Take This Withered Love

Sabrina Miller stared at Elena Jennings in shock. She couldn't believe that the woman who'd held the title of Mrs. Fischer for six years would suddenly offer to step aside.

Elena's tone was flat when she added, "Since everyone prefers you, I'll make it easy. Just have Lucas sign the papers. Once the divorce is finalized, I'll leave."

This time, she wasn't going to repeat the same mistake. She wasn't going to keep being the Mrs. Fischer everyone overlooked.

Sabrina traced the rim of her cup with her fingertip as her brows drew together. "Elena, what exactly are you trying to pull?"

Watching the shifting emotions play out on Sabrina's face, Elena calmly replied, "I'm not trying to pull anything. I'm just done."

"Do you have any idea how many women out there covet your position?"

Elena held her gaze without blinking. "I do. That's why I'm giving it to you."

Sabrina's expression faltered.

She studied the agreement for a long moment before finally reaching for it. "Well, if you're giving it away, I'm not going to say no. Just don't forget that once something is mine, I don't give it back."

"Don't worry," Elena said with a faint smile. "I won't regret it."

After all, she'd already had a lifetime to learn what it meant to be utterly alone.

Sabrina rose and moved to another table in the cafe. She lifted her phone and tapped the screen. When the call connected, her voice softened instantly.

"Lucas, I'm at Azure Cafe. Can you come pick me up?"

Elena remained seated where she was, a bitter smile curling on her lips.

There was a time when she used to call Lucas Fischer, her husband. His assistant, Jason Myers, answered nine out of ten times.

Now, less than 20 minutes later, Lucas, who was always "in a meeting", walked through the door.

Through the glass, Elena watched him stride inside. His black tailored suit emphasized his broad shoulders and lean waist.

Their six-year-old son, Benjamin Fischer, and four-year-old daughter, Charlotte Fischer, saw Sabrina first. They ran to her without hesitation, wrapping their arms around her and kissing her cheeks.

"Ms. Miller!" Charlotte called sweetly, nuzzling her face against Sabrina's chest.

Lucas set a cake box down on the table and slid it toward Sabrina. "It's chocolate-flavored. I told the chef to cut back on the sugar."

Sabrina's eyes lit up. "You still remember."

Elena sat in the corner, her fingers digging into her palm.

After six years of marriage, Lucas didn't even know what flavor she liked.

In her previous life, when she was hospitalized and craving strawberry cake, he told Jason to buy something. The cake that arrived was mango, the one flavor she was allergic to.

"What do you feel like tonight?" Lucas asked, his voice low and resonant. "Faldorian cuisine or Corvian cuisine?"

Sabrina smiled and took the divorce agreement from her bag. "Before that, there's something I'd like you to look at."

She flipped it to the signature page. "I've been looking at a mansion, but I'm short on liquid funds. Would you mind—"

Lucas took the pen and signed without reading the contents. "There's no need to be so formal with me."

"Ms. Miller, are you buying a new house?" Benjamin asked, tilting his head up. "Dad, you should buy one next door. Charlotte and I want to move in with you. We don't want to stay with Mom every day."

Lucas' brow furrowed briefly, but when he saw the anticipation in their eyes, he relented. "Alright. We'll do that."

"There's no need to go through all that trouble," Sabrina said quickly. "I'll have three rooms ready for Benjamin, Charlotte, and… you. You can stay over whenever you want."

The children cheered.

Charlotte threw her arms around Sabrina's neck and kissed her. "Ms. Miller, you're the best. You're a thousand times better than Mom!"

Elena felt her heart break. The pain was so sharp that it nearly knocked the breath out of her.

She noticed the faint curve of Lucas' lips. It was a tenderness he'd never shown her.

She couldn't watch any longer. Picking up her bag, she turned and walked out.

The moment she stepped outside, memories from her previous life surfaced.

In that life, she and Lucas had a marriage of convenience. She gave birth to a son and a daughter. She lived to 62, but she was never happy.

That was because Lucas had always had Sabrina in his heart.

She was his first love. After they broke up years ago, Sabrina went abroad. Lucas drank for a few days, but his pride kept him from chasing her. He agreed to the arranged marriage instead.

Lucas had been Elena's dream when she was young. He was distant and untouchable. Among the socialites of Jeston's high society, who hadn't dreamed of marrying the head of Fischer Group?

When she learned their families had arranged the match, she was overjoyed.

But after the wedding, no matter how much she gave, she only received distance and indifference.

That was until Sabrina's return.

Lucas never mentioned divorce, but his eyes rarely left Sabrina. Worse, the children grew closer to Sabrina and further from Elena.

In her later years, Elena was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Under the excuse that she needed to recuperate, Lucas left her alone at Fischer Manor.

On her birthday, she trembled as she called Lucas, Benjamin, and Charlotte, only to learn they were vacationing with Sabrina in Mardor.

She wanted to cook herself a plate of pasta, but in her confusion, she forgot to turn off the stove.

As flames swallowed her, the last thing she remembered was the iciness in Lucas' gaze when he placed the wedding ring on her finger.

She shut her eyes in pain, wishing that if she had a second chance, she would never again trade her entire future for him.

…

When Elena returned to the mansion, night had already fallen.

She didn't rest. She began clearing things out.

One by one, she put Lucas' suits and shirts, the children's toys, and family photos into boxes.

"What are you doing?"

Lucas' voice came from behind her.

She turned to see him standing in the doorway, holding the children's hands. His brows were tightly drawn together.

"Why are you throwing our things away?"

Charlotte ran over, her face flushing red when she saw her teddy bear inside a box.

Benjamin glared at her. "We just spent some time with Ms. Miller. Are you really that upset about it?"

Lucas' gaze was as cold as ever. "The kids like being around Sabrina. Are you really going to throw a tantrum over such a trivial matter?"

"I'm not upset," Elena said evenly.

"Liar!" Charlotte shouted. "You're jealous of Ms. Miller. That's why you threw my teddy away. You're a bad mom!"

"When I grow up, I'm moving in with Ms. Miller," Benjamin said fiercely, grabbing Charlotte's hand. "I'll never come back to see you!"

Lucas didn't stop them. A slight frown marred his face, his dark eyes sweeping over Elena as if she were a stranger making a scene.

"That's enough," he said, his voice a deep, resonant hum.

He adjusted his cufflinks with casual precision. "I have a video conference with the board. Throw out whatever you want. Just be quiet."

When the door shut behind him, Elena's tears finally fell.

It felt as if her heart were being shredded into pieces. Every breath of air tasted like copper.

She wiped her face, looked at the mess around her, and suddenly let out a laugh.

His reminder was unnecessary.

She wouldn't disturb him ever again.