3
780words
Suddenly, someone let out a mocking laugh,
"Who would have thought the picture-perfect Cunninghams would have their issues. Seems like Mrs. Cunningham's in for a rough time."
The girl didn't even try to hide the scorn in her tone.
I knew—they'd been waiting for this day like this for a long time.
I was never really part of their circle to begin with.
People associated with me only because I was Alexander's wife.
Alexander respected me, so they pretended to respect me.
Now that Alexander was gone, I became a target for everyone’s judgment and gossip.
I didn't back down.
Facing their mocking or pitying stares, I straightened my spine and calmly asked the butler to see the guests out.
Later, outside my room, I found Alexander and Chloe.
Chloe was huddled tearfully in Alexander's arms while he comforted her patiently.
When he saw me, he commanded without hesitation, "Eleanor, apologize to Chloe now. You hurt her feelings."
Honestly,I didn't understand.
Is depression some kind of all-powerful conditions?
Did having depression give someone the right to demand yield to them and hand over everything they want?
What I understood even less was how quickly Alexander could change.
Just yesterday, I was the love of his life.
Today, he was trampling my dignity underfoot.
Even demanding that I apologize to the other woman.
I stared back at him impassively, as if looking at a complete stranger.
Chloe tugged Alexander's sleeve, sobbing,
"Don't, Alex, it's not Eleanor's fault. It's me... I'm too sensitive. Someone like me... I don't deserve to be around anyone. Maybe... maybe I should just move out. I feel awful causing trouble between you."
Alexander frowned, comforting her,
“Nonsense, you're fine. The most important thing now is stabilizing your condition, moving past the Sinclair family mess. Eleanor and I will both be here to help you."
He decided my stance for me without asking again.
Chloe looked at him with tear-filled gratitude,"You're so good to me, Alex. You have no idea how lonely I've been abroad all these years."
"Mom and Dad were only focused on money and paying off debts. We drifted from place to place... no one cared, no one loved me..."
Her voice dropped to a fragile whisper, "I... I feel so lost, Alex... could you... could you just say you love me... just for now?"
"Uh..." Alexander froze, his eyes instantly darting to me.
I smirked faintly, a cold curl of my lips.
Alexander's expression darkened. He looked down at the hopeful Chloe in his arms, sighed, and murmured, "I love you."
Hearing the answer she wanted, Chloe threw herself joyfully into his arms, exclaiming:
"I knew you’d be the best to me, Alex! I love you too!"
She seemed innocent, but in the corner Alexander couldn't see, her eyes shot me—full of triumph and provocation.
All I felt was utter ridiculousness.
Chloe's ulterior motives were so obvious, yet everyone seemed blind, using her illness as an excuse to force her into my life.
If I refused, I was the one who wasn’t generous, who was selfish—even jealous of a sick woman.
In the end, the knife wasn't cutting them; it was easy to preach tolerance.
I didn’t want to argue anymoreg.
Coldly, I told Alexander, "From today, we sleep in separate rooms."
Alexander, still holding Chloe, stiffened. He looked at me, his expression complicated, "Eleanor..."
After calming Chloe down, Alexander knocked on my locked door.
"Eleanor, please come out. Let's talk?"
I didn't respond.
After a long silence, Alex actually climbed in through the balcony.
"Whew, that's a first," he landed on the windowsill, his gaze deep as he looked at me leaning against the bed.
"Eleanor, I'm sorry. I know I messed up today."
He walked over silently and pulled me into his arms.
"My heart belongs only to you. What I said to Chloe... I was just to comfort her..."
"Chloe is truly pitiful. You have no idea how bright and cheerful she used to be. Now, because of the Sinclair scandal... I can't just abandon her..."
"But no matter what, you're the only one I love. Once she's better, I'll send her away immediately. Just give me a little more time, okay?"
He lowered his head with a sigh.
His steady heartbeat against my ear, just as strong as every other time he'd made me a promise.
I pushed him away coldly, "How long?"
Alexander was silent for a long time before saying, "Six months?"
I laughed, asking him word by word, "Is that enough?"
"After all, you kept her hidden away for a whole year before and she didn't get better then, did she?"
