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.

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

'He left with her again,' she thought with a bitter smile, then looked away.

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

But Elsie knew that Raina and Nash 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 gestured her response.

"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 mistreats you, we'll set him straight."

Elsie listened, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

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. In that case, I'll leave Ronald to you.]

Missy, upon receiving the reply, was furious as she sensed Elsie's nonchalant attitude.Then 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!]

Missy was livid upon reading it.

How dare Elsie belittle her like that?

After sending the message, Elsie put her phone back in her bag and looked towards the center of the hall.

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

Elsie closed her eyes, picturing Ronald and Missy sitting together.

Their closeness and understanding were something she could never intrude upon.

This marriage had been a joke from the start.

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, then began to sign. "Grandma, I want to divorce Ronald."

Raina's face froze instantly.

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

Elsie calmly repeated herself. "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 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."

Elsie understood, nodding in agreement.

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 cares a lot about what others think,' she speculated. By proposing a divorce, she was putting him in a difficult position. 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 found 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 picked it up and saw it was her former doctor.

Elsie wasn't born mute; she had lost her voice due to psychological trauma. To avoid people gossiping about Ronald having a mute wife, she had been trying to cure her muteness. But after years of no progress, she had given up. She didn't expect a call from her long-lost doctor.

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 muteness!"