Chapter 85

The crisp autumn air carried a hint of nostalgia as Eleanor Thompson strolled through the bustling streets of downtown. The city was alive with the hum of activity, yet her mind was elsewhere, lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts. The recent events had left her in a state of emotional turmoil, and she needed a moment of solitude to gather her scattered thoughts.

As she turned the corner, her eyes caught sight of a quaint little bookstore nestled between two towering buildings. The sign above the door read "Whispering Pages," and something about it drew her in. The bell above the door chimed softly as she stepped inside, the scent of old books and freshly brewed coffee enveloping her senses.

Eleanor wandered through the aisles, her fingers brushing against the spines of countless books. Each one seemed to hold a story, a world waiting to be discovered. She paused at a shelf filled with graphic novels, her heart skipping a beat as she recognized the cover of her own work. It was a surreal feeling, seeing her art and words printed and bound, a testament to her journey as a creator.

"Eleanor Thompson, right?" a voice interrupted her reverie. She turned to see a young woman with bright eyes and a warm smile. "I'm a huge fan of your work. Your latest series has been such an inspiration to me."

Eleanor felt a flush of pride and gratitude. "Thank you," she replied, her voice soft but sincere. "It means a lot to hear that."

The young woman hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I was wondering... would you consider signing my copy? It would mean the world to me."

Eleanor nodded, her heart swelling with a sense of accomplishment. She took the proffered book and pen, her hand moving swiftly across the page as she inscribed a personal message. As she handed the book back, she couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. This was why she had poured her heart and soul into her work—to touch lives, to inspire, to connect.

Leaving the bookstore, Eleanor felt a lightness in her step that had been absent for weeks. The encounter had reminded her of the power of her art, the impact it could have on others. She knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but she was determined to face them head-on.

As she walked, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see a message from Nathaniel Carter. Her heart skipped a beat as she read his words, a mix of apprehension and hope swirling within her. She knew their relationship was complicated, fraught with past hurts and unspoken truths, but she couldn't deny the pull she felt towards him.

Taking a deep breath, she typed out a reply, her fingers trembling slightly. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready to confront it, to fight for the life and love she deserved. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city, and Eleanor felt a sense of peace settle over her. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, she felt ready to embrace it.

Eventually, Eleanor couldn't hold out any longer. Since she couldn't go to the room directly, she collapsed onto the couch to catch a brief nap.

When she woke up, the first thing she felt was the weight of a figure pressing down on her. Eleanor gasped in shock and instinctively opened her mouth to scream, but Nathaniel quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

It was only when his palm pressed down on her that Eleanor realized who it was. Her body, which had been rigid with tension, relaxed at once.

Nathaniel noticed the change and pressed his weight into her even more without hesitation, lowering his head to kiss her lips.

Eleanor could smell the alcohol on him. Just as she was about to pull away, he gripped her chin firmly and bit her lip.

The taste of champagne mingled with the kiss.

Combined with the overzealous energy Nathaniel was showing, Eleanor couldn't help but make a soft protest. She instinctively pushed against his chest, trying to create some distance.

But Nathaniel quickly seized her hand, his movements rough. His eyes locked onto hers, intense and unrelenting.

That look reminded Eleanor of a beast lying in wait in the darkness, and her heart skipped a beat.

However, she didn't choose to fight him head-on. Instead, she arched her body and kissed the corner of his mouth gently. Her soft, tender gesture was like a warm spring breeze, instantly dissolving the aggression in Nathaniel's demeanor.

Nathaniel's gaze remained fixed on her, but his movements slowed noticeably.

Eleanor took the initiative and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting out a soft hum as she did.

It was just like Nathaniel had said before—they were from different worlds and had never understood each other completely. But in some ways, they had always been perfectly in sync.

In the end, they ended up in bed.

Nathaniel gripped her waist, pressing his back against her chest, and asked, "Have you forgotten something?"

Eleanor felt like she was about to pass out from sheer exhaustion. Her head was spinning as she asked, "What?"

"You tell me."

Eleanor bit her lip and stayed silent.

Nathaniel waited for a while, but when she didn't make a move, he suddenly let go of her.

Eleanor's legs had lost all strength. She collapsed forward, her body still trembling slightly.

Nathaniel didn't say anything more. After staring at her for a moment, he turned and walked away.

Soon, Eleanor heard the sound of water running from the bathroom. Her eyes were already starting to close. But after a moment of pondering, she pushed herself up from the bed. Then, she opened the drawer of the nightstand.

Inside was the gift she had prepared for him.

It was a pair of delicate black and gold cufflinks. She had bought it the day before at the mall.

Eleanor's fingers lingered on the item, tracing its smooth edges as she hesitated. Finally, she made up her mind and turned toward the bathroom.

But just as she took a step, Nathaniel's phone, which was nearby, lit up.

Eleanor's steps slowed.

Back when she was still his wife, she had never once checked his phone. But now, seeing the screen flash briefly before dimming again, a surge of conflicting thoughts flooded her mind.

In the end, she walked over to it slowly.

She knew his password. As she entered the familiar string of numbers, a photo from an unknown number appeared on the screen.

It was a photo taken outside Carter Manor, and Nathaniel was tightly embracing a woman.

Even though Eleanor could only see the woman's back, she immediately recognized her.

It was Isabella.