Chapter 3

Ronald had seen Elsie in all kinds of moods.

He'd seen her playful, smiling with those crinkly eyes, and even pretending to be mad.

But no matter what mood she was in, Elsie's eyes had always been bright, rather than the lifeless and dull state they were in now. Ronald felt a sudden pang in his chest. It was like something really important was slipping away from his life.

His eyes turned cold. "Elsie, how long are you gonna keep this up? Do you think I care about you? Compared to Missy, you don't even come close."

Ronald's words were harsh.

In his rage, there was also a hint of his own hope.

Even if Elsie got mad at him, he'd be happy. Or if she argued and fought with him.

But none of those emotions were there.

Elsie just looked at him deeply, her gaze tracing the contours of his face once more.

Even though she had treated him as a stand-in for Cedric, the feelings she had invested were real.

And in that moment of hesitation, Ronald felt a glimmer of hope.

He softened his tone, "I hope you think this through. Marriage is not something to joke about. We got married because of the pressure from the Borgia family and the Forbes family. You will not have a second chance to be with me once we are divorced."

Elsie looked at him expressionlessly, "I'm not joking. I'm serious."

Her sign language was slow, each movement clear to Ronald, but he didn't want to see it anymore.

He tugged at his tie in frustration and spoke angrily, "You hurt Missy so badly, and I just asked you to apologize. Elsie, don't think you can erase all your wrongdoings through sheer willfulness."

A look of mockery flashed in Elsie's eyes.

She hadn't done anything; she didn't even know what Ronald was accusing her of, yet she had to bear such a heavy blame. How unfair was that?

Elsie continued signing, "Think whatever you want. I just want a divorce now."

She glanced at her watch. "I don't want to waste any more time with you. I need to get ready for my performance."

Ronald's eyes grew more irritated, and his tone turned cold. "Grandma's birthday party is coming up. You have to go with me to see her. We'll talk about the divorce after the party."

"Fine." With that, Elsie left the dressing room without hesitation.

The time meant for her to rest and change outfits had been taken up by Ronald, and now it was too late.

Elsie's legs felt weak; she went on stage in the same dress.

She endured the excruciating pain in her fingers and continued to play the smooth notes.

Thankfully, everything went well.

The applause from the audience was thunderous and unending.

Elsie smiled gracefully, holding the flowers Julie had just given her, and bowed to the audience.

At that moment, her eyes stung a little.

She had worked hard to stand on the stage of the Peace Dove Award competition, but the opportunities left were few.

In the audience, Ronald and Missy were nowhere to be seen.

Elsie glanced at the white piano on stage, hiding the bitterness in her eyes.

After stepping off the stage, she took two painkillers.

Just then, Nina, the maid who had taken care of her since she was young, sent her a message.

Nina: [Elsie, a package just arrived from Novaria, addressed to you.]

Novaria! The name of that country instantly touched Elsie's heart.

Elsie: [I'll be right back.]

Elsie rushed back as fast as she could.

Her expression was urgent as she ran all the way.

Her heart was pounding, and she couldn't hide the anxiety in her eyes.

The package sent to her from Novaria was certainly connected to Cedric.

When she saw the sender's name, Cedric Valois, in the living room, the emotions she had been holding back surged, and she almost cried.

Six years ago, she couldn't accept the harsh reality and frantically searched for him everywhere.

She even fell into depression and wanted to leave this world. Nina quickly contacted the Forbes family, who forcibly brought her back to the country.

At the introduction party the Forbes family held for her, she was dispirited and met Ronald, who was then facing a family crisis.

He was dressed casually, and his face, which haunted her dreams, appeared before her. He looked at her coldly.

In that moment, it was as if light had shone into her world again.

After six years, she finally heard news about Cedric.

Elsie opened the package with trembling hands. Inside was a diary and a handwritten letter.

Cedric's mother: [These are items I found while cleaning Cedric's room. The diary entries are all about you. I thought you should have them.]

Elsie's eyes welled up as she picked up the diary.

Cedric had a habit of keeping a diary, meticulously chronicling events both significant and trivial every day.

As Elsie flipped through it, she saw that the entries were all about piano and her.

Cedric: [October 5th, the weather is gloomy today; it's going to rain. I hate rainy days, but I get to see Elsie and practice piano with her.]

Cedric: [November 12th, I gave Elsie a bouquet of flowers. Seeing her smile made me feel so happy.]

As she read on, the content grew more sorrowful.

It was as if his life was counting down.

Elsie's eyes blurred, tears dripping onto her hands.

Cedric: [If only time could slow down. I want to be with Elsie forever.]

Cedric: [I pray to God not to separate us. I'd rather be tormented by illness for a lifetime.]

The diary recorded the time they spent together and Cedric's sincere feelings that he never expressed.

Elsie knelt on the floor, clutching the diary to her chest.

Her long-suppressed sobs finally broke free in a torrent, but she writhed in agony, unable to utter a sound.

Cedric, a gentle and kind person, always took care of her. How could she ever forget?

Nina looked at Elsie with heartache, "Elsie..."

Elsie shook her head slowly, signing, "I'm fine."

The diary was like Pandora's box, completely awakening Elsie's memories.

Cedric and Ronald were two entirely different people. How could she have insulted Cedric by treating Ronald as his substitute?

Elsie clenched her fists. This marriage had to end.

She took out her phone and messaged Ronald.

Elsie: [When do you have time to finalize the divorce?]

Ronald: [I have time tomorrow.]

Ronald's reply was quick.

Elsie felt a twinge of irony. He was so heartless.

She had saved his life and devoted so much to him over the span of those four years.

She had been desperate to make up for what she owed Cedric by giving it all to Ronald.

She had cooked for him with her piano-playing hands, taken care of his daily needs, and even sacrificed her career. And what did she get in return?

Ronald was probably so eager to divorce because he wanted to marry the pregnant Missy.

Feeling a sharp pain in her heart, Elsie frowned, glanced at the diary beside her, and came to her senses.

She coldly replied. [Fine.]