Chapter 2

Maybe it wasn't love at all. Hadden was just used to having everything under his control; his possessiveness and need to dominate were simply part of who he was, nothing more.

Our marriage was the one thing in his life that didn't go according to plan.

That was why he started to grow cold toward me, pull away, and eventually, even resent me.

I spent the best ten years of my life, only to end up with the wrong answer. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I'd choose to walk away.

Trying to make someone love me who never did—what's the point?

After a moment, I pulled myself out of my thoughts, then said to Priscilla, "Priscilla, I'm thinking of heading to Veritas."

Priscilla blinked in surprise. "Is it because of Hadden?"

"Yes, and no," I replied.

Half a month ago, my professor messaged me to say I'd been accepted into Veritas University.

Hadden happened to be in the living room, warming my feet for me. He didn't say a word, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.

Veritas was just too far from Erisia.

It was over 4,300 miles away, a ten-hour flight. He couldn't stand the thought of not seeing me, so I ended up letting the opportunity slip away.

When Priscilla found out, she called me up and chewed me out. "Don't even think about it. Your future comes first, always."

But I didn't listen, at least not in my previous life.

Back then, as long as Hadden was part of the choice, he was my answer. Nothing else mattered.

But now, it was time for me to live for myself.

"Whatever the reason, I'm just glad you finally figured it out," Priscilla said.

"Honestly, Hadden's really not worth your time. He's seven years older than you. Why not go for one of those young hunks at the bar instead?

"If that's your thing, I will hook you up myself."

"Eleanor," Hadden's voice suddenly cut in, sharp and unexpected.

He was right behind me, his face stormy, his icy stare pinning me in place.

My heart plummeted.

I had no clue how much he'd heard, but it was obvious he was barely holding back his anger.

"Come here," Hadden commanded, his voice brooking no argument.

Priscilla instinctively pulled me behind her. "She doesn't have to go just because you say so. Who do you think you are?

"What gives you the right—"

"Eleanor, I won't say it again." Hadden's voice went cold, every word laced with an authority you couldn't defy.

His command instantly took me back to the third month after we got together.

I'd snuck off to a skateboarding competition behind Hadden's back. Right near the finish line, my wheel got jammed with sawdust, and I was sent sprawling.

When he rushed to the hospital and saw me, he didn't hesitate—right there in front of everyone, he took off his belt and started striking my palm.

He kept going, hitting me over thirty times.

No one in the hospital room dared to step in. Everyone just kept their heads down, silent, while my cries of pain echoed through the room.

Ever since he was a kid, Hadden was the backbone of the family, with two younger brothers under him. Whenever something went wrong, he was always the one who took the fall. His parents would just punish him and say, "It's your job as the eldest to take responsibility."

No matter how much trouble his brothers stirred up, no matter how big the mess, Hadden always ended up shouldering the consequences.

Little by little, he turned into a total alpha—overbearing, obsessed with control. He never repeated himself, and no one dared to question him.

Now, he ran the whole Males family like clockwork, and he was the big boss of Erisia.

Nobody had the guts to defy him.

I didn't want to get mixed up with Hadden anymore, but I knew if I didn't play along, he'd probably make a scene or do something to embarrass me right in front of Priscilla.

So I let her go ahead.

"Are you crazy? Why are you still doing what he says?" Priscilla grabbed my arm, totally incredulous.

I patted her hand softly, trying to reassure her. "I'll handle it. Don't worry.

"I'm not going to make the same mistake again."

Once was more than enough.

Priscilla could tell I meant it. She still wasn't happy about it, but she turned and left, though not before giving Hadden a death glare on her way out.

Hadden gave a cold chuckle. "Guess I'm the villain now, huh?"

I didn't bother answering his question. Instead, I asked, "What do you want with me?"

He glanced at me, probably assuming I was mad about him and Jane. With a heavy sigh, he reached out and grabbed my arm.

He pulled me into the elevator and hit the button for the top floor.