Chapter 5

"Eleanor, I won't divorce you."

On the phone, Arthur's voice was resolute.

"I've thought hard about this. I'm sorry about our daughter, but I can't change what happened..."

"Don't you dare mention my daughter." My voice was icy.

He paused, then continued. "That's why I need to make it up to you. It's all my fault—all the pain I've caused you over the years..."

I chuckled. "Found your conscience? Feeling guilty now? The great CEO, feeling guilt for someone?"

Arthur stayed calm, ignoring my sarcasm. "I know you're angry. I'll give you time to cool off. Let's just hold off on the divorce for now, okay?"

"So, you're refusing?"

"I'm refusing."

"Fine. I'll see you in court, then."

I hung up.

Looking around the empty house, I felt like I could still hear my daughter's laughter. Our patched-together home, which had seemed so perfect, was actually full of cracks. And today, it finally collapsed.

I lay on the floor, crying, lost in memories. I recalled our happy times—him holding me in his arms, whispering about how much he loved me, vowing to cherish me forever. But vows only matter when love still exists.

In a daze, I could hear my daughter's laughter echoing. On the balcony, by the sink, in the kitchen.

"Sweetie, is that you?"

"You came to see Mommy..."

Tears blurred my vision as I chased the fading light. Everywhere I looked, the house held her memory.

"I'm sorry, Mommy's useless. I couldn't save you..."

"In your next life, find a good family and live happily..."

I sobbed like a helpless child, desperately trying to find an outlet for days of unbearable sorrow.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone was at the door.

"My girl, you're back from school."

I rushed to the door and flung it open. "Sweetie..."

"It's me."

My arms met only air. Arthur was standing there, gazing at me with a flicker of pain in his eyes.

"You've been crying?" He reached out to wipe my tears.

"Don't touch me." I took a step back and glared at him with pure hatred. "Don't you dare touch me with your dirty hands."

My words seemed to strike a nerve. "Don't do this, please."

"I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry..."

"You didn't mean to smash her urn?" I sneered. "Stop pretending. I can see your true face clearly now. Arthur, you're scum!"

"Scum or not, whatever you want to call me, I accept it. Just... don't divorce me." He pleaded with his eyes, his voice dropping to a desperate murmur.

"Save your goodwill. All these years, weren't you already tired of me? Didn't you dream of being with your lover?" I waved him off, trying to shut the door. "You're free. We're done. From the moment she died, we were done for good."

"No, I love you." He grabbed the edge of the door, his eyes bloodshot and his face twisted in pain.

"Love me?" I smiled brightly, looking straight into his eyes. "Do you have any idea how much she suffered before she died? She endured unimaginable agony, and you were with your first love!"

I spat the words through gritted teeth, tears falling freely.

He shook, violently shaking his head and muttering apologies.

"Do you know who she called last?" I curled my lips in a bitter smile. "She called her daddy. She asked her teacher why he wasn't answering. She asked if he was... abandoning her."

"Enough, please, stop..." Arthur bit his lower lip so hard it bled. His eyes were red, and his entire body trembled. "Daddy's sorry, sweetie. I'm a monster..."

He slapped himself across the face, over and over, until his cheek swelled.

"A monster, huh." I jabbed a finger hard into his chest. "The daddy she longed for scattered her ashes. Don't you feel anything in there?"

"I'll make it right, Eleanor. Trust me." He looked up, his voice hoarse and broken.

I sneered, completely rejecting him. "Sorry, no. What's done is done. I will never forgive you, and I will never give you the chance to atone."