No, she had to ask herself this crucial question. What did I mean to him? Was I nothing more than the third wheel, disrupting the reunion between him and Victoria? Easton didn’t love me; that was painfully clear now. His first love, Victoria, had returned, and with Easton now firmly positioned as the Hudson family’s heir, having doubled the family’s fortune, what was left to keep him with me? The Brooks family couldn’t hope for a better son-in-law. Surely, divorce was the next step, and Easton would rekindle his relationship with Victoria.
Jackson, standing beside Easton and Victoria, noticed Ellis standing frozen in place. He glanced at Victoria, who was sobbing in Easton’s arms, and then addressed Easton, “Mr. Easton, Mrs. Hudson has been found.”
Upon hearing that, Victoria’s eyes swept across the area. Ellis stood still, her eyes fixed on Easton and Victoria, like a statue caught in place. Victoria’s lips curved in a subtle, almost imperceptible smile before she held onto Easton even tighter, her voice soft and trembling with feigned fear. “Easton, those kidnappers were so frightening. They dragged me here, and if it weren’t for you,…”
Before she could finish, her body stumbled. Easton had already pushed her aside. Victoria was shocked to see Easton remove his jacket and hand it to Jackson. With a frown, Easton said, “Throw it away.” In this desolate place, any spot could serve as a trash can, so Jackson decided to walk a little farther to dispose of it.
Once Jackson moved aside, Easton’s gaze finally met Ellis’s. Her long, black curls were slightly tousled, and her slender body seemed frail in the wind. Clearly shaken, her usual bright expression had disappeared, leaving her with a pale, blank stare.
“Are you okay?” Easton’s question was casual, as if it didn’t matter much to him, as he approached. Ellis let out a bitter laugh. “I’m not dead yet.” Easton looked her over. There were no obvious injuries to her. Meanwhile, the two doctors he had brought with him were being pulled by the Brooks family to attend to Victoria.
“Once the doctors finish with Victoria, they’ll check on you.” Ellis had always been strong, and Easton expected her to recover quickly. Unlike Victoria, Ellis wasn’t the type to break easily. In fact, he assumed that now that he’d spoken to her, she’d come rushing to him for comfort, just like she always did. But things didn’t go as Easton expected.
Chapter 3 The Final Straw
Instead, Ellis spoke slowly and clearly, “Let’s get a divorce.” Today’s events had shown her that holding onto her sad and hopeless fantasies was pointless. She had loved Easton in secret for four years, spent two years fighting to be his wife, and had been married to him for three years. Ten years wasted on someone who saw her as nothing more than a stranger. There was no future for them.
Instead of living in constant fear that Easton would divorce her one day, she decided it was better to end it herself. As her words settled, Easton frowned deeply. “Divorce? What kind of nonsense is this? Is this… I didn’t believe the kidnappers on the first call?” His tone was sharp, almost mocking, as if her request for a divorce was some kind of bad joke.
“I’m not kidding! I want a divorce!” Ellis’s voice was firm, filled with resolve. “Stop being ridiculous! If you’re thinking clearly, give your statement to the police first. The kidnappers haven’t been caught yet.” Easton dismissed her words, clearly not taking her seriously. He assumed he had a good grasp of who Ellis was. She was his aunt’s adopted daughter, driven by vanity and greed, someone who had desperately wanted to become part of the Hudson family. She had schemed and plotted her way into my life, even seducing me to become Mrs. Hudson. Knowing how much she had sacrificed to achieve that position, there was no way she would walk away from it lightly. She was probably just throwing a tantrum. If I agreed to a divorce, she’d regret it and cause a bigger scene later.
As Ellis stared at him, she realized just how pitiful her situation had become. He didn’t even bother to hide his relationship with Victoria anymore. He flaunted it openly, without concern. No one defended her; they acted like it wasn’t happening. Being Mrs. Hudson was meaningless.
“Easton, you…” Sorrow and anger collided in her voice, causing it to rise. But before she could finish, her vision went dark, and she collapsed. Ellis’s body collapsed, but Easton caught her before she hit the ground. “Ellis, are you feeling alright?” There was no response; her eyes closed. Had she fainted? Easton called out urgently, “Doctor, over here!” The doctors, following Easton’s command, rushed over. Left standing alone, Victoria pouted in dissatisfaction as she watched them hurry away.