The Woman He Lost

Chapter Three

One week later, the rain finally stopped. Sarah helped me set up a quiet, elegant private exhibition at her art gallery. We invited old professors, university friends, and respected figures in the city's design community.

I wore a silver-grey silk dress. I didn't hide my limp; I walked slowly and with dignity, using a slender carved wooden cane.

When I walked into the gallery, Professor Harrison was already there, looking at my detailed blueprints of the Zurich library project.

"Eleanor!" Professor Harrison’s face lit up with a warm smile. He walked over and took my hand. "My girl, I knew you hadn't lost your touch. These designs are brilliant!"

"Thank you, Professor," I smiled. "It feels good to hold a pencil again."

"You should have never stopped," a familiar voice rang out.

I turned and saw Director Evans walking toward us. He looked surprised to see me standing tall and confident, surrounded by respected architects. His eyes swept over my blueprints, and a look of deep professional respect crossed his face.

"Eleanor," Director Evans said, clearing his throat. "I didn't know you were hosting an exhibition. Are these really yours?"

"They are, Director Evans," I answered calmly. "Or do you think people with scars cannot draw buildings?"

Director Evans looked embarrassed, remembering how he insulted me at the dinner. He forced an awkward smile. "Ah... I misspoke that night. Your talent is undeniable, Eleanor. It’s a pity you left our firm three years ago. If you ever want to come back, the senior architect position is yours."

Before I could answer, the glass doors of the gallery swung open, and a bright laugh echoed through the room.

"Oh, Julian, look at all these lovely paintings! Wait, is this an art gallery or some kind of amateur craft show?"

It was Chloe. And right beside her was Julian.

Julian had been having a business meeting nearby, and Chloe had insisted on bringing him inside. As soon as Chloe walked in, her eyes landed on me, standing in the center of the room talking to Professor Harrison and Director Evans.

Julian’s face froze. He stared at me standing straight, wearing an elegant silver-grey dress, holding a slender cane, and smiling like a confident professional. For a second, he looked like he didn't recognize me.

Chloe’s smile tightened. She quickly walked over, her red heels clicking loudly.

"Eleanor! What a surprise!" Chloe said, her voice dripping with sweet, fake concern. She walked right up to me and pretended to admire my blueprints. "Oh, my goodness. Are these architectural sketches? I thought you were just resting at home. You know, drawing takes a lot of mental energy. Are you sure your anxiety can handle this? You don't want to have a breakdown in public again, do you?"

Her words were meant to remind everyone of my past struggles. She wanted to make me look fragile and crazy.

Professor Harrison frowned, stepping in front of me. "Who is this young lady? Eleanor’s mind is sharper and more brilliant than anyone I know. There is no breakdown here, only exceptional talent."

Chloe’s face flushed red. She looked at Julian, her eyes turning watery. "Julian, I was only worried about Eleanor’s health... I didn't mean to offend anyone..."

Julian immediately stepped forward to protect Chloe. He looked at me with a frown. "Eleanor, stop this. Chloe is only looking out for you. Why do you always have to invite your friends to gang up on her? You know how sensitive Chloe is."

My heart didn't even hurt. It was completely numb. I looked at Julianmy husband of three years, the man I saved from a burning car at the cost of my health and body. And right now, he was scolding me for showing my talent in public.

"Julian," I said, my voice cutting through the quiet room like cold glass. "Look around you. Am I ganging up on anyone? Or am I standing in my own art gallery, showing my work to my professors?"

"Art gallery?" Julian blinked, looking around at the respected architects. Then his eyes landed on Professor Harrison. Recognition dawned on his face. "Professor Harrison? You... you are backing this?"

"Of course I am," Professor Harrison said coldly, glaring at Julian. "Eleanor is one of the most brilliant minds our institute has ever produced. It is a crime that she hid away for three years. Fortunately, she has finally woken up and realized her true worth—instead of wasting her life catering to people who do not appreciate her."

Julian’s face turned pale. He looked at me, searching my eyes for any sign of the dependent, weeping wife he left at home. He found nothing. My eyes were cold and clear.

"Eleanor, come home with me now," Julian said, his voice dropping as he reached out to grab my arm. "We will talk about this at home."

I stepped back, easily dodging his hand. I tapped my slender cane against the floor.

"Julian," I said softly. "We have nothing left to talk about. Go back to Dr. Vance. She’s waiting for you to save her."

Julian froze. The gallery fell into absolute silence. Twenty-one days left.

Julian’s hand stayed in mid-air before he slowly pulled it back. His dark eyes stared at me, filled with shock and anger. He was a man used to being in control of everything. He could not accept that I was slipping out of his grasp.

"Eleanor, don't be childish," Julian said through tight teeth. "You’re making a scene over nothing. Let's go home."

Before I could answer, Chloe stepped forward, her eyes shining with tears. She put a gentle hand on Julian’s sleeve. "Julian, please don't force her. It’s my fault. I shouldn't have said anything. If my presence here makes Eleanor so angry, maybe I should just leave the city."

What a masterclass in manipulation. In two sentences, she made herself the poor, innocent victim while painting me as the unreasonable villain.

Director Evans let out a dry, sarcastic chuckle. "Dr. Vance, nobody invited you here. You walked in uninvited, criticized professional architectural drafts you don't understand, and now you’re playing the victim? In our industry, we call that unprofessional."

Chloe’s face turned bright crimson. She looked at Julian, expecting him to defend her honor.

Before Julian could speak, Professor Harrison raised his hand. "Security. Please escort these two uninvited guests out. We are trying to host a professional exhibition here."

Two security guards stepped forward. "Sir, Madam, please. If you are not here for the exhibition, I must ask you to leave."

Julian’s face turned dark as midnight. As the CEO of a powerful company, nobody had ever dared to throw him out of a public place.

"There is no need for that," Julian said, his voice cold. He pulled his arm away from Chloe, straightened his jacket, and cast one last look at me. "Eleanor, you have changed. You are becoming cold and ungrateful. You will regret this attitude when you come home tonight."

He turned on his heel and walked out. Chloe stood there looking lost, glared at me with a flash of pure venom, and hurried after him.

The gallery door closed, and a breath of relief swept through the room.

Professor Harrison patted my shoulder. "Well handled, Eleanor. You showed true strength today."

"Thank you, Professor," I smiled.

That evening, I did not go straight home. I went with Sarah to a notary office downtown. I signed the final legal documents for my apartment lease in Zurich, transferred my emergency savings into a secure international account, and picked up my confirmed plane ticket.

Twenty days. Exactly twenty days left until my flight departed.

When I finally unlocked the front door of our villa late that night, the house was dark. Julian was sitting in the living room without lights, holding a glass of scotch. The red glow of his cigarette lit his jawline in the dark.

He heard the click of my cane and turned his head slowly.

"You’re late," Julian’s voice was deep and heavy with frustration.

I didn't turn on the lights. I stood by the doorway, looking at him calmly. "I had things to do."

Julian stood up and walked toward me slowly. The alcohol made his steps heavy. He stopped right in front of me, smelling of smoke and whiskey.

"Eleanor, what game are you playing?" Julian asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Are you punishing me because I went to dinner with Chloe? Are you throwing tantrums to get my attention?"

I looked up into his handsome, familiar face a face I once loved more than my own life.

"Julian," I said softly, my voice steady. "I'm not playing any game. I'm just living my life."

"Living your life?" Julian let out a harsh, bitter laugh. He reached out and grabbed my shoulders, his fingers digging into my skin. "Without me, you wouldn't even survive a week! Who drove you to the gallery today? Who paid for your dresses? Who makes sure you don't fall apart? It’s me! I am your caretaker, your husband, and the only reason you have a roof over your head!"

He shook me slightly, his eyes flashing with a desperate need for control. He needed me to be weak. He needed me to cry, to beg for forgiveness, and to admit I was nothing without him. That was the only way his guilt over the accident could be balanced—by being my savior.

I didn't cry. I didn't shake. I looked at him with quiet pity.

"You're right, Julian," I whispered. "You saved me three years ago. And I paid you back with three years of my youth, my health, and my silence."

"That is not a debt you can ever repay!" Julian shouted, his voice echoing in the hallway. "You are mine, Eleanor! Do you hear me? You are mine, and I will never let you go!"

"We’ll see about that, Julian," I thought quietly, letting a faint, cold smile touch my lips.

Nineteen days left. The countdown continued.