Chapter 2

Eleanor was woken the next morning by a harsh scraping sound.

In the living room, several workers were tearing down the wedding photos of her and Harrison from the wall. The glass frames dragged across the floor, leaving long, jagged lines behind.

"What are you doing?" Eleanor asked.

Her voice was still raspy from sleep, but it carried a chill.

The man in charge replied casually, "Mr. Luther's orders. The new Mrs. Luther is moving in and doesn't like seeing other people's photos on the wall."

The new Mrs. Luther?

A memory occurred to her then.

In her previous life, when she woke up to find her wedding photos being taken down, she'd cried and begged the workers to stop.

Right after that, messages from Harrison and Winona arrived, informing her that they were moving in.

Winona had followed up by sending countless obscene photos, leaving Eleanor unable to process what was happening.

When Harrison finally brought Winona through the door, Eleanor had lost control entirely, screaming and making a scene so ugly that all she earned in the end was Harrison's disgust and Winona's triumphant smile.

Now, watching the wedding photo she'd once treasured get crumpled up and stuffed into a trash bag, Eleanor felt nothing at all.

If anything, it seemed laughable.

After experiencing that kind of heartbreak once, the pain really didn't feel as devastating the second time around.

Just then, her phone vibrated in her hand, and Winona's name appeared on the screen.

Dozens of photos followed in quick succession of Harrison gently stroking Winona's pregnant belly, his eyes soft, Harrison standing in the kitchen cooking for her, patient and attentive, and the two of them cuddling together on the couch, Winona's cheeks flushed.

Every photo carried a timestamp that perfectly matched the days he'd claimed to be on business trips or stuck in meetings.

At the end of the spam was a taunting message. "Eleanor, Harry said my belly's getting big, and living elsewhere isn't convenient. He's bringing me back to 'our home' today."

Another message popped up immediately after.

This one was from Harrison, and it was identical to the one she'd received in her previous life. "Eleanor, I'm bringing Winona home today. Clean up the master bedroom and let her stay there. She's pregnant, so be considerate."

Eleanor sneered. It was just as she'd expected.

She deleted the messages and sat quietly on the couch.

The door opened, and Harrison walked in with Winona, instinctively positioning himself in front of her as though shielding her.

Eleanor let out a quiet scoff.

"Eleanor?" Harrison frowned. "Didn't I tell you to clean the room? Is the master bedroom ready?"

Her gaze dropped to Winona's swollen belly. She remembered that this child never made it to term in her previous life.

"Eleanor, please don't be angry," Winona said the moment she saw her, her eyes reddening instantly. "I'm only joining you and Harry temporarily. Once I give birth, I'll leave. Please, just take pity on me and let me stay for a while."

Eleanor smiled so gently that it was almost unsettling.

Harrison froze. The words he'd prepared stuck in his throat. He'd expected tears, shouting, or hysterics. He hadn't expected this.

"Of course," Eleanor said softly, nodding. "Pregnancy isn't easy. I'll go clean up the master bedroom right now."

Winona's smugness barely had time to surface before her expression faltered in confusion. This wasn't how things were supposed to go.

Harrison looked at Eleanor, confusion written all over his face. "Eleanor, are you really okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Eleanor tilted her head as she looked at him, her eyes unreadable. "Didn't you say she'd be leaving soon? I can wait."

As she turned toward the guest room, the smile on her lips deepened.

Behind her, Harrison and Winona spoke in hushed voices, clearly trying to figure out what her reaction meant.

…

That night, Eleanor had just finished showering when the door to the guest room was pushed open.

Harrison paused when he saw she was awake, then walked closer, deliberately lightening his steps. "Eleanor, about what happened earlier… do you really not mind?"

He reached out tentatively to pull her into his arms. Eleanor didn't move away and even leaned closer.

"Mind what? You said you'd handle it. I believe you."

Eleanor let him hold her, though her heart was already numb.

The arrangements for her war correspondent assignment were already in motion. Before long, she and Harrison would never cross paths again.