After four years of a loveless marriage, Eleanor is blindsided by her husband Arthur's abrupt decision to divorce her. The convenient arrangement that had suited them both had, seemingly, run its course. As Eleanor struggles to come to terms with the end of their marriage, she can't help but feel discarded - a pawn replaced by Arthur's rekindled flame, a woman from his past. But just as Eleanor is starting to rebuild her life, Arthur drops a bombshell: he wants her back. His reasons are unclear, but one thing is certain - His regret.
View MoreELEANOR—
- As I lay on the bed, enveloped in my husband's warmth, I nestle my back deeply into his arms, feeling his gentle grip on my waist as he pulls me closer. Soft, tender kisses dance across my skin, sending shivers down my spine. The blood-boiling sex we shared still resonates, the lingering sensations on my skin and between my legs a reminder of our loving encounter. His arms around me tighten more and his lips press on the bane of my shoulder igniting more warmth in my body. His lips move to my neck where he kisses me passionately and excitedly and then moves to my cheeks where he places the last few kisses before letting his mouth leave me. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t want to melt into Arthur and absorb his entirety. Surprisingly this time his touch feels more intimate than before, more secure, and more enthusiastic. It’s not unlike Arthur to touch me or kiss me, but tonight just feels different— different in a way that keeps me satisfied and pleasure-filled. I can feel love from his fingertips. The way his hand remains firm on my waist like a perfect puzzle piece that needs to perfect my body. I lean into him and he collects me even more. The room is silent with only our heavy breathing entertaining the night. I love this feeling, this moment. Our marriage isn’t one for the books, one look at us and a person can tell how distant we are as a married couple. But tonight, I feel like tonight changed things. I can’t explain it in literal meaning but the way Arthur touched me. I’m so glad we’ve become that loving couple I’ve always wanted us to be. To be in our matrimonial home and feel as though we are one. I feel Arthur’s breathing on my neck before he softly calls my name. His thick voice vibrates in his chest. “El,” he calls. He calls me El short for Eleanor and I think it’s the most lovely word I’ve ever heard in my entire life. “Hmm?” I reply gently, matching his tone. I listen to him breathe out another exhausted sigh. “Let’s get a divorce” Arthur adds softly and I pause. I did not hear wrong. “What?” I hear myself asking. My throat starts to feel clogged. “I don’t— I don’t understand” I swallow. “Brianna is back in Manhattan and I think it’s for the best. I am presently preparing the papers.” Brianna? Her name rings a thousand bells but I don’t need a divine entity to tell me she’s the woman she actually wants and not me. I hate how soft his voice is, I hate how coated and calm he’s sounding when he’s brewing such a storm in my ears like this. No one is supposed to sound casual filing for a divorce. A divorce. After all, we just had? I don’t speak— it’s not that I don’t know what to say, I do, But my voice feels like it’s frozen and it’s being stung by thousands of bees. His hands around my waist shift to sit there properly and I realize we’re both naked, in each others’ hands and he is propelling a divorce. What did I expect? I should have seen this coming—No, I did see it coming! Our marriage is like many others - built on respect and a harmonious home life. Though with less intimacy. And I couldn't forget, that this union was a transaction, an arrangement born of circumstance rather than love. I have to remember my position in this carefully constructed life. I shouldn’t get pierced by a divorce I saw coming. I just thought he’d love me enough one day. I have been stupid! What we had was a marriage of convenience, You get what you see and leave. Four years ago while my life was at a crossroads, fate brought an unexpected opportunity to my doorstep: marriage to Arthur Newton. At the time, Arthur was fighting a debilitating battle with severe skin ulceration, a cruel consequence of a malicious act by a business rival who had secretly laced his drink with a harmful substance. The Newtons' reputation had suffered greatly due to Arthur's illness, and his family was willing to pay a hefty price to anyone who would agree to marry him. I knew at the back of my mind that one day we would come to an end and our marriage was only based on materialistic yearning. I’ll never be close to what Arthur had with Brianna, even as his wife, even after four years of being married and being free of his skin illness. Was loving each other only from my end then? I didn’t imagine this, right? I cannot deny my sudden broken heart— shattered even. But this was all for business. I release Arthur’s hand from my waist and get on my feet, pulling the bed’s duvet to cover my naked body. “Alright then” I nod, trying to sound normal. “I’ll await the divorce papers” Arthur’s expression goes stoic. “Where are you going?” He looks at me as if I’m committing a crime but his voice remains careful and warm. “I think I should leave, It will be— “It’s already late, stay for the night, you can leave tomorrow” he adjusts his broad body on the bed, his voice polite and gentle. I nod and avoid eye contact. Gently, I lay back on the bed and try to push the lump in my throat but it’s not working. Arthur turns around with his back facing me and I let my lips quiver. He switches off the night table light and my eyes start to sting in the room’s darkness. We’re both quiet and I try my best not to let my breathing sound haggard. I think Arthur is asleep but I’m proved wrong when he starts to speak. “Eleanor?” His voice is almost like a whisper that I almost didn’t catch. “Yes?” I turn to face his back in the darkness. “Who is Leon?” He asks. I stop breathing. How did he know about Leon? Trying to process my words, my mind, and why and how he knows about a person who seems like a figment of time in my life, clogs my throat, and before I can reply Arthur speaks up. His voice starts to come out solemn and low. “Well, I’m sorry for taking up four years of your life, I hope you will be happy in the future. Goodnight Eleanor,” ——ARTHUR.-“Would you like to ask Ms. Brianna Brown about what happened?” Liam asks, his voice cutting through my thoughts like a dull knife.Ask Brianna?I scoff without thinking. The sound comes out sharp and automatic, laced with disbelief.There’s no point. I know her. She’ll lie. She’ll twist her words into something that sounds believable, maybe even sympathetic, but it won’t be the truth. I can already see the tilt of her head, the innocent eyes, the careful pause before she spins the narrative.“I don’t need her version,” I say coldly. “Send me the surveillance file.”Liam nods and steps away. Moments later, a soft buzz pings my phone. The file arrives, waiting. I tap the screen, thumb hovering over the play button, but something in me holds back. I don’t open it.Not yet.The sterile scent of the hospital hangs in the air, sharp and too clean. The hallway feels too quiet until the heavy double doors at the end burst open.Eleanor.She’s wheeled out of the operating room, her
ELEANOR’s POV-—I shouldn’t have let myself slip again.The realization settles like a heavy stone in my stomach, cold and unforgiving. Arthur had abandoned me long ago, and tonight’s fleeting intimacy was nothing more than a product of his desire—a moment of weakness on my part, a mistake. I shouldn’t have let myself be fooled by this false sweetness, shouldn’t have let my heart tangle itself in the illusion that it meant something.The kisses, the touches— I drown them I bite the inside of my cheek as I pull out the photo from his wallet again, my fingers trembling slightly. The wedding picture of us stares back at me, mocking me with the innocence we once had. I bury my hope, finally.I exhale sharply and slide the wallet back into his coat. I stare at the coat, with bitterness, like it’s a person and it has done me wrong.I don’t care. I don’t care if he comes home tonight or not. I’ll enjoy the tomato soup I prepared and have a good night's sleep.And Tomorrow, I’ll return
–ELEANOR-I can’t ignore the sadness gnawing at my gut or the tinge of self-loathing for giving in to Arthur’s kiss.At the mere mention of Brianna, he’s already leaving.It's not the first but it feels worse this time because we were in the middle of something intimate, something we didn't let ourselves fully explore in our marital years. It hurts and it sucks so bad."I'll be back soon." Arthur's voice is softer than usual, almost hesitant. The words linger in the air between us, and despite my efforts to ignore them, I'm forced to look at him."Wait for me." His eyes search mine, the plea in them unmistakable, but his tone carries the weight of an order.I don’t reply. Instead, I slip on my mask of nonchalance, the same one I always wear. It’s easier that way. If I let my guard down now, I might say something I’ll regret later.“Brianna has been admitted to the hospital. It’s an emergency,” he starts to explain himself “I’ll be back before you know it. I’ll wrap it up as soon as
CHAPTER 13—ELEANORArthur stares at me, his eyes deep and unreadable, a silent plea lingering between us. I don’t know what he wants me to say, but I feel the weight of it, pressing against my ribs. There’s a warmth in his gaze, something almost desperate, but there’s also an iciness, a hesitation that makes my stomach twist.I step forward. Brave, maybe foolish. But I want this—I want to see if the heat between us is real or just another fleeting illusion.He meets me halfway.Our lips collide, rough, searching, like we’ve both been starving for something we don’t know how to name. His fingers tangle in my hair, gripping, pulling me closer until I feel the heat of his breath mix with mine. A small gasp escapes me when his teeth graze my bottom lip, and he takes the sound as permission. His hands find my waist, pressing me against him, his body warm and solid against mine.It’s intoxicating. He’s intoxicating.Arthur shifts, his grip firm but not forceful as he presses me back agains
—ELEANOR-I don’t want to kiss Arthur. I have no intention to.We are getting a divorce and this kiss— this moment will only push us and hurt us in an unbridled way.My head is saying no but my body is submitting to his lips on mine, creating an apocalypse that I cannot fathom.I open my mouth and welcome him in, and our bodies collide, sending electric shocks through my nerves.The kiss leaves me breathless, my mind spinning, my body betraying me in ways I refuse to acknowledge.Just the two of us, inside this elevator, this limited space that only us can feel. My fingers still tremble from where they had clung to Arthur’s shirt, as if anchoring myself to reality, to something tangible. But reality is a cruel thing.Arthur pulls away slightly, his breath warm against my lips. His sharp eyes, always unreadable, soften just enough to make my stomach twist. As he catches his breath, he asks the question that makes my heart stumble.“Do you regret marrying me?”The words hit me harder
—ELEANOR. -The air feels thick as I step out of Justin’s car, my pulse quickening. Arthur stands in front of Cindy’s apartment building, his presence impossible to ignore. His sharp gaze flicks to me, then shifts to Justin as we approach.His tired hazel eyes don't fail to show how obnoxious he finds the duo in front of him.He proceeds to glare at Justin.Justin, ever composed, greets him politely. “Mr. Newton, CEO of HT Global Enterprise, it’s an honor to meet you.” His voice is smooth, respectful—but firm. It’s no surprise he recognizes Arthur.Arthur is a big shot. Justin reaches into his pocket with practiced ease, retrieving a sleek business card between his fingers. With a smooth motion, he hands it over, his lips curving into a confident smile.“I’m Justin Cent, director of Melodias Music School,” he announces, his voice carrying the crisp professionalism of a man who knows his name holds weight. “I didn’t expect to run into you tonight, not in a city this vast. Meeting A
—ELEANORThe night is still young, but exhaustion weighs on my limbs as I watch my colleagues gather their things. The company dinner we just had, had been nothing short of indulgent, and I can still feel the satisfying heaviness in my stomach from the rich food.Despite the lingering warmth of laughter and conversation, I have no desire to linger. The urge to slip away unnoticed pulls at me.I reach for my bag, pulling it close as I lower my head, ready to disappear into the night before anyone notices.But a familiar voice calling out my name makes me freeze.“Eleanor”I turn slightly, finding Justin, the school’s music director— my boss— standing a few feet away, hands tucked casually into his pockets. He’s watching me with that easy, confident smile of his.“Justin” I say awkwardly, He approaches me. “Let me drive you home.”I immediately start to shake my head. “Ah… you don’t have to,” I say, keeping my voice light but firm. “I can manage.”“It’s okay, it’s nothing,
—ARTHUR When I get back to the company, my assistant Liam is already waiting for me in my office. His expression is neutral, but I can tell he doesn’t have the answer I want.“Sir, I checked thoroughly. Justin has no known alias named Leon.”I nod, dismissing him with a wave, but frustration churns inside me. I hate how I’m feeling so wormy on the inside about all of this. So unsettled.The image of Eleanor smiling at the damn director strikes my mental screen and I curse under my breath.Agitated, I pull out my phone and call Klaus.He’s what one would call a best friend. I hardly befriend people. Klaus is an exception.“I need a drink,” I say the moment he picks up.Klaus lets out a short laugh. “You? Something must be up, what bee has stung you?” “I’m not in the mood for jokes.” I sigh.“Fine, fine. I’ll meet you at the usual spot.” He says, his tone dropping with ornery.**By the time I arrive at the bar of one of the exclusive hotels in town, Klaus is already there, two glas
—ARTHUR.-Last night was a mess. An off-the-counter kind of mess.I was drunk and disheveled and Brianna came onto me and decided to kiss me in the most back-hurting position where I couldn’t break it off easily and as fast as possible and Eleanor just had to walk in on us.I hate that she saw us like that, and I hate the way she stormed off.That incident still infuriates me today, and nothing will deter me from having a conversation with Eleanor. I'll even cut my meeting short if necessary to make sure I get the chance to talk to her.Feeling more than sobered up, I get into my car and make my way to Melodia Music School.I am confronting Eleanor right now and nothing’s going to stop that.I detest misunderstanding.I pull up in front of The school and make my way into the school building not caring if my car gets towed with my wrong parking.I haven’t been here before, I don’t know where these halls lead to and I don’t know where Eleanor’s office is.As I make my way down the hall
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