Chapter 1 Mrs.
Vanderbilt , the foods gone cold again .
Should I reheat it ? The housekeepers cautious tome carried a hint of impatience as she glanced at Paisley Sutton וה Paisley sat alone at the large dining table , the vast space around her amplifying her solitude .
She glanced at the time and then at the housekeeper , whose frustration was over her face .
Just clear it away said Paisley with a faint smile that barely masked her weariness .
It was her birthday today , yet neither her husband nor son had bothered to come home .
The stark absence of their presence made the silence in the room deafening The housekeeper began clearing the table with swift , almost annoyed movements , muttering under her breath , Mrs.
Vanderbilt , not to be rude , but why go to all this trouble ? You knew neither your husband nor your son would be back tonight , yet you insisted on preparing a whole feast .
Reheating this food three times tonight ? Its exhausting .
Honestly , as a wife and mother , youre not exactly winning any awards .
Otherwise , why would they both avoid you like this ? Youre right .
Ive failed spectacularly , Paisley replied with a bitter smale.
The words stung , but she no longer had the strength to argue .
In this house , even the housekeeper had no qualms about being openly dismissive toward her .
She understood that the housekeepers attitude mirrored the Vanderbilt familys treatment of her .
She scoffed internally .
If my husband and son dont respect me , why would anyone else ? Seeing Paisleys quiet despair , the housekeeper softened slightly , a flicker of pity crossing her Lace .
With a sigh , she muttered , People always cling to things that dont belong to them .
If I were you , Id let go .
Let it all go .
Youd be doing yourself a favor and maybe even others .
Paisley didnt respond , but the words lingered , sinking deep into her mind like stones dropped into a still pond .
The room remained quiet , save for the clinking of dishes being cleared away .
The chandelier overhead cast a soft , golden glow , but it only emphasized how hollow the space felt .
Paisleys chest tightened , her heart weighed down by the emptiness shed grown accustomed to .
The housekeeper finished clearing the table and retreated to her quarters , leaving the vast dining room eerily silent .
Paisley turned of all the lights , her movements slow and deliberate , as if each step required effort .
Cradling the cake box , she climbed the grand staircase and returned to her bedroom .
The space was cold , the kind of cold that seeped into her soul rather than her skin .
She settled onto the plush sofa by the window , the moonlight spilling in faintly , casting soft shadows on the walls , Carefully , she opened the cake box .
Inside was a delicately crafted dessert meant for celebration , though the atmosphere couldnt feel less festive .
She removed the cake , placed a single candle on top , and lit it .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

The flickering flame reflected in her tired eyes in an overwhelming darkness .
Just as she was about to gather her thoughts , a sharp WhatsApp message shattered the silence in the room .
The sound was jarring in the quiet space , its abruptness making her heart jump .
She hesitantly reached for her phone , only to find it was a video message .
She clicked on it , and the screen revealed a scene from a VIP hospital suite .
Her husband , Dominick Vanderbilt , and her young son , Grayson Vanderbilt , sat by the bedside of a gorgeous , frail looking woman .
Paisley recognized her instantly .
It was Marissa Prescott , Dominicks childhood sweetheart , to whom Dominick had once been engaged .
This video was from her .
* Dom .
Im so sorry to keep you h here so late , Marissas weak voice came through , punctuated by soft , deliberate cought .
Its no trouble .
Dominick replied , his tone warm and gentle , with a tenderness Paisley hadnt heard from him in years .
It wasnt just warmth was affection , even indulgence .
So , hes been with her all day ! Paisley thought , a faint , self- deprecating smile curling her lips .
She couldnt even remember the last time Dominick had spoken to her without an edge of irritation , let alone with this kind of fondness .
A pang of bitterness twisted in her chest as she wondered when his voice , once a source of comfort , had turned into every word he directed at her was either critical or cold .
a weapon .
Now , it seemed .
Marissa , you dont need to worry , came Graysons soft , childlike voice from the video .
His small , chubby body crawled up onto the bed , snuggling into Marissas arms .
Daddy and I love staying here with you .
We dont wanna go home .
Chapter 1 The boys next words hit like a dagger .
I love having Marissa around .
I wish she was my mommy The video ended abruptly , leaving Paisley staring at the blank screen .
Her hands trembled as she set the phone down .
The candle on the cake flickered , its glow dim against the suffocating darkness in the room Finally , Paisley made up her mind .
She drew a deep breath and blew out the flame .
The dinness swallowed the room at her voice broke the silence .
soft and almost a whisper .
Happy birthday to me .
Dominick returned home well past midnight .
The house was shrouded in darkness , an unusual sight .
There was always a light left on for him , no mutter how late he arrived , but tonight , that small comfort was conspicuously absent .
His brow furrowed with imitation as he handed Grayson off to the housekeeper .
Without a word , he strode toward the master bedroom , his steps brisk and sharp .
When he noticed the light spilling out from under the door , his grim expression eased slightly .
Inside , Paisley sat upright on the sofa , her posture unnervingly composed .
Beside her was a neatly packed suitcase , and on the low coffee table in from of her lay a divorce agreement , stark and unmissable .
Dominicks fleeting relief vanished , replaced by a cold , impenetrable look .
His voice was clipped and edged with annoyance .
Paisley , what is this ! Another one of your stunts ? Paisley could feel the tension between them crackle like static in the air .
She didnt have the energy to entertain his accusations , nor did she have the desire to dig into the complicated mess he called a stunt She stood her ground , her voice quiet but unwavering , Dominick , I want a divorce .
He sighed heavily , his fatigue evident as he loosened his the and tossed it onto the sofa .
That was when his gaze fell on the small cake sitting on the coffee table , its candle burned down to the wick Its your birthday today ! His tone carried faint disbelief , 1 laced with a trace of guilt .
Hed forgotten , and his assistant hadnt reminded him either .
It doesnt matter , Paisley replied , shaking her head .
She pushed the divorce agreement closer to him , her expression unwavering .
Sign it .
Lets Dominicks brows drew together , his irritation and confusion flaring as if she were the one making a scene .
Why he demanded , his tone accusatory .
Because I forgot your birthday ? Dont you think thats a little melodramatic ? He glanced at the agreement with a hint of mockery in his eyes , and then stretched out two fingers, pinching the paper between them .
Slowly , he began flipping through it , one page at a time , as if inspecting it like some trivial document that didnt matter .
He sneered .
You ask for nothing ? Youre going to leave empty handed ? Paisley , where would you even go without me ? A bitter laugh escaped Paisleys lips , though her heart felt heavier with every beat .
So thats it , she thought .
Hes so certain that Em trapped , that I have no sure he can keep draining me of every last ounce of love and patience o one to rely on on in Harrowfell , no place to go .
Thats why hes so confident , so Her inner voice hissed with venom , What an arrogant , self satisfied jerk Yet on the outside .
Paisley remained cenly calm, her salence more cutting than any re Teror She let out a cold , mirthless laugh .
Where I go is none of your concern .
All you need to do is sign the tomorrow .
Her voice was calm , but the ice in her tone could cut through steel .
the papers and meet me me at t the City Hall At that , Dominicks temper flared , his voice laced with frost .
Have you really thought this through ? She alidnt bother responding , simply tossing ng the p pen onto the table near his hand .
Stop wasting time .
Sign it .
Her unwavering resolve struck him like a blow .
For a moment , Dominick faltered , his mind clouded with a fleeting sense of unease .
Her once soft eyes now turned with an unyielding determination he hadnt seen before .
Slowly , he drew in a deep breath and massages his temple , the weariness in his expression growing more pronounced .
Fine .
Divorce it is , he his tone heavy with frustration .
Tut Sonnys custody Thats off the table .
Youre not taking him .
Before Paisley could react , a small voice pierced the tension .
Grayson had woken at some point and now dashed into the room , clutching Dominicks arm tightly sod .
He glared at Paisley , his little face twisted with anger as he yelled , Tm staying with Daddy .
I dont want to witch go with yo you .
Youre a horrible mom A 2/4 9:34 PM ď ď Chapter 1 Sonny , Dominick snapped , his voice sharp enough to startle the boy , But Grayson was undeterred , his tear streaked face defiant after getting screamed at .
Im not wrong , he shouted , his words tumbling out in a storm of emotion .
Youre just a useless housewife .
Grandma and Aunt Kayla said so .
If you hadnt come between Daddy and Marissa , she would be my mom right now ? Pinching the bridge of his nose , Dominick sighed deeply , Grayson , enough * But Paisley cut him off , her voice slicing through the air like a blade .
I dont care about Grayson .
I dont care about anything .
I just want a divorce .
Her tone was final , leaving no room for negotiation or second guessing .
Dominicks lips tightened into a thin line , his expression hardening in disbelief .
He hadnt expected Paisley to say something like that something so resolute , so cold .
To refuse to take Grayson with her after the divorce , after everything she had been through for Grayson , felt unthinkable .
Dominick couldnt forget the sacrifices she had made to bring their son into the world .
Paisley had nearly lost her life on the operating table , and afterward , she had poured herself into raising Grayson , rending to him with an intensity that bordered on obsession .
She had given him everything , every part of herself , to make him safe , healthy , and loved .
And now , she was simply saying she didnt want him and didnt want anything to do with him .
Even Grayson seemed stunned into silence by her words , his sobs abruptly halting as he stared at her in disbelief .
But the shock didnt last long .
A twisted smile crept onto his face , one too bitter for a child .
Good .
Daddy , hurry up and divorce her .
Then Marissa can be my mommy The words hung in the air like poison , choking the remnants of warmth left in the room .
Dominick ignored Graysons outburst entirely , his sharp gaze fixed on Paisley like a predator sizing up its prey His voice dropped an octave , cold and commanding .
Il ask you one last time are you absolutely sure about this divorce ? Paisley met his eyes without flinching , her tone calm yet resolute .
Yes : She watched Dominicks pen carved his name onto the divorce agreement , his movements deliberate yet forceful .
Without hesitation , she picked up her copy , the weight of it fuldly berating y was unmistakable , 9:00 am She grabbed her suitcase and headed toward the floor .
Her voice was steady , but the undercurrent of finality was tomorrow .
Cay Hall .
Dont be late .
Just as her fingers tightened around the handle of her suitcase , her wrist was seized in a firm grip .
Dominicks hand was broad , his veins prominent along the back of it , exuding a raw , munculine allure that once had her utterly captivated .
Shed been obsessed with those hands , with the man they belonged to .
But now , his touch felt like repulsive shackles .
Let go , she said icily , her voice stripped of all warmth .
Her thoughts churned bitterly .
Whats the point of clinging now ? Isnt this divorce exactly what e housekeeper seemed eager to see me gone ! everyone wanted ? Dominick , his family , and the Dominicks lips curled into a mocking smile , his tone laced with dark amusement .
In such a hurry to leave ? What ? Got yourself a lover on the side .
already ! A wave of exhaustion swept over Paisley , sinking into her very bones .
She looked into his eyes , her words cutting through the tension like a knife .
Dominick , I have never hated you more than I do right now .
For a moment , her words seemed to shake him .
His grip loosened , and he let her wrist slowly slip from his grasp .
His tone softened , almost imploring .
Its late .
Even if youre set on leaving , you could wait until morning Adry , humorless laugh escaped her lips .
She pulled her hand back , her gaze unwavering .
Without sparing him another glance , she grabbed her suitcase and walked out .
The sound of the door closing behind her echoed in the vast emptiness of the house a house that had imprisoned her for four long years .
Her departure felt like breaking free , but the weight of her pain and disillusionment lingered , trailing behind her like a shadow she couldnt quite shake Chapter 2