The CEO's Toxic Placeholder
Eleanor thought she was everything to Henry. For three years, she was his constant—his quiet support, his emotional anchor. But when the woman he truly loves returns to the city, everything shatters. “I’ve been chasing her ghost,” Henry confesses, leaving Eleanor to pick up the pieces of a love that was never hers to begin with.
In the glittering world of Manhattan’s elite, Eleanor finds herself trapped in a toxic relationship with a man who can’t let go of his past. After overhearing a conversation that reveals Henry’s betrayal, Eleanor is left questioning everything she thought she knew about love—and herself. With her heart shattered and her future uncertain, she turns to an unlikely solution: an arranged marriage to Jasper Blackwood, the stoic heir to a powerful family she’s known her whole life.
But leaving Henry isn’t as easy as it seems. Jasper’s steady presence stirs something in Eleanor, something she hasn’t felt in years—security, respect, and a growing attraction. Yet, the pull of her past refuses to loosen its grip. As Henry desperately tries to win her back, Eleanor must confront the deepest fears she’s kept buried: Will she ever truly be able to trust again? And, more importantly, can she move on from a love that never truly belonged to her?
In a world where wealth and power dominate, Eleanor’s journey to reclaim her self-worth is a battle she never saw coming. Will she finally choose herself—and the man who has always been there—or will her heart remain tethered to a past that can never be hers?
The choice is hers. But will it be enough to heal a heart shattered by betrayal?
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Chapter: Chapter 5“Wait—hold up, that’s a watch?” Quentin's voice pulled Eleanor out of her thoughts. His eyes flicked from the shopping bag in her hand to her face, his brows furrowed in surprise. She shrugged, not feeling like explaining. “Just picking up some things.” He eyed the bag again. “A gift for Henry?” It felt easier to nod than to lie. Quentin hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. “Eleanor… you don’t need to spend that much on him. Even their basic models go for fifteen grand. Henry—he’s not worth that.” She bristled at the words but didn’t say anything. No need to get into it. He didn’t know the full story. “Last night... he wasn’t exactly a gentleman, was he?” Quentin continued, his voice dropping as if he were choosing his words carefully. "He left with Vivienne right in front of everyone. I don’t know what game he’s playing, but—" Eleanor didn’t need to hear more. She already knew. Henry had made it clear—she was a placeholder. Nothing more. He couldn’t get over Vivien
Last Updated: 2025-10-26
Chapter: Chapter 4"Eleanor, the custom engagement ring I commissioned from Chaumet just arrived at their boutique. Want to see it?"Chaumet. The name alone was enough to make anyone pause. The jeweler of choice for European aristocrats, known for pieces that outshone even the finest diamonds.She’d agreed to the marriage just days ago, but already the ring was here? Had Jasper planned this all along?A thought nagged at her as she typed back a simple, "Sure."The Chaumet boutique smelled like polished wood and luxury. A sleek specialist, all grace and poise, led her to a display case where the ring awaited. He looked at her with a smile that felt rehearsed."Miss Winters, this is the ring Mr. Blackwood specially commissioned for you."Eleanor’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at the piece: a five-carat blue diamond, surrounded by a halo of pink and white diamonds. The stones caught the light like stars trapped in glass. She reached for it without thinking.The specialist added with a quiet prid
Last Updated: 2025-10-26
Chapter: Chapter 3“Are you serious?” I snapped, my voice rising as I stared at Henry.He seemed to wake up all of a sudden, as though I was a ghost he'd forgotten about. His hand slid off Vivienne’s waist like it burned him, and he stepped back, a look of guilt flashing across his face.The guys, following his gaze to me, scrambled. “Let’s keep playing,” one of them said, awkwardly breaking the silence. “Vivienne, skip the drinks if you’re not feeling well—truth or dare is better anyway.”“Yeah, truth or dare’s perfect!” Vivienne cheered, oblivious to the tension in the air.Henry took a deep breath and sat back down on the couch. He was trying to act like everything was fine. He must have thought I was about to throw a fit. I couldn’t blame him; that’s what everyone else probably expected. But I didn’t do anything. Not a word. Not a glance. Nothing.I just sat there, staring at the group like they were part of some weird, distant dream. A part of me wanted to yell, to demand an explanation, but anothe
Last Updated: 2025-10-26
Chapter: Chapter 2 Henry jerked his arm free from the woman's touch, eyes sharp as he gave her an unreadable glance.Eleanor paused, hand hovering mid-air. Her smile tightened. "Seraphina and I are friends too. Is it really that strange for me to show up to her birthday party?"Henry didn't blink. "No. I just thought you didn’t care much for these kinds of events," he replied. "That’s why I didn’t bring it up."A cold laugh bubbled up inside her. Was that the real reason? Or had he kept quiet so he could bring someone else instead?Henry’s gaze swept over the room, scanning for the person who had invited her. It was as if he were daring the walls to tell him who was behind this.Seraphina caught his eye briefly, then looked away, pretending to be absorbed in something else."Hi, you must be Eleanor," a voice cut through the tension. Eleanor turned to see a woman stepping forward, a confident smile painted on her lips. "I'm Vivienne. I think Henry’s mentioned me?"So this was Vivienne. Henry’s first love
Last Updated: 2025-10-26
Chapter: Chapter 1I froze just outside the private room, a cold chill creeping up my spine as I overheard the voices drifting through the crack in the door.“Henry, now that Vivienne’s back from Paris, what’s your plan with Eleanor?”Henry’s voice was smooth, practiced—a perfect Wall Street mask. “What do you mean?”“Come on, man. You and Eleanor have been together for three years. Vivienne’s back in the city. That changes things, doesn’t it?”I peeked through the gap, watching Henry. He took a long drag from his vape, the cloud of smoke swirling in the low light. He exhaled slowly before answering, quieter this time. “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt Eleanor, but Vivienne... that’s complicated.”A laugh rumbled from one of his friends. “Vivienne was your college sweetheart. You guys were legendary. Everyone at Yale still talks about it. No one’s judging you for not being over her.”“Look,” another voice interjected, “Eleanor’s been ride-or-die for three years, and she’s gorgeous. You’re telling me y
Last Updated: 2025-10-26
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