Chapter 4The Six-Year Setup

In the morning, I found Elliot sitting in the living room. He had clearly been up all night; the ashtray was full of cigarette butts.

He had come back after dropping Liam off at school.

This time, I directly pulled out the divorce papers: "Let's divorce."

He jerked his head up, his eyes bloodshot. "Sloane, stop being stubborn. Saying 'divorce' once is enough."

His voice softened. "We were doing so well. Can we stop this nonsense?"

I looked at him coldly. "Doing well? I apologize for giving you that illusion."

"What do you mean? I explained the secretary thing to you long ago; I was set up." His face instantly paled.

"If it's because of Audrey, there's even less need. You saw it last night; I only helped her because I know your relationship with the Jenkins family. She is your sister, after all."

I slammed the divorce papers fiercely onto his smug face. "If you really knew, you wouldn't be spouting such bullshit!"

"Elliot, what exactly are you trying to do? Dig up my dark past to whitewash yourself and Audrey?"

Because I threw them so hard, the sharp edges of the paper cut several bloody scratches on his face, but he looked at me as if he didn't feel the pain.

After a long while, he finally spoke. "Sloane, the older generation's affairs have nothing to do with you. Reconciling with the Jenkins family would benefit you. I know you still care about your background and Arthur."

My years of composure completely crumbled at this moment.

It took immense effort to control my emotions.

"So, is that what Audrey told you? Or is that what you think? Elliot, you're truly despicable. My background, and Arthur—what does any of that have to do with my divorcing you!"

My tears rolled down like a relentless flood.

"You promised me. You said you would never let women on the outside hurt me again. But now, not only are you hurting me, you're hurting Liam! And you not only refuse to admit your mistake, you pretend to be my savior!"

Did he really not know? I had spent my entire life trying to distance myself from the Jenkins family.

When my mother went crazy and caused a scene, I wished their whole family would just die!

What gave him the right to casually step up and say he was helping me get recognized by the family, fulfilling my wish?

Elliot's eyes showed confusion and a hint of panic. "Sloane, if you don't want to, I can—"

I silently picked up the papers scattered on the floor one by one. By the time I gathered them all, I had regained my calm.

"There's no need. Sign it. Do you still remember what you promised me six years ago when I was on the brink of death?"

I threw out my final trump card, staring into his eyes, forcing him to recall that day.

"I said, Elliot, if one day I find I still can't let it go, please don't stop me. Set me free."

Back then, he knelt by my hospital bed, holding my hand, sobbing with regret and self-blame, his tears pooling in my palm.

"Sloane, I won't. I won't make another mistake. I will definitely treat you well." He promised me over and over again.

The doctor standing by urged us, saying I needed a D&C immediately; blood had already soaked the bed.

With a pale face, I stubbornly looked at Elliot, insisting on an answer.

"Okay, I promise you. If you ever want to be free."

As soon as he finished speaking, I passed out from the pain.

Elliot seemed to suddenly wake up. He hugged me, his voice pleading: "Sloane, don't do this. I'll change. I'll change everything, okay?"

I silently refused.

After a long time, he finally let me go slowly.

Then he stood up, placed his hands on my shoulders, and asked in a deep voice: "Sloane, do we really have to go this far?"

I knew Elliot could bow his head to me, but his pride wouldn't allow him to keep begging relentlessly.

"Yes," I said.

His eyes suddenly turned fierce. "Even if I won't make it easy for you to leave? Even if I might leave you with nothing?"

I looked at him calmly, showing no weakness. "Yes."

Elliot tilted his head back, closed his eyes, then roughly threw my hand off and turned his back to me.

"I will have the divorce papers redrafted. I want Liam. As for the rest, don't worry, the result will satisfy you."

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Vance."

I walked out the door; he didn't even look back.

Tori hurried over to meet me. Seeing my state, she asked in alarm, "What happened? Did you argue? Did you fight? What's the result?"

I pulled out a tissue, wiped away the damp tear tracks, and gently tossed it into a nearby trash can.

"It's done. Let's go." I calmly slid into the car.

Tori didn't understand. Negotiating a divorce with a shrewd investor like Elliot, getting emotional was foolish. Rational calculation held no chance of winning either.

I was very satisfied with my performance today.

"I guess I won't have to be running errands for Audrey anymore," Tori said, rubbing her chin.

I smiled, looking down. "No need. From here on out, she won't have time to worry about anything else."