No reaction crossed Trevor's face, as though Elyse's words hadn't landed—or weren't worth his attention.

What Trevor failed to realize was how much resolve it had taken for Elyse to speak in the first place. Every word had felt like a jagged thorn, scraping through her chest and leaving a quiet, invisible wound behind.

Their first stop was the police station. Afterward, Trevor switched into his own car, and the rest of the drive stretched on in heavy, suffocating silence.

Once they reached the house, Trevor lifted Elyse from the seat without a word. A haze settled over her, and lacking the will to move, she let herself be carried.

The instant they crossed the threshold, something in Trevor shifted. Before they could even reach the bedroom, he abruptly set her down on the sofa. His usually unreadable face cracked, eyes reddened and burning, as he leaned in and claimed her with a flurry of heated, unrestrained kisses.

Fabric tore under his impatient hands, her dress reduced to ruined scraps as he took her without pause. The lingering heat from the dream that had haunted her earlier hadn't fully faded; for a fleeting second, his touch dulled the ache in her body. Yet beneath it all, her heart lay in fragments, too broken to mend.

Relentless and consuming, he kept her through most of the night—moving from the sofa to the bedroom, then into the confines of the bathroom. By the end, Elyse could barely move, her strength completely spent, her voice hoarse as she cried out and weakly cursed him.

His lips brushed her ear in a slow, deliberate motion, his voice dropping into something cold and unyielding. "Elyse, don't ever bring up divorce again."

Exhaustion dragged at Elyse's consciousness, leaving her too drained to process his words. With her thoughts slipping into a haze, she murmured a faint agreement. Only then did Trevor loosen his hold on her.

After Trevor disappeared into the bathroom to shower, the room sank into a silence, and Elyse hovered at the blurred edge of sleep.

Out of nowhere, Trevor's phone lit up with a sharp chime.

At three in the morning, a message arriving at that hour instantly stirred a prickle of unease in Elyse's chest.

She pushed herself upright, eyes flicking toward the closed bathroom door, heart beginning to pound. In the end, curiosity overpowered hesitation, and she reached for Trevor's phone. There was no need to unlock it—the message glowed boldly across the screen, impossible to miss.

"Trevor, I forgot to mention earlier—my prenatal appointment is tomorrow. Could you come with me?"

The sender's name sat there like a verdict: Joanna Kirk.

The words "prenatal appointment" and "Joanna Kirk," whether read apart or together, pierced straight through Elyse.

During the year Elyse had chased after Trevor with stubborn devotion, whispers followed her wherever she went—people kept reminding her that his heart had always belonged to someone else, a girl from his childhood named Joanna.

Knowing he already carried a love that deep and enduring, Elyse had long believed she never stood a real chance. She lived off her beauty and charm, and if that couldn't win him over after a full year, then clearly the issue wasn't her—it was him.

Just when her resolve finally cracked and Elyse prepared to walk away, Trevor appeared in her life on his own terms. On that particular day, she had been on set, filming a brutal diving sequence. The film's lead actress, bitter from constant comparisons and public ridicule for being outshined by Elyse's looks, took the chance to push her to the edge.

Under biting, sub-zero winds, Elyse had been ordered back into the water again and again, each plunge stealing more heat from her body until the cold seeped deep into her bones. Numbness crept through her limbs, draining away her strength until she couldn't even fight her way back to the surface. As her body sank helplessly beneath the water, a firm arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and hauled her into an unyielding embrace.

It was none other than Trevor.

Afterward, Anthony described the scene to her in hushed, unsettled tones, saying Trevor had looked terrifying that day—his face cold and severe, like something dragged straight out of hell itself. Standing there with a storm simmering in his eyes, Trevor had pointed at each member of the crew one by one, his voice low and sharp enough to cut. "If anything happens to her, every one of you will answer for it. I won't let a single person walk away from this."

From that moment on, Elyse stopped caring about the woman Trevor had always cherished in his heart. Before this day, she had already done everything she could to win him over; she had given up once, and that should have been the end of it. Yet, he was the one who came back and reached for her again—so if she held on this time, if she refused to let go, she had every right to.

What she hadn't expected, though, was that Trevor would be the one to ask her to be his girlfriend.

After a full year together, mounting pressure from Trevor's family pushed him toward marriage, and he finally brought Elyse home to meet them.

The instant his parents learned Elyse was an actress, they shut her out without a second thought, refusing even to let her cross the threshold.

As a powerful, old-line political dynasty, the Blake family naturally looked down on women like Elyse—someone who had fought her way up through the ruthless entertainment world. Raised under strict discipline, Trevor had always lived by the rules, his life orderly and restrained, leaving no room for rebellion. Expecting the inevitable, Elyse had already prepared herself to walk away from him for good. Then, without warning, he clasped her hand tightly and led her straight to the city hall to register their marriage.

Only much later did it dawn on Elyse that even knowing he would be punished for defying his family, he had still chosen to marry her without hesitation, crossing a line he had never dared approach before—all for her.

Because of that reckless decision, she had always convinced herself he must have loved her deeply, the kind of love he simply didn't know how to express. Clinging to that belief, she had given herself to him completely over the past three years, pouring in everything she had without holding back.

Yet now, the sight of Joanna's message struck her like a savage blow. Harsh clarity flooded in, shattering any chance of rest as she lay stiffly on her back, eyes wide open, staring blankly at the dim bedroom.

Over three long years, her belongings had quietly claimed every corner of the space, and she had once believed she could claim his heart just as easily.

Only in that moment did the truth settle in—she had been nothing more than a fool clinging to a fantasy.

From the bathroom, the steady rush of water suddenly cut off. Without thinking, Elyse squeezed her eyes shut, forcing her breathing into a slow, even rhythm and pretending to be fast asleep.

Moments later, the mattress dipped as Trevor climbed in beside her, a trace of cold clinging to his skin—he never skipped those icy showers, no matter the season.

Almost deliberately, once he settled beneath the covers, Trevor slid his arms around Elyse's warm, cozy body and drew her snugly against his chest.

A sharp chill seeped into her skin, making her shudder and instantly ruining her act. "Trevor! You bastard!" she snapped, her voice edged with irritation.

From behind, he tightened his grip, pressing close in a way that felt both possessive and unyielding, his breath brushing her ear as he murmured low, "You shut me out for a month. Consider this a mild punishment. Try that again, and I won't go easy on you."

In the past, words like that would have sent a familiar heat through her, her body responding before her mind could catch up—she had always been drawn to him that way. Yet now, the memory of that message flashed cold and sharp, and the thought of him touching someone else turned her stomach, leaving only a sour, creeping disgust.

Gradually, the steady rise and fall of his breathing told her he had fallen asleep, though his arm remained locked around her waist like a restraint. Unable to slip free, Elyse lay rigid beneath the covers, staring into the dim gray of early morning until exhaustion finally dragged her into a shallow, uneasy sleep.

By the time she stirred again, sunlight had already flooded the space. Pushing herself upright with a lingering heaviness in her limbs, her gaze fell immediately on the birth control pills resting on the nightstand—an almost mocking reminder. Somewhere by now, he was likely at the hospital, standing beside Joanna for her prenatal appointment. Thinking it through, it fit too neatly. The woman he truly loved was already carrying his child. Of course, he wouldn't want her to get pregnant.

Trevor always used condoms. He often insisted on it, claiming the pills would only harm Elyse's body. Last night slipped out of control, though, and he did not bother to use one, so he prepared the pills for her by morning.

Rage burned through Elyse as she hurled the box straight into the trash.

That was the scene that greeted Trevor when he stepped inside. His expression tightened. Without saying anything, he crossed the room, picked the box out of the bin, opened it, then pressed out a pill and extended it toward her. "Take this," he said.

Meeting his eyes with a cold stare, Elyse refused to even glance at the pill. "I'm not taking it," she said. "Trevor, do you really hate the idea of me carrying your child that much?"

Shock flashed across his face, and his fingers curled tighter around the pill. "You actually want a baby?"

Every shift in his reaction did not escape Elyse, and her voice carried a sharp edge. "What's the problem? You've always claimed you like kids, haven't you?"

"You're still too young. If you get pregnant now, you have to pull back from your job. What about all the endorsement deals you've signed? And both of us are tied up with work all the time. Who's going to raise the child?"

"Stop feeding me those hollow reasons," she retorted. "Answer me properly. If I walk away from my career just to have your child, will you accept it?"

For a moment, Trevor simply looked at her, uncertainty and struggle written all over his face. Reaching for her hand, he placed the pill into her palm and softened his tone as he tried to persuade her. "Now isn't the right moment. Just wait a little longer for me."

Something heavy pressed down on Elyse's chest, making each breath feel tight. She pulled her hand back from him. "Forget it," she said, her voice turning cold. "If you don't want a baby, then there won't be one."

Without another word, she shoved the pill into her mouth and forced herself to swallow. The bitterness spread instantly, and tears slipped down her face without a sound.

Seeing that, Trevor's expression eased. He lifted his hand, wanting to wipe her tears away, but she jerked back.

Right then, his phone started ringing. His hand stalled in the air. After a brief hesitation, worry about something urgent from his team pushed him to answer the call.

"Hello, is this Mr. Trevor Blake?" the voice on the other end asked in a rush. "Your wife just collapsed in the obstetrics department. You need to get here immediately."

The words made Trevor pull the phone away as he checked the caller ID, only to realize it was Joanna Kirk's number.

Concern swept across his face in an instant. Turning around, he rushed toward the door while saying through the phone, "I'm heading there now. Please make sure she..."

The door clicked shut, cutting off the rest of his words. Elyse remained rooted in place. His wife? The obstetrics department? Those words should have belonged to her and Trevor, yet now they pointed to another woman. He already had a child with another woman. What place was left for her in all of this?

A sudden wave of nausea twisted Elyse's stomach. She covered her mouth and hurried into the bathroom. With nothing in her stomach, all she could bring up was the bitter taste of the pill she had forced down earlier.

Shock crossed Anthony's face the moment he arrived to pick her up and saw how drained she looked. "What happened to you?" he asked, worry clear in his voice.

Too worn out to go into details, Elyse only shook her head. She pushed her suitcase into his hands. "We're leaving," she said, her voice faint. "Bring a few people later to move the rest of my things."

Stunned by her words, Anthony grabbed the suitcase and followed after her. "You're seriously leaving Captain Blake for good? I thought things would calm down between you two after last night. How did everything fall apart like this?"

Since Elyse had an important ad shoot lined up for the day, she pressed a warm towel against her eyes the moment she settled into the car.

Anxious thoughts ran through Anthony's mind. No one understood better than him how deeply Elyse cared for Trevor. Back when they first got together, the company tried to force Elyse to end things with Trevor. In response, Elyse had slammed a termination contract and a blank check to cover the penalty onto the CEO's desk.

"Anthony, I'm filing for divorce," Elyse said, her tone stripped of emotion. "Don't ask me about it right now. I don't feel like explaining. Just find someone to draft a divorce agreement. I'll walk away with nothing."

Elyse had spent the entire day on set. By the time she finished, she noticed more than ten missed calls from Laurie Blake on her phone.

Her already frayed nerves from a long day were now stretched to their breaking point.

Laurie was Trevor's mother. When she was younger, she had been quite famous in Elerith—graceful, gentle, and admired by many. After marrying into the Blake family, she rose to prominence among the elite social circle of Elerith.

Laurie had never held a favorable opinion of women like Elyse, who were part of the entertainment world. In her eyes, Elyse was unworthy of her son and brought shame to the Blake family's reputation.

After they got married, Trevor seldom took Elyse back to Blake Manor unless there was no other choice, as his family never welcomed her kindly.

Before, Elyse had chosen to tolerate everything to spare Trevor any awkwardness, reminding herself that they were his family and she simply had to endure it.

But now, everything had changed. She was already preparing to leave Trevor. Since he had betrayed her, why should she continue to endure any slight for his sake?

At that moment, her phone rang. It was Laurie again.

Elyse picked up the call, and Laurie's reproachful voice came through instantly. "Why are you only answering now? Do you have any idea how many times I've tried calling you today? Are you really that occupied?"

"Yes, I've been busy. What do you need?" Elyse replied, tone flat.

It was the first time Elyse had addressed Laurie this way, catching her off guard. Unable to find any fault with it, Laurie suppressed her reaction and went straight to the point. "Come to Blake Manor immediately. I have something to discuss with you."

"Alright. Anything else?" Elyse responded indifferently.

"What kind of tone is that?" Laurie demanded sharply.

Elyse gave a mocking laugh. She had only shown a hint of impatience, yet Laurie already couldn't handle it. All this time, she had been mistreated and slighted at Blake Manor.

"If that's all, I'm hanging up now." With those words, Elyse disconnected the call.

"It's been three years of marriage, and she still refuses to acknowledge you as family?" Anthony huffed, indignant on Elyse's behalf.

"Yeah, but I'll be divorced soon. Whether she accepts me or not won't matter anymore," Elyse replied casually.

"So, are you still planning to go to Blake Manor?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I? I want to see what she's up to this time."

At ten that evening, Elyse reached Blake Manor. Unlike the anxiety she usually felt coming here, she was remarkably calm tonight.

The housekeeper opened the door and immediately spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "What kept you so long to come here? Your mother-in-law is about to retire for the night."

In the past, Elyse would have swallowed the slight without a word, mindful that the housekeeper held a special place in Trevor's life. But that version of her no longer existed.

Elyse rolled her eyes. Her voice turned cool and cutting. "Then I'll take my leave now. She could've said so during the phone call. I was told to come right away, but now that I'm here, you're telling me it's her bedtime. Does she find messing with me funny?"

"You..." The housekeeper faltered, clearly caught off guard. Seeing that Elyse was actually about to get back in her car and leave, she quickly said, "Mrs. Blake, I was just joking! Your mother-in-law is still inside, waiting for you!"

Elyse cast the housekeeper an indifferent glance before stepping past her, unwilling to waste energy on someone who thrived on minor authority.

The moment Elyse stepped into the foyer, the sound of laughter drifted from the living room. Laurie and a young woman were chatting and laughing about Trevor's childhood.

A faint sneer touched Elyse's lips. Clearly, Laurie was still intent on introducing a better match for her son. It was nothing new.

Yet this time, Elyse felt none of the unease that once haunted her. She walked in with ease, her pace confident.

The instant Elyse stepped into the living room, the atmosphere shifted. The smiles on both women's faces disappeared, and Laurie didn't bother concealing her disdain.

"You finally decided to show up? What could possibly keep you so occupied? You could never look after Trevor properly," Laurie spat, her expression sour.

Elyse didn't bother to hide the sarcasm on her face. "Trevor isn't a toddler in need of supervision. Do you see him as someone incapable of handling himself?" She glanced at the young woman. "Is she meant to be the maid you hired for him?"

"Mind your words, Elyse! What gives you the right to talk about my son like that?" Laurie snapped, her voice rising.

Elyse's defiance struck a nerve. Furious, Laurie seized her coffee mug and flung it at Elyse without hesitation. Elyse reacted quickly, lifting her arm to shield herself, but the scalding liquid still splashed across her skin, sending a sharp burn through her hand.

This time, Elyse wasn't about to take it lying down. Without missing a beat, she grabbed a cup nearby and threw it down forcefully at Laurie's feet.

The cup hit the floor with a sharp crack, breaking apart instantly as fragments scattered across the floor.