Chapter 2 - A Painful Farewell

"Fine! We divorce, and take your three useless daughters!" Damian's voice echoed in the room, cold and heartless.

Elena stood up straight, staring at Damian without a single tear on her face. Then she nodded slowly and turned away without another word. There was no point in prolonging a conversation with a man who didn't even appreciate his own flesh and blood.

Her steps were quick up the stairs, heading straight for her children's rooms. Olivia, her eldest eight-year-old daughter, was reading a book on the bed. Katty, six, was playing with a doll, while Delya, the youngest at just three years old, slept soundly, her fingers still gripping the edge of her blanket.

"Mommy?" Olivia looked at her mother in confusion. "Why does Mommy look angry?"

Elena took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions before speaking. "Honey, we need to get out of here right now."

Katty turned her head, her eyes wide. "Leave? Where, Mom?"

"To a better place." Elena smiled softly, even though her heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

Olivia frowned, but she didn't ask further. She was old enough to understand that something bad had happened.

Quickly, Elena started packing their things. She grabbed a suitcase from the closet, stuffing her children's clothes in as quickly as possible. Her hands were shaking, but she must not hesitate.

Katty helped put her favorite doll into her small bag. "Daddy's coming too, right?" she asked innocently.

Elena smiled, even though her heart felt like it had been hit by a hammer. "Daddy will catch up later, sweetie."

She couldn't tell them the truth. Not now.

As Elena held the still-sleepy Delya, the little girl rubbed her eyes and looked toward the door. "Daddy..." she mumbled weakly.

Without waiting any longer, Elena took her three daughters downstairs to the living room.

Damian still stood there, sipping his wine casually, as if nothing had happened. Lady Margaret and Lord Charles sat haughtily, while Isabella stood beside Damian, smiling contentedly.

Suddenly, Delya, who had just woken up, stretched her arms towards Damian. "Daddy!" she exclaimed happily, running on her tiny feet.

Elena felt her breath catch. "Delya, darling, don't-"

But it was too late.

Delya had already reached Damian, raising her arms to be carried. However, what happened next made Elena's heart stop beating.

Damian took a step back, brushing Delya's small hand away roughly. "Don't touch me," he said coldly. "I'm not your father anymore."

The atmosphere was suddenly silent.

Delya was rooted to the spot, her eyes round with confusion. Olivia and Katty immediately ran over, pulling their sister into a hug.

"Delya!" Olivia woke up her fallen sister, looking at Damian with an angry look. "Why would Daddy say that?"

Katty burst into tears, looking at Damian with a confused face. "But Daddy is our Daddy..."

Elena could no longer contain her anger. She gripped the suitcase tightly, refraining from screaming in front of her children. "You really are an asshole, Damian."

Damian just snorted. "Take them away before I change my mind and kick you out in a worse way."

Elena clenched her fists, then took a deep breath. She had to stay strong, not for herself, but for her children.

With trembling hands, she took her three daughters by the hand and walked toward the door. Delya was still sobbing, while Olivia was trying hard to hold back her tears.

As her hand touched the doorknob, Elena paused for a moment, then looked back. "Damian, one day, you will regret this."

Damian just chuckled. "We'll see."

"Never mind, darling. He'll come back tomorrow to beg," Isabella said.

"It's true what Isabella said. Elena has nothing! How could she survive without your money, Damian!" the mother continued.

"No problem! She and her three children can stay here, but as servants!" said Damian without caring about the feelings of Elena and her three daughters.

Elena didn't say anything else. She opened the door and stepped out, leaving the house she had called home - and the man who no longer deserved to be called her husband.