Chapter 2
Eloise was the illegitimate daughter of the Claire family in California. Her mother had once been the patriarch’s first love. But under family pressure, he’d married a more “suitable” woman, even though her mother was already pregnant
at the time.
Before she died, Eloise’s mother made him promise to take care of her. Eloise still remembered how stunned and small she felt the first time she saw Claire’s manor.
It looked like a palace. A place that had trapped her mother-and now, trapped her too.
No one in the Claire family liked her. Even the maids called her a bastard. Yvonne Claire, the daughter of the official wife, had bullied her since childhood.
Later, Eloise’s father forced her into an arranged marriage with the son of the Bronner family-a man rumored to be hideously ugly-just to keep Yvonne from being married off instead.
She stared at the WhatsApp contact her father sent her, fingers trembling slightly. Then she steeled herself and tapped “Add to contact.”
Leon was possessive and controlling. Even if he didn’t love her, he wouldn’t let her go. The only way out was to mar- ry someone else.
She typed, “Hi, I’m Eloise.”
No reply. She blinked, confused, then felt a light tap on her shoulder.
“Hey!”
She turned. It was the same sweet-faced young woman from the airport. Pale, too pale-like illness clung to her skin.
“I’m Aurelie. What’s your name?”
“Eloise.”
“Don’t be sad, okay? Everything passes eventually. I’ve been through a lot too, and I got through it.”
Eloise’s anxious heart settled a little. She stared out the window, dazed, watching the clouds drift by. Today was Leon’s birthday. She’d traveled back overnight from another state just to celebrate with him. She hadn’t slept at all.
But earlier, he’d told her he didn’t have time to pick her up. Her thumb rubbed absently along the edge of her phone as she followed the crowd off the plane.
Then-a voice. It sounded too familiar.
“Ellie.”
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Chapter 2
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Eloise’s head snapped up. Not far ahead, Leon stood in a black suit, waving at Aurelie Berna. His face was soft, and his gaze was warm, resembling still water in the sun.
Eloise’s heart dropped. Her hand clenched tightly around the hem of her dress. “Didn’t he say he didn’t have time?” she thought.
As Eloise stood frozen, Leon-like he sensed something-suddenly looked in her direction. The moment he saw her, his brows drew together in a faint frown.
“Come here, Eloise.” His tone left no room for argument, and she forced herself forward.
The moment Aurelie saw her, she blinked in surprise, then broke into a big, bright smile. “Oh, it’s you! You must be Leon’s girlfriend, right?”
Eloise stared at her for a second. “And you’re…”
Before Leon could answer, Aurelie jumped in. “I’m his cousin.”
Leon frowned but didn’t say anything.
When they got to the car, Aurelie offered to take the back seat. Eloise nodded and was just about to climb into the passenger seat when Leon stopped her.
“Sit in the back. Ellie’s not feeling well. It’s uncomfortable back there.”
He looked serious and calm, like it was nothing. Eloise hesitated, then slowly stepped back and didn’t say a word. But the bitter taste in her mouth wouldn’t fade.
She got carsick easily, and Leon knew that. In their three years together, she had never once sat in the back seat.
The tension thickened. Aurelie quickly tried to ease it, chirping about games they could play at the birthday dinner later.
Eloise just sat there, silent.
Leon frowned again, glancing over at her. “What’s with you today? Why are you being so off?”
A sharp pain stabbed through her chest, like someone had rammed a knife right in. He knew she didn’t like crowds. He’d always known…
Outside the window, rain started to fall. Typical southern weather-changing in a blink.
Then her phone rang. It was her father. “Elle, clear out your things from the room. The new maid needs a place to stay.”
The Claire’s manor had more rooms than anyone could count. And they couldn’t spare even one?
Silence filled the car. Stifling. Eloise felt heat rising in her cheeks, like someone had slapped her hard.
She closed her eyes. Exhausted.
“I want to get out.”
