Chapter 30

Chapter30

As soon as Eleanor finished speaking, Nathaniel released her arm.

He had dismissed her first mention of divorce as a moment of frustration, but this was the second time.

It no longer felt like a joke.

"Eleanor, what are you saying?" Isabella struggled to suppress her smile, though she managed to feign shock. "How can you talk about divorce so casually? You and Nathaniel..."

Eleanor ignored her, her gaze fixed on Clara.

Clara recovered quickly. "Are you threatening me, Eleanor?" Her reaction mirrored Nathaniel's from days ago.

Eleanor laughed softly and shook her head. "No, I'm not. I'm serious."

She turned to Nathaniel. "We don't love each other. There's nothing binding us together. There's no point in prolonging this marriage. We should just end it."

Before Clara could respond, Victoria interjected, "No! I won't allow this!"

She had hoped Eleanor would show some respect to Clara. She hadn't expected to walk into this scene.

Victoria stepped forward. "Marriage is sacred. You can't make such decisions lightly. Your union was arranged two decades ago. You can't just—"

"Are you sure?" Nathaniel interrupted, his question directed at Eleanor.

"Yes, I'm sure," Eleanor replied calmly.

"Fine. Don't regret this."

"When are we going to the courthouse?"

Both spoke with unsettling composure.

Victoria's expression darkened. "Nathaniel Carter!"

"Mom." Before Nathaniel could respond, Eleanor turned to Victoria. "Thank you for your care and kindness over the past two years. Truthfully... I've been considering this for a while now."

"You once told me that love and marriage require long-term effort, but I think I've given it everything I have. Maybe we're just not meant to be."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but as Nathaniel's mother, you'd want him to be happy, wouldn't you? You should be happy for him now."

Victoria was at a loss for words.

Eleanor stepped back. "I'll take my leave now. Goodbye."

With that, she turned and walked away. Her composure suggested she had been contemplating this decision for some time, making it easier to sever ties today.

Victoria pursed her lips.

"I'll... I'll go check on Eleanor. Goodbye, Grandma Clara."

Realizing she shouldn't linger, Isabella quickly excused herself.

Victoria turned to Nathaniel. "Are you satisfied now?"

"You heard her. This was her decision," Nathaniel replied.

Victoria laughed bitterly. "Yes, she made the decision. And what about you? What have you done for your marriage? Or does it have nothing to do with you?"

She didn't wait for his response. "I know you don't love Eleanor, but I thought you'd at least have some sense of responsibility. You disappoint me, Nathaniel Carter."

Nathaniel chuckled dryly. "Is there anything I've done that hasn't disappointed you, Mom?"

Eleanor walked out of the hospital swiftly.

Isabella was quick to spread the news."