Chapter 15
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“Isabella graduated from a top–ten university in the world,” Samuel added loudly. “There’s no way she wouldn’t know how to solve these questions.”
At that point, even the densest person in the room understood exactly what was going on.
Whispers spread through the office, each one stinging like a slap. Isabella’s face flushed red. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
“Logan,” she quickly turned to Logan for help. “You know what my life overseas was like better than anyone…”
Logan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. “If there’s a problem with the child’s studies, then it’s on us as parents,” he said evenly. “It has nothing to do with anyone else.”
He then turned to Brenda and apologized, “Sorry, Ms. Todd. I’ll make sure Samuel learns from today’s lesson. As for the fighting, I’ll give everyone a satisfactory explanation.”
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The other parents immediately softened, waving it off and saying it was no big deal.
They’d dared to target Eliana only because they thought Logan didn’t care about her. But now, standing in front of Logan himself, the conflict between kids didn’t matter nearly as much as not offending him.
Eliana watched the drama coldly. She’d expected this outcome, yet her chest still felt hollow.
She knew Logan was protecting Isabella. Even knowing she wasn’t nearly as capable as she pretended to be, he still chose to divert the issue and shield her.
Eliana had seen through this long ago in her previous life. But watching it happen again still made her chest feel heavy. She suppressed the ache and glanced at Logan.
“Since you’re so confident you can handle Samuel’s education,” she said coldly, “then please cooperate with Ms. Todd and update the school’s parent contact information. Plus, we’re getting divorced. Act like an ex, and stop bothering me.”
With that, she nodded briefly to Brenda and turned to leave. Logan frowned as he watched her go. After telling Isabella to help update the contact details, he quickly followed Eliana outside.
Eliana had already gotten into her car, but Logan rushed up and blocked the door before she could close it.
‘Getting worked up again?” he demanded, irritation creeping in. “Eliana, why do you get upset over such small things now? Isabella is not Samuel’s mother. Even if she taught him the wrong answer, did we really need to embarrass her like that?”
Eliana let out a bitter laugh. “So because I am Samuel’s mom,” she said, “you think it’s perfectly fine to watch me get humiliated again and again, and pretend you don’t see it? If that’s the case, I’d rather not be his mother at all.”
She reached for the door again, but Logan didn’t let go. “Wait,” Logan glared at her. “Do you even hear yourself?”
He didn’t expect Eliana to be this cold. But remembering the chaos at home, he forced his tone down. “I thought you could handle this. You’ve always known this was a marriage of convenience,” he continued. “I can’t prioritize your feelings. It’s been six years. I thought you were used to this.”
‘I wasn’t,” Eliana shot back. “I endured it. And now I don’t want to anymore. From day one, you talked to me about the dos and don’ts. On paper, I was Mrs. Eliot, but in reality, everyone felt free to look down on me. After Isabella came back half a year ago, I have no place in this home anymore.”
Since divorce was already on the table, Eliana believed there was no point holding back. She continued. “A few months ago,
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Chapter 15
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when I got dragged into a dispute, where were you? I called you to bail me out, but you either didn’t answer or hung up before I could speak. In the end, Irene had to rush over so I could get out.”
“And a month ago, when I was hospitalized, the doctors said I needed a family member with me. Do you know what you were doing then?” She looked straight at him, two lifetimes of grievances came crashing out at once. “A marriage like this really means nothing. Maybe this was a mistake from the start. We should just cut our losses.”
But Logan shook his head, almost sneered.
“So it still comes back to Isabella, doesn’t it?” he asked. “I told you, she saved my life five years ago. I owe her. I thought you understood. Why are you suddenly being so petty after only half a year?”
Eliana felt drained. She took a slow breath. “It doesn’t matter anymore,” instead of explaining, she replied calmly. “After the divorce, you can repay her however you want. Just remember, I owe her nothing. If you want to make it up to her, do it yourself. Don’t drag me into it.”
With that, she shoved his hand away, slammed the door shut, and drove off.
Years of grievances spilled out in that moment, and they were far too much to be resolved with a few words. In her previous life, it was exactly these so–called “small things” that had cost her everything.
She’d exhausted herself for this family, and collapsed countless times from sheer fatigue. Even the day everything went wrong, she’d been running errands for Hannah.
The irony was almost laughable. The Eliots thought they knew how to keep their boundaries, yet they never once felt embarrassed when using her. She found out that she had only just seen through it all now.
The car disappeared down the road. Logan stood where he was, and for the first time, a real sense of unease rose in his chest.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
