Chapter 3
Elise had always believed she was unwanted, left behind by everyone.
That's why, ever since she was a kid, she tried to be the perfect child. She was scared to bother anyone, scared people would hate her, scared that if she wasn't perfect, she'd be abandoned all over again.
Why did she stick it out for three whole years in the Wright family?
Because deep down, she always thought she was never the kind of person anyone would choose to stay with.
But now, someone was telling her that wasn't true.
It wasn't that they didn't want her.
They lost her, and had been searching for her for so many years.
"Elise?" Gavin called out.
Somehow, Gavin had hung up and walked over, catching her off guard.
His gaze flicked past Jeffery's Bentley, then settled on the group. He frowned, clearly confused and trying to figure out what was going on.
"Who are they?" he asked.
Elise parted her lips, but for a second, she was lost for words.
Alieen turned to Gavin, her eyes still wet with tears, but her expression had turned cold.
"You're her husband?" she asked.
Gavin paused, then corrected, "Ex-husband."
The word landed in the air like a pinprick, sharp and sudden.
Alieen's face went pale, as if she'd only noticed the divorce papers in Elise's hand.
She glanced down, and her eyes filled with tears again.
"You... got divorced today?" Alieen asked, her voice trembling.
Elise was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Alieen's hand clenched so tightly that her pale knuckles turned bluish.
She'd spent twenty-five years searching for her daughter, and now, their first meeting was outside the Civil Hall, of all places.
Elise should've grown up cherished and protected, proud, shining, and carefree.
But instead, she stood there pale, her eyes red from crying, having ended a marriage that nearly broke her.
Jeffery's gaze darkened.
"Mr. Wright," he said, his voice calm but icy, "looks like my daughter didn't have it easy with you these past few years."
Gavin's expression changed.
"Daughter?" he blurted out, instinctively looking at Elise, as if he was realizing something. "You mean she's..."
"She's the Schmitt family's daughter," the young man who'd been silent finally spoke up, his voice low and cold. "Their biological daughter."
For the first time, Gavin's gaze truly landed on Elise.
As if she were a stranger to him now.
Elise stood there, her hands and feet icy cold, her mind a total mess, but in that moment, she felt it with crystal clarity...
It was over between her and Gavin.
It wasn't because of the divorce papers.
It was because, from today on, she finally let go for good.
Gavin stood there in silence for what felt like ten whole seconds.
People were coming and going outside the Civil Hall, throwing curious looks their way, but Gavin didn't seem to notice. He just stared at Elise, as if searching her face for a sign that this was all a joke.
But Elise just stood there quietly, not explaining anything, not jumping in to cover for him like she always did before.
She was exhausted.
She was so exhausted that even her shock felt muted.
"Elise," Gavin finally spoke, his voice low and heavy. "What's going on?"
"I just found out myself," she replied.
It was the truth.
Right now, she felt like she was walking on clouds, her feet never touching the ground. Her whole life for the past twenty-five years had been a single thread.
Now, someone had ripped it right down the middle, revealing a whole new layer she never even knew existed.
Jim Schmitt shot Gavin a cold, unapologetic look, his gaze full of scrutiny.
"Mr. Wright, you and my sister are already divorced. There's no need for her to go into detail with you about anything," he said.
Sister.
That word made Elise's heart skip a beat.
It felt so unfamiliar.
And somehow, it made her throat tighten, a strange ache rising inside.
Gavin clearly wasn't used to being challenged like this. His frown deepened. "I'm talking to her."
"Then you'd better mind your boundaries," Jim said, stepping forward to stand protectively beside Elise. "You don't have the right to ask her anything anymore."
The air instantly grew tense.
Alieen, worried she might overwhelm Elise, quickly reined in her emotions and spoke softly, "Elise, don't be nervous. If you don't want to talk about it today, we can take you wherever you want to go. We'll talk about everything else once you've had a chance to rest."
Those words felt like they finally gave Elise a moment to breathe.
She nodded, her voice a little hoarse. "I need to go back to the Wrights' place and grab my stuff first."
"That's not necessary," Gavin suddenly spoke up.
Everyone turned to look at him.
He fixed his gaze on Elise, his expression more tangled than before, trying to stay composed, but one could see the reluctance in his eyes. "I'll have my assistant collect your stuff and drop it off for you later."
Elise gave a faint, almost indifferent smile.
"No, thanks," she replied.
"Elise..." Gavin started.
"I'll take care of my own stuff," she interrupted, her tone cool. "I need to walk out of the Wrights' door myself, just this once."
Her words weren't heavy, but Gavin's throat tightened.
He suddenly remembered. Three years ago, Elise had first moved into the Wright family on an evening just like this.