Rina rose from her seat, intending to go after Elise, but before she could take a step, Dylan was already moving.

She pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze, a silent sigh escaping her.

Beside her, Ethan turned to look at her, his eyes narrowing as he studied her expression.

"Why didn’t you say anything just now?"

Rina met his gaze calmly. "Because I couldn’t."

Ethan frowned.

"What do you mean you couldn’t? You should have helped persuade her. Have you thought about what it would mean for our family if she actually divorces Dylan? Do you realize how much we’d lose?"

A trace of coldness entered Rina’s eyes.

"You expect me to know everything she’s been through and still stand there spouting empty words about reconciliation?"

She looked at him steadily. "Sorry. Maybe I’m not skilled enough at pretending."

Her voice sharpened. "I simply couldn’t do it."

Ethan’s face darkened immediately.

"As a member of the Harper family, that’s your responsibility."

Rina gave a short, humorless smile. "We clearly have nothing to discuss."

She turned away from him and looked toward William. "Father, I have filming tomorrow. I’ll be leaving now."

William had only recently taken his blood pressure medication and was resting against the sofa. Hearing her voice, he opened his eyes, his expression remained stern.

"Mrs. Stone brought up the marriage alliance again tonight."

He spoke as though discussing a business arrangement.

"Clear a day in your schedule next week. I’ll arrange for you to meet the eldest son of the Stone family."

A faint crease appeared between Rina’s brows, but it vanished almost instantly. Her face remained composed.

"Understood."

There was no more strength left for argument or resistance. Just acceptance.

The night was draped in a hazy veil of darkness. Summer cicadas sang relentlessly from the trees.

Elise walked alone along the roadside, her slender figure illuminated by scattered pools of streetlight.

This was one of North City’s oldest luxury residential districts, far from the bustling city center.

At this hour, finding a taxi was nearly impossible.

The low hum of an engine suddenly approached from behind. A black Phantom rolled alongside her at a crawl.

The driver’s window lowered.

Inside, Dylan sat behind the wheel, one hand resting on the steering wheel as he turned his head to look at her.

"Get in."

Elise didn’t stop walking. She kept her eyes fixed ahead, unwilling to spare him even a glance.

"You won’t be able to get a cab at this hour."

His gaze briefly dipped toward her abdomen before returning to her face. His Adam’s apple bobbed subtly.

When he spoke again, his tone visibly softened.

"Grandmother called earlier. You haven’t visited in days. She’s been worried about you."

Elise’s fingers curled tighter at her sides.

She steadied her breathing with a long inhale.

Still, she kept walking.

Dylan exhaled quietly, then he spoke again.

"Her surgery date has been confirmed."

This time, Elise stopped. The Phantom came to a halt beside her.

"The operation is scheduled for the morning after tomorrow." His deep voice carried through the quiet night. "Elise, she’s been asking about you constantly."

His gaze remained fixed on her.

"Come home and spend some time with her."

Slowly, Elise turned her head. Under the glow of the streetlights, moths fluttered around the lamps in frantic circles.

Her shadow stretched across the pavement. The pale light illuminated her face but revealed no warmth, no color.

A breeze stirred her hair, lifting loose strands across damp eyes.

The tears there blurred the world before her.

"Dylan." Her voice came out rough and raw, trembling beneath layers of restraint. "I don’t owe you or anyone in your family anything."

She swallowed hard. The pain she’d buried for so long finally surfaced.

"You’ve become so accustomed to my sacrifices that you treat them as obligations."

Her eyes reddened.

"If we’re keeping score, then you’re the one who owes me."

The hand gripping the steering wheel tightened instantly. The interior of the car remained shadowed, concealing much of his expression.

They looked at each other through the open window, separated by only a few feet, yet the distance between them felt immeasurable.

Elise couldn’t decipher what lay behind his eyes. All she felt was suffocation.

Ever since she’d discovered his betrayal, Dylan had become exactly like this.

Detached. Watching from a distance. As if none of it had anything to do with him.

Meanwhile, she was trapped alone in the swamp of his betrayal, sinking deeper every day.

She had fought desperately to climb out, to reclaim herself, to move forward. Yet every time she found solid ground, Dylan dragged her back.

Again.

And again.

And again.

He didn’t love her anymore. But he wouldn’t let her go either.

The exhaustion was bone-deep.

She had argued. She had cried. She had screamed herself hoarse.

Nothing changed.

His endless manipulation was slowly driving her to the brink.

Pressing a hand to her throbbing forehead, she drew a long breath. Then she looked him straight in the eyes.

For the first time, her anger sounded almost like surrender.

"Dylan..." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "What exactly do I have to do before you’ll let me go?"

A deeper furrow formed between his brows. The exhaustion in her eyes struck him harder than her anger ever had.

His own voice lowered.

"I admit I’ve hurt you." A pause. "But I’ve told you repeatedly that Quinn and Robin won’t affect your position." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

His expression remained steady.

"I don’t believe our marriage has reached the point where divorce is necessary."

For a moment, Elise simply stared at him. Disbelief washed through her like a wave of dirt.

So this was what a man looked like after he stopped loving someone...

Once upon a time, she’d believed she understood Dylan better than anyone. She’d believed all his affection belonged to her. She never imagined that affection could simply be transferred to another woman.

He had betrayed her without remorse. Refused to grant her freedom. Dragged out the divorce because, in his mind, she was still useful.

Perhaps his grandmother needed her.

Or perhaps Robin needed a respectable wife from a powerful family to serve as his mother.

Was he planning to become exactly like his father?

Sure. The Bennett bloodline truly ran strong.

A bitter laugh nearly escaped her lips. She couldn’t find a single thing left to say.

Turning on her heel, she walked away.

The Phantom immediately surged forward. The engine growled softly. The car accelerated past her before abruptly cutting across the road.

With a sharp turn of the wheel, Dylan blocked her path entirely.

The tires screeched before stopping completely.

Elise halted. Her expression turned ice-cold.

Dylan’s voice left no room for negotiation.

"Either you get in the car yourself..." He opened the driver’s door slightly. "Or I get out and carry you inside."

Elise clenched her jaw.

She knew he meant every word. The old Elise might have fought him without hesitation. She might have started an outright war.

But things were different now. She wasn’t alone anymore. There was a child growing inside her.

The last thing she could risk was a physical struggle.

Looking down at her phone, she remained silent for several seconds. Finally, she walked to the rear passenger door and pulled it open.

The door slammed shut behind her with a loud bang.

"I’m not going to Bennett Manor." Her tone was frigid. "Take me downtown."

"You should at least visit Grandmother." Dylan started the car. "She’ll become suspicious if you keep avoiding her."

"She’s going to find out sooner or later." Elise leaned back against the seat. "Besides, doesn’t she have Robin with her now?"

Dylan glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

"You’re jealous of that too?" His voice remained calm. "Robin is my late brother’s son. Grandmother has always felt guilty about what happened to my brother."

A brief pause.

"That’s why she’s especially protective of him. You should understand."

Elise laughed sharply.

"Of course." She folded her arms. "Everything makes perfect sense."

Her sarcasm dripped from every word.

"I should understand Quinn. I should understand Grandmother. I should sympathize with Robin too."

Her temper finally snapped.

"Apparently, I’m some kind of saint." Her eyes flashed with anger. "The entire world is just waiting for Saint Elise to save and forgive everyone."

Dylan pressed his lips together, keeping silent.

Only the sound of Elise’s angry breathing remained inside the car.

She turned toward the window, her hand moving instinctively to her abdomen in a gentle, protective motion.

Through the rearview mirror, Dylan noticed the gesture. His gaze lingered for a moment before shifting away.

A few seconds later, soft music filled the cabin. Gentle piano melodies replaced the heavy silence.

The Phantom continued gliding through the night.

Neither of them spoke again.

About ten minutes later, Dylan’s phone rang.

He lowered the volume and answered.

The vehicle’s soundproof interior carried every word with startling clarity.

A soft, fragile female voice filtered through the speakers.

It was Quinn.

"Dylan..." Her voice trembled. "I got another package."

Fear was evident in every syllable.

"They’re doing it again. I’m scared."

Immediately, Dylan’s expression changed. His voice dropped into a reassuring tone.

"Stay inside the villa." His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Don’t go anywhere. I have security stationed around the property."

A brief pause. Then he added, "I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes."