Chapter 15

Chapter15

Eleanor gasped, instinctively pulling the blanket tighter around her. She turned to face Nathaniel with a scowl, but his expression was equally displeased. The tension between them was palpable, more like adversaries than a married couple.

"Leave. I'm going to sleep," she finally said, breaking the silence.

To her surprise, Nathaniel didn't argue. He turned on his heel, but before exiting, he tossed over his shoulder, "Keep your schedule clear tomorrow afternoon."

"Why?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

He didn't answer.

Eleanor's jaw tightened. "If this is about making me apologize to Isabella, forget it."

Nathaniel paused, confirming her suspicion.

Her fists clenched.

"Eleanor, she's your sister," he said flatly.

"I don't have a sister. And she tripped on her own. Why should I apologize for something I didn't do?"

"Did you do anything to help her?" he shot back, a smirk playing on his lips. "With your position, how could you stoop so low?"

"Right, because I'm just some backwater nobody, aren't I?" she sneered. "You're right. Ten years in the countryside made me rough around the edges. I'll never be the refined lady you wanted."

"Mr. Carter, I bet you're regretting this marriage now. After all, who'd want a crude woman to carry their heir?"

His eyes hardened. "What are you implying?"

"Exactly what you think," Eleanor shot back, holding his gaze. "But I won't apologize to Isabella. If you're so ashamed of me, you can—"

"Eleanor Thompson, choose your next words carefully," Nathaniel interrupted, his voice low and dangerous.

She fell silent, her fists trembling.

Nathaniel gave her one last look before storming out, slamming the door so hard the walls shook.

Eleanor unclenched her fists and sank into the chair by her desk. She opened the drawer and pulled out a document—divorce papers, the title glaring back at her. She flipped to the last page, where her signature already sat, waiting. But she couldn't bring herself to hand it over.

She knew Nathaniel despised her. Their marriage was nothing more than a duty to fulfill his late father's wishes. He didn't love Isabella either, but their childhood bond was enough for him to defend her.

As for Eleanor, she had no place in his life—not even as a friend. Yet, despite it all, she still loved him. She couldn't forget the night he'd saved her from drowning at that fateful dinner party.

But now, as she stared at the divorce papers, she wondered if love was enough to keep them together.",