They were always the first ones I turned to.
123 BONUS
I rushed into Aunt Janice’s arms and rubbed my head into her shoulder like a spoiled child. “Aunt Janice, I missed you so much.”
She gently patted my back, her voice thick with emotion.
“It’s good to have you back, dear. That’s all that matters. No one will ever mistreat you again,” she said softly.
Perhaps it was a common habit among children to share good news but keep the bad to themselves so I hadn’t mentioned my divorce with Callum.
Yet, she saw through my facade, sensing my hurt and pain.
“Alright, Mom,” James said as he interrupted our emotional reunion.
He pushed my suitcase with one hand and took my bag with the other.
His honest face was full of smiles. “Eloise must be starving after such a long flight. Let’s go
home and eat first.”
!
“You’re right, my dear brother,” I teased as I wiped away my tears.
“There’s plenty of time for us. I’ve already decided that I won’t ever leave Azure City. From now on, I’ll be with you every day.”
“Really?”
“That’s wonderful!” Aunt Janice said, overjoyed by my declaration.
Both felt it was only right to go home and celebrate the news.
I smiled as I watched them.
Would you look at that, Callum?
I’m not an orphan. Without you, I still have a family.
It was still a home filled with care and love, a place that made me feel at ease.
After dinner, I remembered that I had turned off my phone.
As soon as I turned it back on, I was bombarded with a flood of missed calls and messages.
The phone buzzed incessantly- it was Callum.
James noticed the change in my expression and, with a comforting smile, handed me a glass of milk.
“If you don’t want to answer, then don’t. Don’t force yourself to. I’m here for you, whatever you decide to do.”
2/4
+25 BONUS
“It’s fine,” I said, forcing a smile and trying to hide my frustration. “Some things need to be cleared up. Trust me, I can handle this.”
I answered the call and immediately, Callum’s furious voice rang out.
“Not answering the phone, not replying to messages–Eloise, you really are something!
“You’ve ruined Hannah’s future, and now you’re playing hide–and–seek. What’s wrong with you?
“I’m giving you half an hour. I don’t care if you crawl or roll back home, but you’d better come back and apologize to Hannah right now!”
Amid his shouting, I could hear Hannah’s sobs, adding fuel to the fire.
“Don’t blame Eloise, Callum. It’s my fault for not knowing my place and causing her to misunderstand the situation.
“I don’t care about being a celebrity in the future. I only worry about how it’ll affect your reputation…‘
As expected, Callum became even angrier at the veiled suggestion.
x
“Get back here and apologize, Eloise. If you’re sincere, I might give you another chance. Otherwise, you can forget about keeping your studio open.”
It was laughable–he was so bold in his threats.
“Who do you think you’re talking to? Don’t forget, we’re already divorced,” I reminded him.
“So what if we are?” Callum seemed to be adjusting to o,,.
remained defiant.
new rela
new relationship, yet his tone
“If you don’t apologize, I still have ways to shut down your studio.”
“You don’t need to worry about that, Callum,” I replied casually as I took a sip of my milk.
“I’ve already transferred ownership of the studio. Please don’t contact me again, ex–husband.
Callum paused at my
words.
“I don’t care, you have to apologize to Hannah and explain this to everyone. Otherwise, no
matter where you are, I will make you pay for what you’ve done.”
カレン
I let out a cold laugh. “I advise you to get your eyes checked, Callum. If you can’t even see through such petty tricks, how can you lead the Kipling Group to greatness?
“As for Hannah, she absolutely must enter the entertainment industry. Otherwise, with her talent for acting, it would be such a waste.”
It was the first time I had spoken so tactlessly to Callum.
3/4
Chapter 5
+26 BONUS
He was stunned into silence.
Taking advantage of the moment, I hung up the phone.
Then, I blocked and deleted his number entirely.
When his name disappeared from the top of my contacts list, it felt as though I had finally erased him from my life.
Today’s Bonus Offer
