Chapter: Chapter 27: Shaking Her ResolveEdward pressed on with careful, earnest words, but Eleanor barely registered any of them.Everyone wanted her to be understanding. Patient. Forgiving.She had been.Three years of understanding, patience, forgiveness.In return, Julian had killed their first child on purpose, for the sake of the woman he actually loved.Eleanor's face went paler with every passing second, something cold settling deep in her chest.Edward was the kindest person in that family toward her. But he was still Julian's blood, and blood would win out eventually.She felt the isolation of that settle over her, sudden and complete.Edward kept going, listing off every hardship, every pressure Julian carried, until Eleanor was nearly numb to the sound of his voice."Think it over. Give him another chance. Give yourself one too. But, if you still decide to go through with the divorce after all that, I'll support you.""...What?"That last part stopped her cold."Grandpa, you're saying you'd actually support the d
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 26: He Couldn't Let Her Go EitherEleanor's feet felt like lead. She'd been too abrupt showing up here, she realized. Maybe it would've been better to stay away.She turned to leave. Julian's hand closed around her wrist before she got far."Julian, that hurts"Her face twisted with the pain, and he loosened his grip, just slightly."You still remember how to cry out in pain, Eleanor? My mother had to be hospitalized because of you.""I'm sorry."She said it first, meant it.She genuinely hadn't wanted things to spiral this far.Julian stared her down, his gaze sharp enough to cut."If anything happens to her, you'll answer for it."The threat didn't come with much heat behind it. It landed heavier for that, sat in Eleanor's chest until she could barely breathe around it."Julian!"Cassandra rounded the corner, breathless, hair mussed, her makeup uncharacteristically bare. She was clutching her Hermès bag by the handle instead of wearing it, the strap swinging with her stride.Julian let go of Eleanor's arm instantly.
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: Chapter 25: A Few Slaps for EleanorThe suit had been Eleanor's gift to him, a brand he didn't recognize, top-grade wool, unmistakably expensive.Julian dug up all six suits she'd bought him over the years and called David.David sped over to Crestview, assuming an urgent work matter, and instead found himself handed six garment bags."These are yours now. Give them away, throw them out, whatever you want." Julian's voice was clipped, ice cold, and David could tell he was working hard to keep it that way.The suits were clearly high-end, immaculate, never worn. David wasn't about to trash them.Confused as he was, all he managed was, "Thank you, Mr. Cross."Once the suits were out of the apartment, Julian expected to feel better. He didn't. He was still edgy enough to reach for a cigarette.He was on his third when his father called.At the same moment, back at Fenwick & York, Eleanor was still trying to reach Caleb when a group of men in dark suits stormed the conference room.She froze.She recognized every one of the
Last Updated: 2026-09-03
Chapter: Chapter 24: New Romance ExposedThe rumor had started inside Eleanor's own department. Her colleagues had it that the new process belonged to Cassandra, and that Eleanor had lifted it wholesale.Pretending it didn't bother her would have been a lie.But the story had already calcified, detailed enough that no amount of explaining could unravel it. Even trying would've read as guilt to anyone listening.Prejudice, once it settled in, was immovable. Eleanor knew that better than most.She'd known most of her coworkers had written her off before she even sat down at her desk.Regardless, the PO line was selling out. She hadn't let Peter down. Her conscience, at least, was clean.Eleanor was working late again tonight.Radiant Media's flagship contemporary drama, Unforeseen, needed a full slate of original jewelry pieces built for it. Riding high off the PO line's success, the production had approached Fenwick & York directly and specifically requested Eleanor to head the project.She didn't leave the office until past
Last Updated: 2026-09-03
Chapter: Chapter 23: Improper RelationshipThe conference room filled up steadily.Senior leadership from every department at Fenwick & York, plus the entire PO team.Julian had been offered a front-row seat as a guest, courtesy of Peter. The moment he spotted Cassandra in the room, he abandoned it and settled in beside her instead, drawing an immediate round of whispered gossip from Danielle and Priya.Cassandra played it cool on the surface. Underneath, she was thrilled.Half of her wanted the entire company to know Julian Cross was hers.Peter lowered the blinds, dimming the room to just the glow of the projector.Eleanor stood at the front, facing a packed room. Julian and Cassandra, heads bent together, whispering, stood out even in the crowd.Peter had called this meeting specifically for Eleanor. He projected all ten of her designs, one after another, and asked every senior executive in the room to score them.Julian's first instinct was skepticism.Cassandra had already told him none of Eleanor's drafts had passed revi
Last Updated: 2026-09-03
Chapter: Chapter 22: When Are You Going to Stop Making a Scene?Eleanor spotted the paper bag on Meredith's desk the moment she walked in.If she remembered right, Cassandra had carried that exact bag into the office that morning.Chanel packaging. Scarf box."You need something?" Meredith's tone made clear she didn't have the patience for it."I just wanted to ask about my drafts." Eleanor tried to organize her thoughts. "None of my ten designs got selected. I'd like to understand where the issue was."She kept her tone measured. Meredith rolled her eyes anyway."Instead of wasting my time asking why, maybe work on improving your actual skills. Look at Cassandra, brand new here, same age as you, and she landed three approvals. You couldn't land one.""...""You've got nerve, coming in here asking me to explain myself. Do I look like your college professor? If you're failing, figure out why on your own time, or take some notes from Cassandra's sense of style.""Meredith""Don't eat into my lunch break with this." Meredith waved her out. "Go reflec
Last Updated: 2026-09-03
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