Mia, bring the papers!

“What... what are you talking about?” Elena whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Her breath hitched, and it felt like the ground beneath her had disappeared. The woman she had trusted like family—her mother-in-law—and the man she loved had turned against her. Everything she cherished now seemed to unravel into a living nightmare.

Tears blurred her vision as she stumbled back, her mind struggling to grasp the cruelty unfolding before her.

Lily’s voice was cold, laced with mockery. “From the moment I met you, I knew you didn’t belong in this family. But Stephen, being the fool in love that he was, couldn’t see it. I let it slide for his sake. But now, the truth is out, and your time here is over.”

“What truth?” Elena cried, her voice shaking, a mixture of fear and despair. “What are you even talking about? What truth?”

Her desperate question hung in the air unanswered. Lily smirked, her satisfaction evident, while Stephen stood silently, his cold expression like a dagger to Elena’s heart.

Stephen started pacing, his frustration barely contained. Finally, he snapped, his voice sharp and venomous. “Elena, just sign the divorce papers and leave. I can’t do this anymore.”

Elena’s hands trembled as she reached into her pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. Her heart pounded as she stepped toward him, her teary eyes pleading.

“Stephen, I don’t understand why you’re doing this,” she said, her voice breaking. “But please, read this. Just once. If you do, everything will make sense. It will change everything. I promise, I can make you happy again.”

Her words, raw with emotion, hung in the tense silence. But Stephen, unmoved, slapped the paper from her hand. It fluttered to the floor, landing like a cruel metaphor for her shattered hopes.

“I don’t want to read anything!” he shouted, his tone cutting through her like a blade. “Just sign the papers and get out of my life.”

Elena’s shoulders shook as her desperation grew. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her voice cracked as she tried again. “Please, Stephen, just listen to me! I’m carrying—”

Before she could finish, Lily grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head back. Elena gasped in pain, her hands instinctively reaching to free herself.

“Didn’t you hear him?” Lily hissed, her voice icy. “He doesn’t want you anymore. Stop wasting our time. Sign the papers and leave!”

Elena’s teary eyes met Stephen’s, searching for a shred of the love they once shared. “I can’t, Stephen,” she whispered, her voice trembling with resolve. “I can’t let you go. I love you... I always will.”

Stephen’s patience snapped. “Enough of this pathetic display!” he roared. “I don’t need your love, Elena! Not anymore!”

His harsh words hit her like a physical blow, leaving her breathless. Trembling, she reached for the discarded paper, but her hands faltered.

Stephen turned away, his posture stiff and unyielding, as if even facing her was too much.

Before Elena could regain her footing, Lily barked an order. “Mia, bring the papers.”

Mia hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, the divorce papers in hand. Her expression was unreadable as she approached Elena.

“Mia, no!” Elena pleaded, her voice breaking. “You’re my friend. How can you do this to me?”

Mia’s gaze didn’t waver. She avoided Elena’s eyes, her silence cutting deeper than words.

Lily and Mia pressed Elena’s trembling hand onto the ink pad and forced her thumbprint onto the papers.

“No!” Elena screamed, struggling to free herself. “This isn’t right! Damon, please, look at me! Say something!”

Her cries echoed in the room, but Stephen remained still, his eyes fixed on the floor. He didn’t flinch.

“Stephen!” she sobbed, her voice desperate and raw. “Please!”

He stood like a statue, his indifference stabbing at her heart like a thousand knives.

Lily released Elena’s wrist with a sneer. “It’s done,” she said coldly. “You’re no longer part of this family. You have no claim to my son. Get out of our lives.”

“I’m not leaving!” Elena cried through her tears. “This is wrong! You all know it!”

Lily’s face darkened, her fury palpable. “We’ll see about that.”

Before Elena could react, Lily dragged her toward the mansion’s front doors. Elena stumbled, clutching her stomach protectively, fear rising with every step.

“Mom, stop!” Elena cried, her voice frantic. “Please, don’t do this!”

With one final shove, Lily pushed her out the door.

Elena fell hard onto the cold stone steps, her arms instinctively wrapping around her stomach to shield it. Pain coursed through her body, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.

The doors slammed shut behind her with a resounding finality.

Tears streaming down her face, Elena looked back at the mansion. “Stephen!” she cried, her voice filled with anguish.

Inside, Stephen stood motionless, his fists clenched at his sides. For a fleeting moment, his eyes glistened with something unspoken—but he didn’t move.

As Elena’s broken sobs echoed outside, Stephen turned and walked away, leaving her in the cold darkness of despair.