Chapter 6

"The divorce petition... what the hell is all this, Eleanor?!"

Sebastian's furious roar echoed through the quiet lobby of the five-star hotel, stopping Eleanor in her tracks. He stormed toward her, his eyes bloodshot and his expression tense. After receiving the shocking news from his lawyer in Italy, he had immediately booked the earliest flight back to London and tracked down his wife, who was now staying at the most luxurious hotel in the city center, surrounded by top-tier amenities.

Eleanor stopped walking. She slowly turned around and looked at Sebastian with a calm, icy expression, not the slightest ripple of emotion crossing her face. On either side of her stood two personal bodyguards in black suits, maintaining a safe distance while remaining alert.

"What is it, Sebastian? You're back?" Eleanor asked flatly.

"What do you mean, what is it?!" Sebastian tried to push past them and grab Eleanor's arm, but one of the bodyguards swiftly blocked him with a hand against his chest. "Why are you acting like a child, dragging the Rockwood Group's name into this and getting lawyers involved?!"

Eleanor gave her bodyguard a subtle signal to step back, then fixed her husband with a cold stare.

"I'm not acting like a child," Eleanor replied bluntly. "I'm simply finishing what you started. We're getting divorced, Sebastian."

"I never agreed to this divorce!" Sebastian shouted, his voice trembling with barely contained panic. "You think you can just end our five-year marriage because you're angry that I went to Italy?! And where did all this luxury come from, Eleanor?! The bodyguards? This hotel? Who are these people?!"

"Angry?" Eleanor gave him a faint smile—a cold one devoid of even the slightest warmth. "You think I'm filing for divorce simply because I'm angry or jealous that you always put Claudia first?"

"Then what is it?!" Sebastian demanded in frustration. "I went to Italy for business, and I came back because you suddenly disappeared and sent me divorce papers! I even hired a nurse and sent you money for your medical expenses! What more could I have done for you, Eleanor?!"

"What more?" Eleanor took a step forward, looking straight into Sebastian's panicked eyes. "You abandoned me when the doctor told you my liver function was on the brink of failure, Sebastian. You left me to suffer alone in the hospital while I was dying, and you never even bothered to ask whether I was still breathing!"

Sebastian froze, his lips trembling as he tried to defend himself. "I... I didn't abandon you! Mommy wouldn't let me become your donor because I have responsibilities—"

"Your mother forbade you, and you obeyed her without a moment's hesitation!" Eleanor cut in sharply. "You let your mother insult my very life right in front of me! You let Claudia take my place in our home! And when I was fighting for my life in the ICU, where were you, Sebastian? You were enjoying your vacation and romantic dinners in Milan."

Sebastian moistened his suddenly dry lips. "Eleanor, I... I didn't know your condition was that serious..."

"You knew, Sebastian. You simply didn't care because you always thought I was exaggerating and pretending to be sick," Eleanor interrupted coldly. "You even sent me a message telling me to fight through it alone if I wanted to remain your wife. You expected me to battle for my life all by myself!"

"Eleanor..." Sebastian's voice suddenly cracked, trembling violently.

"For the past five years, I gave up my family name, my luxurious life, my career, and my time just to stand beside you as a simple, devoted wife," Eleanor continued. Her voice was no longer raised, yet every word came out with a bone-chilling coldness. "I placed my entire life in your hands because I believed I could depend on you. But the truth? In your life, I've always come last."

"I love you, Eleanor!" Sebastian cried out in frustration, his eyes beginning to glisten as he realized just how deeply he had wounded her. "Please don't do this... Come home! We can talk this through properly for Valentina's sake!"

Eleanor stepped back as Sebastian tried to reach for her hand.

"Never use Valentina's name to cover up your selfishness," Eleanor whispered, her gaze filled with disgust. "You handed Valentina over to your mother and Claudia for the past few weeks. You've been living happily in Italy as if I never existed."

"Eleanor, please... give me a chance—"

"Listen carefully, Sebastian," Eleanor interrupted firmly. Her gaze was direct and razor-sharp. "When I was lying alone in that hospital bed, enduring unbearable pain and realizing that my own husband would rather let me die, that was when my love for you died."

Sebastian's breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Eleanor..."

"I once loved you so much that I gave up my own identity. I once hoped you would choose me, even if only once," Eleanor murmured, looking at Sebastian with a heartbreaking honesty. "But now? Even the fear of death has disappeared from inside me. If death itself no longer frightens me, why should I be afraid of losing a man like you?"

Her words struck Sebastian so hard that he stumbled backward two steps. For the first time, he saw the despair in his wife's eyes, a despair that had transformed into complete numbness. He also finally realized that the woman standing before him was no longer the weak, helpless Eleanor who had no one to turn to, but the untouchable only daughter of the Rockwood family.

"You... you're really never coming back to me?" Sebastian asked hoarsely, tears of regret finally spilling down his cheeks.

“I never left you, Sebastian,” Eleanor replied calmly as she straightened her elegant dress. “You’re the one who cast me aside and threw me away. The divorce papers and the petition for custody of Valentina have already been officially filed and served. Contact my lawyer if you have anything to contest in court.”

“Eleanor, wait! Please!”

Sebastian tried to chase after her, but Eleanor’s two personal bodyguards immediately stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

“Sir, please step back,” one of the bodyguards said firmly.

Sebastian’s legs suddenly gave way, forcing him to his knees on the cold hotel lobby floor. He reached out with trembling hands, but Eleanor didn’t look back. She continued walking with her head held high, closely accompanied by her security detail until she finally disappeared from his sight.

Sebastian was overwhelmed by deep regret. He had lost Eleanor completely, and this time, no apology or desperate plea could bring her back.

People around them began whispering, but Sebastian paid them no attention. He was already drowning in regret.