Colin didn't respond; he just watched her with his intense green eyes.
Elisse felt hope rise in her chest, thinking he had come to ask for a second chance. If that were the case, she was willing to accept him—for the sake of the child in her belly. But whatever hope had sprung in her chest withered immediately when he placed a box on the floor and said, "They were cluttering my room, so I'm here to return your trash."
She opened the box and found her hairbrush, clothes, and other things. But what hurt the most was seeing him return the gifts she had given him. One was a photo album she had meticulously compiled over five years. There was also a knitted bonnet and sweater she had spent 36 hours creating.
"You could just throw it away without me knowing. Do you have to do this to hurt my feelings?" Her voice trembled, betraying her attempt to stay composed.
"But would it hurt more if I threw them all away instead of returning them?" He asked casually, indifference evident in his tone.
Elisse felt a pang of hurt, realizing he no longer cared about her feelings. "It wouldn't because at least I didn't know," she replied softly.
"Do you expect me to say sorry? Was it my fault that you felt that way?" He sneered. Elisse was too stunned to respond. He started walking away, not even sparing her a goodbye, but she reached out and pulled him back.
"Is Sheila the reason you are divorcing me?" The words tumbled out before she could stop herself.
He froze, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face her. "Sheila is innocent of all this. She doesn't even know we are divorcing. Stop dragging her into this." He took a step back, but Elisse grabbed his arm again. He jerked away, as though her hand burned him. "What do you want?" He muttered impatiently.
"A-are you… in love with Sheila?" She whispered. He hadn't responded yet, but the silence was suffocating, and her heart felt as though it were drowning in pain.
Colin hesitated, his gaze locking onto hers. "I don't..." he answered, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words. His eyes darted away briefly before returning to meet hers.
"Sheila is a good woman; anyone could fall for her," he continued, his tone softer now. "I wouldn't be surprised if I did, either."
Elisse had prepared herself for this, but it still hurt deeply. Before Colin climbed into his car, he left her a message that made her ears ring: "I don't care how many men you sleep with, but please don't flaunt it in public. It's not just embarrassing you—it's dragging my name through the mud." Before she could ask him what he meant, he was already inside his car. He stepped on the accelerator and drove away, leaving her with unanswered questions.
Her eyes remained locked on his car until it vanished from sight. When her gaze finally shifted, it fell on the newspaper her brother had forgotten to pick up earlier. She quietly closed the door, still reeling from Colin's words. As she tossed the paper onto the table, it began to roll open, revealing the front page. The headline read: "Two-Timing Gold Digger Exposed! Billionaire's Girlfriend Caught Checking Into a Motel with the Mayor's Son!"
A picture of her and Mark in front of the Love Motel dominated the page. It had been taken in a way that made it look as though they were entering the motel, when in reality, they were simply passing by.
Colin must have seen the newspaper. That must be the reason he hated her so much. He must have misunderstood her relationship with Sheila's half-brother.
Elisse tore the newspaper into shreds and tossed it into the trash can. The last thing she wanted was for her brother to see those scandalous headlines.
Hurrying to her room, she took a quick shower. She had to see Colin again and explain everything. Once she was done, she emerged from the bathroom to change into a loose t-shirt and sweatpants. She didn't bother styling her hair; instead, she let it fall freely, allowing the wind to dry it. With keys in hand, she got into her car and drove down the length of Rose Boulevard.
It was a bustling morning, with cars lining the streets and people hurrying along the sidewalks. As she drove, her eyes darted between the stoplights, which flickered from red to green. She pressed the accelerator before the light turned red again.
Her eyes fleetingly glanced at a familiar café. It was a place she and Colin used to frequent to unwind after long days at work. Now that they were no longer together, the sight of it filled her with a bittersweet nostalgia.
She continued to drive. Her focus remained on the road, keeping her from destructive thoughts. A few moments later, the sight of the colossal Bradford Empire came into view. It was an expansive building with an imposing structure, a sign of the wealth and power of the Bradford family.
She slowed her car, her eyes scanning the entrance where a pair of guards stood. After parking, she made her way to the entrance, where she was fortunate to be allowed entry without showing any ID since the guards knew her.
Colin's office was located on the top floor. Elisse pressed the elevator button to her destination, when it opened, she hurriedly walked down the hallway.
A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair greeted her at the door. She was dressed in a sophisticated miniskirt, tailored blazer, and crisp button-down shirt. "Employees are restricted in this area," the woman said, sizing her up from head to toe.
Colin had never told Elisse he had changed his secretary. Given that the woman did not recognize her, she must be new to the position. "I'm not an employee," Elisse told the woman in a polite manner despite her rude behavior. "Your boss knew me. Please inform him that Miss Winters is here to see him." She added.
The woman raised an eyebrow in response. She wasn't clearly convinced. "Apologies, but Mr. Bradford is in the middle of an important meeting. No one is allowed to see him at the moment," she replied curtly. When Elisse didn't move, she added, "Please leave. Don't make me call the guards to drag you out."
Elisse's cheeks turned beet red. She had never been treated rudely like this before. However, she still managed to respond in a cool way. "I apologize for the inconvenience, but please inform him after the meeting that Elisse Winters is waiting for him in the lobby." Without waiting for a response, Elisse retraced her steps to the elevator. She went down to the lobby, where she decided to wait for Colin.
—
Three hours later…
The elevator opened with a ding. Elisse, who had been perched on the lobby sofa long enough to feel the cramps in her legs, instinctively stood up at the sight of a man stepping briskly out of the elevator.
"Colin." She hurried toward him, but he walked right past her, as if she were a ghost he couldn't see. He didn't spare her a glance; his eyes remained glued to the door where his date waited.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sheila," Colin said gently. He leaned closer and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"I didn't wait long. I just actually arrived," Sheila replied, a wide smile spreading across her face. She was unaware that Elisse was nearby, hidden from view by Colin's large frame.
"Shall we go?" Colin offered his arm, and Sheila gladly accepted it. Together, they walked toward the door like a perfect couple.
Elisse, watching from the sidelines, struggled to hold back her tears. She loved Colin with all her heart, but if he was happy with another woman, she just had to let him go.