Chapter 2
Elliott’s grandfather nodded in anguish.
“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have kept you in the Stone family, Go. Go find a life beyond all this. You deserve
a wider world.”
Saying that, he hunched over, holding the lifeless child, and left.
The tears I had been holding back finally fell.
Years of bitterness and regret surged in my chest
My marriage to Elliott was arranged by his grandfather.
He needed someone to watch over Elliott.
I needed someone to pay for my mother’s expensive medical bill.
So we made a deal.
I quit my job and married Elliott.
After marriage, I learned about Elliott’s tragic past, how he had lost both parents at a young age.
I also saw him crying out for “mom” in his midnight dreams, haunted by those memories.
Our two broken souls, in that moment, seemed to resonate with one another.
I wanted to heal Elliott’s heart.
I dreamed of building a happy family with him.
So, I dedicated myself to being the perfect wife.
I worked hard to improve my cooking skills, trying to replicate the flavor of his mother’s dishes.
I traveled to various places, slowly reconstructing the little cabin from his memories.
I even learned every bed trick to meet his needs.
I thought we would have a happy future together.
But on our wedding anniversary, he shamelessly took my best friend to a hotel.
1.1%
Chapter 2
In a fit of rage, I rushed to confront him.
Elliott sneered, throwing the contract between me and his grandfather in my face.
“Daniella, what do you think you are? Just because I entertained you for a few days, you think you’re actually Mrs. Stone?”
“You’re nothing but a dog my grandpa bought for me. What right do you have to question me about my
affair?”
“Try upsetting me again, and I’ll stop paying your mom’s treatment right away!”
I felt like I had been struck by lightning. I couldn’t say a single word.
From then on, Elliott became even more reckless.
When he was done playing with the influencers and celebrities, he moved on to my friends.
He kept testing my limits, again and again.
On one side, my mom needed medical treatment.
On the other, my marriage was rotten to the core. I almost collapsed.
The two forces pulled me in opposite directions, tearing me apart.
One day, lost in thought, I slipped and fell down the stairs.
That was when I found out I was pregnant.
Elliott’s grandfather pleaded with me, almost desperate. “Daniella, please keep the baby. It could be the turning point for your marriage.”
“If, after the baby is born, and Elliott still doesn’t change, I promise I won’t force you to stay.”
With all sorts of emotions swirling inside me, I agreed.
I tried. I really did. I hadn’t thought about trying so hard for so long.
And after all this effort, in the end…
I lost everything – my mom, my baby, my marriage, my love.
1.6%
His Child Purving My Heart