That night, the moment Eleanor and I were home, she pulled me into our bedroom, her expression serious. She just looked at me, a silent question in her eyes. Finally, I couldn’t hold back. “What’s wrong, honey? Why the long face? You look like a lady pining away
in a tower.”
Eleanor scoffed, a playful annoyance in her voice. “You think this is funny? Chloe came to see you again today, didn’t she?” It was a question, but her tone was absolutely certain. And I knew why she was in such a huff – the jealousy bug had bitten her.
I gently scratched her palm, admitting honestly, “Yes, Chloe did come to see me.”
“And what did she say to you?”
í chuckled, deciding to tease her a little. “She said she didn’t mind that I’m married or that I have a child. She said if I’m willing to
forgive her and get back together, she’d treat Lily as her own.”
Eleanor gnashed her teeth. “Good for her, the nerve! Does she think I’m dead? Lily has a mother, she doesn’t need Chloe playing
stepmom! Hmph! It seems if I don’t give Chloe something to really think about, she won’t back off!”
I instinctively asked, “What are you planning?”
The next second, I was flat on my back on the bed, Eleanor pinning me beneath her. “Caleb, why are you so concerned about her? Are you still thinking about her? Let me tell you something, Caleb. We’re married, and I have absolutely no intention of ever getting divorced. Even if you can’t forget her, you’re stuck with me, Eleanor Beaumont, for life! I promise, as long as you stay with me, I’ll be good to you forever. But if you even think about leaving me, I’d rather die than let you go!”
–
Hearing Eleanor’s fierce, possessive declaration, a warm current flowed through me. This Eleanor – cool and collected on the outs- ide, yet secretly so insecure she was utterly irresistible to me. I captured her lips in a deep kiss, murmuring, “What nonsense are you thinking, my love? I already made it perfectly clear to Chloe. The woman I love is named Eleanor Beaumont. And I’m going to be her husband, and only hers, for the rest of my life.”
Eleanor’s shadowed eyes instantly lit up, shimmering with unshed tears of joy. She kissed me back, fiercely, desperately. Amidst our fervent kisses, I heard her whisper my name, her voice thick with emotion. “Caleb.”
She pulled back slightly, her gaze locking with mine. “Let’s give Lily a little brother or sister, shall we?”
yive Luy a little brother or sister, shall we?”
After that, Chloe stopped trying to contact me. She was dispatched by her family to expand their overseas business. I didn’t know if Eleanor had a hand in that, nor did I ask. As long as it brought peace to the woman I loved, I wouldn’t interfere.
A year later, Eleanor and I welcomed our second child into the world. On the day of the baby’s one–month celebration, a parcel arri- ved from overseas. Inside was a pigeon–egg sized diamond ring and a delicate silver locket. I barely spared them a glance, simply instructing the housekeeper to place them in storage. The past was the past. I only wanted to cherish the vibrant, joyful present I now held in my hands.
