Chapter 2

2

I collapsed at the airport.

The doctors said it was a combination of anemia and extreme emotional stress.

When I woke up, the airport staff had already taken me to a hospital.

The doctor treating me was a kind man who let me use his phone.

I knew this was it. I had to end things with Cillian for good.

"Help me prepare the divorce papers," I told my friend Beckett over the phone.

"I don't want anything except custody of the baby. Just send them to him for me."

Beckett was shocked by my sudden decision, but he tried to comfort me.

"Okay, Elara. We're done with him. You scared the hell out of me these past few days. I couldn't reach you at all."

"Just take care of yourself. I'll handle the legal side."

I checked myself out of the hospital as fast as I could.

I couldn't stay depressed. My daughter, Rosie, was only three months old.

I had to put all my energy into taking her with me. She was the only light left in my life.

To my surprise, Cillian called me right before I boarded my flight.

The phone rang and rang. I watched it in silence.

I waited until the call finally timed out.

A wave of relief washed over me, and I let out a genuine laugh.

This was the first time I had ever ignored his call.

It felt incredibly empowering to finally follow my own heart.

But I knew Cillian wouldn't let this go easily.

So, when I opened the front door of our house and saw his eyes red with rage, I wasn't surprised.

"Elara Vance, you've really outdone yourself this time."

"What?" I brushed past him coldly.

I kicked off my shoes and headed upstairs without a second glance.

Cillian couldn't stand being ignored.

He grabbed the heavy crystal ashtray from the coffee table and hurled it at me.

It struck me right in the temple.

Sharp pain exploded through my head, but my only thought was for my baby.

I couldn't go up there and scare Rosie looking like this.

Cillian seemed stunned by his own aim. His voice turned frantic.

"Elara! Are you okay? I didn't mean to... I was just frustrated. I'll get the first aid kit."

"The first aid kit?" I laughed despite the pain.

"Do you even know where it is? How many times have you actually been to this house?"

His sudden concern was almost insulting.

His heart had always belonged to Noelle. This version of him was a joke.

I found the kit in the storage closet, patched myself up, and went upstairs.

Cillian didn't say another word, but he followed me like a shadow.

In the nursery, my little angel was playing happily with her toys.

My heart ached at the sight of her.

She was so small, and she already had to deal with her parents splitting up.

I waited until Rosie drifted off to sleep before stepping back into the hallway.

"Have you looked at the divorce papers?" I asked, my voice dripping with boredom.

Cillian's eyes turned even redder.

"What the hell is wrong with you? We've been married for five years."

"You're not a child, Elara. I'm tired of these pathetic attention-seeking stunts."

"When are you going to grow up and be mature like Noelle?"

Noelle. Always Noelle.

I reached my breaking point and slapped the man who had wasted years of my life.

"Are you finished?" I snapped.

"Cillian, act like an adult for once. Those papers were drafted by a lawyer."

"You keep bringing up Noelle. Do you want me to have my lawyer look for evidence of your infidelity?"

"I've had enough of these years with you. I won't let my child suffer with a father like you."

"So please, stop throwing a tantrum in front of me. Okay?"

The aggressive man suddenly deflated.

He looked at me with disbelief, as if I were the one betraying him.

"Elara! How many times do I have to tell you? Noelle and I are just friends."

"Nothing happened between us! Why do you have to make a scene?"

"I know I messed up by not staying with you in New York. But Noelle... she was..."

Honestly, talking to him was a waste of breath.

I had zero interest in hearing about their great love story.

Jealousy was a dead emotion to me now. My heart was a pile of cold ash.

Cillian's little sparks couldn't start a fire in me anymore.

I walked into my bedroom and started packing my essentials.

He followed me in like a disgusting, persistent parasite.

Seeing the suitcase, he started his usual routine of blaming me.

"I've given you so many chances today, Elara. Why can't you just admit you're wrong and apologize?"

"Who are you trying to impress with this packing act? Give it a rest."

"If you keep this up, you can get the hell out of this house and never come back."

Thankfully, I had grown a spine.

The old me would have crawled to his feet like a dog, begging for forgiveness.

"I am leaving," I said without looking at him.

"Talk to my lawyer, Beckett, about the property division."

I didn't give him a single glance as I continued packing.

I was taking Rosie with me.

The Vance bloodline wouldn't be tainted by him, even if I once loved him more than life itself.