Chapter 5

"How is the search for a donor for my daughter progressing, Doctor?"

Mr. Rockwood's deep voice filled the hospital director's office. Eleanor's father stood upright in front of the doctor's desk, while his three sons stood behind him, their expressions tense.

"We've found a highly compatible potential donor from overseas, Mr. Rockwood," the specialist replied, showing him the medical records. "The transplant procedure can be scheduled as soon as Mrs. Eleanor's physical condition has fully stabilized."

"Do whatever it takes to ensure the best outcome. Money is no object," Eleanor's eldest brother declared without hesitation.

Two weeks after receiving intensive treatment at the Rockwood family's hospital, Eleanor's condition gradually improved. Her liver transplant surgery was successful, with no complications. Her face, which had once been pale and yellowish, was beginning to regain its healthy color.

Alessia walked into the VIP hospital room carrying a thick brown folder.

"Your family's legal team has finished processing your divorce papers, Eleanor," Alessia said as she handed over the documents. "All you have to do is sign them."

Eleanor accepted the folder. Without the slightest hesitation, she picked up a pen and signed her name firmly on the white paper.

"What about Valentina?" Eleanor asked. Her voice now sounded much stronger. "Were you able to contact the Tores family?"

Alessia let out a long sigh and slowly shook her head. "I've tried calling Sebastian and his mother over and over again. They've blocked all our numbers. They've completely cut off every means of communication."

"Do they think they can hide in Italy forever?" Eleanor muttered coldly as she closed the brown folder.

"What are you going to do now, Eleanor?" Alessia asked, looking at her friend with concern.

"I'm going to Italy," Eleanor replied resolutely. "I need to see my daughter with my own eyes and gather evidence to legally reclaim custody of Valentina in court."

A week later, fully recovered and accompanied by a team of bodyguards and the Rockwood family's lawyers, Eleanor flew to Milan. Thanks to her family's extensive business connections, finding the address of the luxury apartment Sebastian had rented in the city center was not difficult.

That afternoon, Eleanor sat behind the tinted windows of a car parked not far from the courtyard of the apartment complex.

Her eyes narrowed when she saw a familiar figure emerge from the main entrance. Sebastian strolled along casually, holding little Valentina's hand. On his other side, Claudia walked gracefully in a summer dress, laughing brightly as she wrapped her arm around his.

From a distance, the three of them looked like a happy little family.

"Valentina..." Eleanor whispered, her eyes burning as she watched her little daughter from afar.

Suddenly, Stella Tores emerged behind them, carrying shopping bags. The older woman smiled warmly and handed Claudia an ice cream before gently stroking Valentina's hair. It was an affectionate gesture Eleanor had never received during her five years as a daughter-in-law in that household.

Eleanor watched as Claudia took over her place—standing beside Sebastian, caring for Valentina, and receiving Stella's affection.

"Madam, our surveillance team has documented all their interactions as evidence for the upcoming custody proceedings," the head bodyguard, seated in the front passenger seat, reported. "Should we get out and bring the young miss back now?"

Eleanor squeezed her eyes shut. Her chest throbbed painfully, but this time, it wasn't because of love or jealousy. It was because she had become utterly numb.

"No," Eleanor replied softly, yet with a chilling coldness. She opened her eyes again and stared straight ahead.

"Are you sure, Madam?" the bodyguard asked in surprise.

"If we take Valentina by force now without an official court order, they'll accuse me of kidnapping and retaliate," Eleanor explained calmly and rationally. "Let the law take care of it. This photographic and video evidence of their neglect is more than enough to have Sebastian's custody rights revoked."

Eleanor leaned back against her seat.

"Turn the car around. We're going back to the airport," she ordered firmly.

"You're not going to meet Sebastian, Eleanor?" Alessia asked from the seat beside her.

"There's no need," Eleanor replied, gazing out the window. "I'm done begging for attention or entertaining arguments with people who've thrown me away. Once the court papers reach him, he'll be the one crawling back to me on his knees. From this day forward, I'm taking control of my own life."

Meanwhile, at an outdoor café in the heart of Milan.

Sebastian was enjoying a cup of hot coffee while watching Claudia and Valentina play in a nearby park. He was in a perfectly relaxed mood. In his mind, Eleanor was probably lying in a hospital bed in Indonesia, crying and obediently waiting for him to return.

Then, without warning, the phone on his table began vibrating violently. His personal lawyer's name appeared on the screen.

"Hello?" Sebastian answered casually.

"Mr. Sebastian, I'm calling because something extremely urgent and critical has come up," the voice on the other end said, sounding panicked.

"What is it? Is there a problem at the Jakarta office?" Sebastian asked in confusion.

"No, sir! This concerns your marriage. This morning, Rockwood Group's powerful legal team filed an official divorce petition on behalf of Mrs. Eleanor with the court!"

Sebastian suddenly froze. The coffee cup in his hand stopped in midair.

"What did you just say?!" he demanded, his voice rising an octave. "Rockwood Group? A divorce petition? Eleanor?!"

"That's right, sir! The official petition has been filed. Mrs. Eleanor's lawyers aren't just seeking a divorce. They've also submitted a petition for full custody of Valentina, accompanied by recordings documenting your neglect of your wife and child. The evidence is extremely damaging to your case!" the lawyer explained in a panic.

"That's impossible!" Sebastian shouted, abruptly rising to his feet and sending his chair scraping backward. It felt as though someone had struck him over the head with a hammer. "Eleanor is just sick and loves being dramatic! She doesn't have the money or family connections to hire top lawyers! You must have made a mistake!"

"I haven't made a mistake, sir! These documents are legitimate and bear the direct signature of Mrs. Eleanor Rockwood. The court has issued an official summons and frozen several of your jointly held assets!"

The phone trembled violently in Sebastian's grasp. His eyes widened as his chest heaved with rapid breaths.

Eleanor Rockwood...?

The name made Sebastian's knees feel weak. The woman who had spent the past five years yielding to him, obeying him, wearing cheap clothes, and depending on him... had just destroyed his life without saying a single word.

"Sebastian? What's wrong?" Claudia asked as she approached him, attempting to wrap her arm around his.

"Get off me!" Sebastian shouted, instinctively knocking Claudia's hand away roughly. His eyes stared blankly ahead, his heart pounding so violently that it felt ready to burst.

For the first time in his life, fear, regret, and overwhelming panic began to grip Sebastian's chest.