Chapter 8

The party was still going strong, the grand hall brightly lit and buzzing with laughter and chatter.

Elsie descended the stairs, her eyes scanning the room, but there was no sign of Ronald or Missy.

He left with her again.

She stood still, her expression calm, but a deep coldness flickered in her eyes.

The laughter and conversation filled the hall, as if no one noticed Ronald's absence.

But Ronald's grandparents would definitely notice.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before Raina approached, looking displeased.

"Elsie, where's Ronald?" Raina asked, holding her hand, her tone carrying a hint of frustration.

Elsie lowered her head, gently pulling her hand free from Raina's grip, and signed.

"He had something to take care of and left early."

"Something to take care of?" Raina frowned, her tone icy. "Every time it's the same excuse. What could be more important than you?"

Nash walked over, patting Raina's shoulder, his voice calm. " Don't be upset, Raina. Ronald is just obstinate and too serious about his work."

He then turned to Elsie, his tone softening. "Elsie, don't take it to heart. Your grandmother and I know you're a good person. If Ronald doesn't treat you well, we'll set him straight."

Elsie listened, a faint smile appearing on her lips, then she nodded.

Before the party ended, Elsie's phone buzzed.

She checked it and saw a message from Missy.

[Elsie, so what if Raina likes you? Ronald's heart belongs to me! He's only staying married to you because of the Borgia family's reputation. You should know better and stop clinging to Ronald.]

The message was full of provocation, as if Missy feared Elsie would steal her long-coveted prize.

Elsie smirked coldly, her fingers quickly typing a reply.

[I didn't expect you to care so much. Fine, I'll toss Ronald to you!]

Missy had expected Elsie to be angry, but instead she wasn't angry at all and treated Ronald like trash, which could be thrown away casually. Missy was absolutely furious.

Elsie thought for a moment and sent another message.

[If Ronald wants a divorce, he can tell me himself. You have no say in this!]

In a rage, Missy kept sending messages, but Elsie didn't care at all. She put her phone back in her bag and looked toward the center of the hall.

The lights were dazzling, but her eyes were filled with indifference.

The image of Missy holding Ronald's arm in her mind, made her feel like this marriage was a joke.

She no longer wanted to be part of this love triangle.

All she wanted now was to leave this place of conflict and go to a small town in Novaria.

In that town, Cedric's tombstone stood quietly.

There, she could find the peace she longed for and all the happy memories she once had.

Elsie took a deep breath, opened her phone, and checked her flight information.

In three days, she would leave and say goodbye to all of this.

After the party ended, Raina took Elsie's hand and led her to a quiet lounge.

Elsie sat beside her obediently, while Raina held her hand tightly, full of concern.

"Elsie, is there something you want to tell me?" Raina's tone was gentle but serious.

Elsie looked into Raina's expectant eyes, silent for a moment. Considering that sign language would be too slow, she began typing on her phone.

[Grandma, I want to divorce Ronald.]

Raina's face froze instantly.

"What do you mean?" Her eyes widened, her voice rising slightly.

Elsie calmly typed another message, []I've talked to him, and he agreed to the divorce. This might be the best outcome for both of us.]

Raina stared at her, then sighed deeply. Her gaze lingered on Elsie's face, a hint of sorrow in her eyes. "Elsie, are you sure about this?" Her voice was filled with reluctance.

Elsie nodded, her eyes firm. "Grandma, I've made up my mind."

Raina raised her hand, gently touching Elsie's face, her tone full of emotion and reluctance. "Elsie, I really don't want to let you go. You look so much like my late daughter. Seeing you is like seeing my own daughter!"

Elsie was slightly taken aback, her fingers hesitating. She knew Raina had come to dote on her like her own daughter. She also held deep respect for Raina.

Raina sighed, looking at Nash, then back at Elsie, searching for a suitable reason. "This matter needs your grandmother's approval. After all, our families are bound by marriage. Without her consent, the divorce can't be finalized."

Raina was right; a marriage alliance indeed concerned both families, so Elsie had no choice but to agree.

Given the situation, Missy would be more anxious than her. She had sent so many provocative messages in one night, clearly impatient.

On the way back, Elsie leaned against the car window, her thoughts drifting. She couldn't understand why Ronald was so reluctant to divorce. He had long lost any hope for this marriage.

'Maybe it's about saving face. He also places particular importance on the reputation of the York family.' she speculated. By proposing a divorce, she was making him lose face. Of course, he would want to regain control.

Thinking this, Elsie let out a cold laugh, her eyes filled with irony.

Back at her apartment, everything was neatly arranged. The items from their marital home were organized meticulously.

Elsie was alone in the room, the silence almost oppressive.

She looked at the familiar objects, feeling a strange sense of unfamiliarity and discomfort. This cold, quiet environment made her feel an indescribable sense of oppression.

She sat down on the sofa, reaching for the diary on the coffee table. Opening it to the first page, she took out an old photograph. In the photo, Cedric was smiling brightly, the sunlight making the whole scene glow.

She stared at the photo for a long time, her eyes welling up.

"Cedric..." She silently mouthed his name, her eyes filled with exhaustion. "Just a little longer, and I'll be with you."

As she put down the photo, her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and saw that the call was from her former physician.

In fact, Elsie wasn't born mute; the doctors explained that her traumatic mutism was a result of severe psychological trauma she had experienced as a child.

To avoid people gossiping about Ronald having a mute wife, she had been trying to cure her traumatic mutism. But after years of no progress, she had given up.

Elsie hesitated for a moment, then answered the call.

"Ms. Forbes," the doctor's voice came through, excited. "We have a new treatment for your traumatic mutism!"