed through the empty grounds.

On the third day, I drove alone to the overlook in the Hudson Valley.

That was where we had once placed a love lock, engraved with our names. Back then, Landon had held me close and thrown the key off the cliff, saying we would be locked together forever.

Now, I took a pair of heavy bolt cutters and snapped the lock cleanly in half.

It fell to the ground with a sharp, metallic sound.

I turned and left without looking back.

When I returned to the apartment, there were two people in the living room.

Landon sat on the sofa, and Ava Monroe was leaning weakly against him, her pale face making her look as if a breeze could knock her over.

I walked past them expressionlessly, heading upstairs.

"Stop."

Landon's cold voice came from behind me.

I stopped but didn't turn around.

"Do you know why I brought her back?" he asked.

"I don't care."

"Ava couldn't adjust after you sent her abroad. She couldn't sleep. She couldn't eat." His tone carried open blame. "Eleanor, apologize to her."

I finally turned and looked at them coldly.

Ava clutched his sleeve timidly, but deep in her eyes was a flicker of smug satisfaction.

"And if I don't?" I asked calmly.

"It's fine, Landon..." Ava said softly. "I can endure a little hardship. After all... Eleanor is still Mrs. Blackwood."

Landon immediately pulled her closer. "Didn't I tell you not to be so understanding?"

He kissed the top of her head gently. "With me here, you can do whatever you want."

I let out a faint, humorless laugh. The scene was beyond ridiculous.

A maid brought over a cup of hot tea prepared especially for Ava.

At that moment, Landon's phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and said softly to Ava, "You always get headaches when I talk business. I'll take this outside. Be good and drink your tea."

He walked out to the balcony.

I stood there, my heart feeling like it had been struck by an axe.

He had never discussed business matters at home before, not even in front of me. And now, for Ava, he was willing to break that long-standing rule.

The living room was left with just the two of us.

The fragile expression vanished from Ava's face instantly. She looked straight at me, lips curling into a smug smile.

"See?" she said lightly. "So what if you're Mrs. Blackwood? You sent me away, but his body and his heart are with me."

I looked at her calmly. "If you want him, take him."

She froze for a moment, then her expression twisted in anger. "I don't need your charity! He'll be mine eventually—and your position will be too!"

When I didn't react, she grew more agitated.

At that moment, footsteps approached from outside. Landon was coming back.

A flash of cruelty crossed Ava's eyes.

She suddenly picked up the cup of scalding tea and poured it over herself without hesitation.

"Ah!" she screamed, tears instantly spilling down her face.

When Landon rushed in, this was what he saw: Ava drenched, the hot tea dripping from her clothes, her body trembling as she cried helplessly.

"Eleanor!" His voice was filled with rage. "Refusing to apologize is one thing—how dare you do this to her?!"

"I didn't do it," I said calmly. "Check the surveillance."

"Fine. We'll check," he said coldly.

Ava immediately grabbed his arm, choking back sobs. "Landon, don't blame Eleanor... it's my fault... I shouldn't have wanted to stay by your side... I'll leave now..."

She had barely taken a step before he pulled her back.

"I just got you back, and you're leaving again? Do you want me dead?"

He held her tightly, like a priceless treasure he had almost lost forever.

Then he looked at me, his gaze terrifyingly cold.

"I'll make sure she gets justice."

The bodyguards dragged me down to a cold storage room in the basement.

I struggled desperately as they shoved me inside. "Landon! Check the cameras! I didn't do it!"

He didn't even look at me.

"I don't need to check. I trust her."

The heavy door slammed shut behind me.

Darkness and freezing air swallowed me whole.

I curled up in the corner, trembling violently. But my heart felt colder than the room itself.

This was the man who once claimed to love me most.

Tears slipped down uncontrollably.

I had always been sensitive to cold.

After we got married, Landon had spent a fortune installing top-tier climate systems in all our properties. Even the outdoor gardens felt like spring year-round.

In winter, he would hold my icy hands and feet against his warm body and smile. "For the rest of your life, I'll keep you warm like this."

Now, looking back...

Some promises may be real when they're spoken—but time changes everything.