Chapter 60

Nathaniel remained silent, his stoic expression giving nothing away. Without his explicit command, Ethan naturally ignored Eleanor's request to stop the car.

Eleanor's fists clenched tighter, her nails digging into her palms. She knew Nathaniel didn't care about her. To him, she was likely nothing more than a pawn, a woman with no dignity left to preserve. Yet, despite everything, she still wanted to hold onto the last shred of pride she had left.

It didn't matter if he looked down on her, mocked her, or despised her like everyone else. She just wanted to step out of that car with her head held high, even if it was for the last time.

But even this small request seemed too much to ask. Without Nathaniel's word, Ethan continued driving, the car moving steadily toward an unknown destination.

Eleanor wanted to say something, to plead with him, but her phone rang, cutting through the tense silence. The name on the screen was exactly who she had expected.

"Eleanor, get back here right now!" Edward's furious voice exploded through the phone, shattering the fragile calm in the car.

Eleanor wasn't surprised. She simply ended the call and turned her gaze back to Nathaniel, her eyes pleading silently.

Before she could speak, Nathaniel's voice cut through the air, cold and commanding. "To the Harrison residence."

Her heart sank, but she quickly masked her emotions. She lowered her gaze and let out a soft, bitter laugh. Of course. He wouldn't even grant her the smallest mercy.

Back when they were married, the Harrisons had hidden the truth from him. Though they were divorced now, once the rumors started spreading, his name would inevitably be dragged through the mud. And Nathaniel Carter despised nothing more than being associated with scandal.

"Eleanor!"

The moment she stepped out of the car, Isabella rushed toward her, her expression a mix of concern and thinly veiled hostility. Her sharp eyes immediately landed on Nathaniel, and she quickly adjusted her tone.

"Nathaniel, why are you here? Did you... bring Eleanor here?" Her gaze flicked toward Eleanor as she spoke, a hint of something darker lurking beneath her polite facade.

But Eleanor didn't even spare Isabella a glance. She brushed past her and headed inside, her steps steady despite the storm brewing within.

Isabella reached for Nathaniel's hand, her voice softening. "Nathaniel, don't go in yet. Daddy is furious tonight. I've never seen him this angry before."

Eleanor wasn't walking particularly fast, so she naturally overheard Isabella's words. But even then, her footsteps didn't falter. She moved toward the light, her silhouette unwavering, as if she were unafraid of whatever awaited her.

Nathaniel's brows furrowed slightly as he watched her, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features.

Isabella continued, her voice trembling with feigned guilt. "I'm sorry, Nathaniel. We all knew we shouldn't have kept this from you. We should have told you before you and Eleanor got married, but she begged us not to say a word. As her sister, I had no choice."

She looked up at him, her eyes red and pleading. "Nathaniel, you... don't blame me, do you?"

He lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable as he briefly met her tearful eyes. "No," he said simply.

"You ungrateful wretch!"

The moment Eleanor stepped into the house, Edward's hand came down hard across her face. The force of the slap sent her reeling, her ears ringing and the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth. But Edward wasn't done.

He grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it at her, his rage unchecked. The porcelain shattered against the wall, missing her by inches, but the message was clear.

Eleanor stood her ground, her chin lifted defiantly, even as the world around her seemed to crumble.