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.

Laurie let out a startled scream.

"Elyse, what's gotten into you?" Trevor's voice rang out as he stepped in, immediately taking in the chaos before him.

The moment Laurie saw him, she immediately said, "Trevor, look at your wife! She actually raised her hand against me!"

Elyse stood there, her gaze distant and emotionless as she looked at the mother and son. The accusation in Trevor's eyes told her everything she needed to know. There would be no point in explaining. Without another word, she turned toward the exit.

Near the doorway, Trevor caught up to Elyse and grabbed her wrist—his grip landing right on her fresh burn. Her skin was already inflamed from the burn, yet he didn't notice at all.

A tightness rose in Elyse's throat, and her vision blurred as tears threatened to spill. She bit down hard on her lip, forcing the tears back. Lifting her chin, she met his gaze with quiet defiance.

Trevor looked at her as though she were a stranger. The Elyse he remembered had always been obedient, always showering him with affection regardless of how distant he was. "Elyse..."

Before he could continue, Elyse interrupted, her voice cutting through the air. "Shouldn't you be accompanying Joanna to her prenatal appointment today?"

That single question was enough to reveal that she knew about Joanna, and she had seen the message.

Trevor's expression tightened. A hint of unease flashed across his eyes. He instinctively tried to hold onto her, but she wrenched her hand free without hesitation.

It hit Trevor then—this wasn't a fleeting outburst. Elyse truly meant to leave him.

"I can explain. It's not what you're imagining," Trevor said, panic creeping into his voice.

Elyse stepped back, putting distance between them. Her tone turned icy. "Trevor, whatever she is to you doesn't concern me. What matters is that she's pregnant with your child. I won't accept betrayal. Let's end this marriage. Don't push me to despise you completely."

Laurie came out just in time to catch Elyse's words, her expression instantly brightening with excitement. "Trevor, is that true? Who's having your baby? That's fantastic news! Since Elyse is asking for a divorce, you should agree right away!"

A hollow smile tugged at Elyse's lips. She had expected this—his mother had been waiting for the day they ended things.

"Mom, can you stop picking on Elyse all the time? She wouldn't have reacted like this unless you crossed the line. And for the record, I have no intention of divorcing her," Trevor said firmly.

Elyse stared at Trevor with her reddened eyes. A dull ache spread through her chest, as if something inside was being carved away piece by piece. So he had always known what she endured, yet chose not to intervene. Perhaps to him, the peaceful facade was what mattered the most, even if it meant she suffered from mistreatment.

At this point, whatever fragile hope Elyse had left for Trevor was completely gone. Without hesitation, she turned and walked away.

Trevor moved to follow, but Laurie blocked his way. She held Trevor's arm and launched into a tirade. "The entire family opposed your marriage to Elyse. But you ignored us and married her behind our backs. What could she even bring to the table? She is all looks and no substance!"

Trevor tuned out her words and pulled his arm free from her grip before rushing after Elyse.

The moment Trevor was gone, Laurie wasted no time making a call for an investigation. If there really was another woman carrying his child, she intended to bring the woman into the Blake household without delay, no matter her background. Trevor's grandmother had long been waiting for a great-grandchild and would never allow a Blake descendant to remain outside the family. Once that woman entered Blake Manor, Elyse would be more than determined to leave Trevor.