Chapter 4
In the days that followed, Eleanor confined herself to her room, refusing to come downstairs.
It was as if Kane, Selene, and everyone else in the house had erased her from existence, leaving her to fade into the background, unnoticed and unmissed.-
Only the housekeeper’s daily routine of delivering meals reminded her that she was still part of the household, still alive.
Then, on that particular day, the sound of laughter and lively chatter drifted up from downstairs. It seemed a grand party was in the making.
Eleanor suddenly remembered: today was Lillian’s birthday, which also happened to be her own. Yet, this date had never brought her any joy.
From the moment Eleanor was born, Lillian’s tears and the phrase, “Having the same birthday as my sister, will you love her more?” had cast a long shadow, creating a spell that led Selene to overlook Eleanor entirely, along with her birthday.
As always, Lillian’s birthday party was extravagant.
But today, Eleanor, the one locked away in a “gilded cage,” received a rare “pardon” and was allowed to come downstairs.
Kane personally came to her room, bringing a dress with him.
When the door opened, Kane looked at Eleanor’s increasingly pale face, a hint of sorrow flickering in his eyes.
“You haven’t been eating well or resting, have you? You look so worn out,” he said, his voice filled with regret. He sighed, “I share the blame; I’ve neglected you these days. Ellie, please don’t be mad at me.”
As he spoke, he gently tousled her hair, just as he always did.
Eleanor knew she was being foolish, but this man before her was someone she had loved for over twenty years, someone she had risked everything for.
Even if it was just a small gesture after a harsh word, she couldn’t resist savoring it.
She quickly shook her head, “Kay, I’m not upset with you.”
Kane handed her the dress.
“Then hurry and get dressed. Today is Lillian’s birthday, and many friends and family will be here.”
His tone carried a hint of pleading, “Ellie, be considerate. Please don’t cause any trouble with Lillian. Let her have a happy birthday, alright?”
Chapter 4
Eleanor reached out to take the dress, but her hand froze mid–air. She turned to look at Kane, and those eyes, once filled with love, now seemed so distant.
Her voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
“Kay, this is the real reason you came to see me today, isn’t it?”
The absurdity of it all struck her–her fiancé needed the excuse of a “rival” to visit her.
His heart was entirely preoccupied with Lillian’s birthday, completely forgetting that today was also hers.
Kane met her gaze, which was as desolate as a bottomless abyss, and felt a sharp pang of guilt.
Unable to hold back, he stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace, his voice softening further:
“Ellie, I’m doing this for your sake too. I don’t want the rift between you and your sister to deepen.”
“If you’re worried about how close Lillian and I are, remember, our wedding is in three days. Then we’ll be in our new home, and I’ll have more time to be with you, alright?”
Their eyes locked, and his earnestness was unmistakable.
Eleanor looked at him, thinking he must truly be looking forward to their wedding.
If they could successfully marry, it would provide a perfect conclusion to their relationship.
She could then face anything with no regrets.
So she hugged Kane back, burying her head in his chest, indulging in the warmth he provided.
“Kay, I promise to be good tonight.”
“And don’t forget, in three days, you must marry me.”
