Chapter Ten

Elysia's POV

I stare at the calendar, the date mocking me. September 15th. Two years of... what exactly? Waiting? Hoping? Pretending? It's been two weeks since I hired the detective- nothing remotely positive.

the late summer sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city, I finally made up my mind. Two years of waiting, hoping, and dedicating myself to a marriage that felt more like a ghost story than a partnership. It was time to move on.

"Elysia, are you sure about this?" My best friend, Sam, asked, his voice tinged with concern as we sat on my balcony, the city lights twinkling below us.

"Yes, Sam. I can't keep living like this," I replied, my voice steady but my heart racing. "I've tried my best. I've given it my all. He wants to remain anonymous, I want to move on with my life. The divorce will give both of us what we want."

"But what about your work? The affairs your grandfather left behind? He has a part in it, right? Isn't he going to fight you in court for his part if you leave him?'' Sam pressed, his eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt.

"I don't care. If that's the price I need to pay to get my life back, then it's fine. I'll manage," I said, more to convince myself than her. "I've been handling everything on my own anyway. This won't be any different."

Sam sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I just don't want you to regret this."

"I won't," I said firmly, though a part of me wondered if I was making the right choice. "I need to start living for myself."

The wait for the next morning was long, longer than any night I've ever experienced. I looked around my room, my thoughts bouncing off the walls. My room was picturesque. A blue front door with a golden knocker. Black and white checkered flooring and a sparkling chandelier. A clock ticked in the corner.

I'd always wondered if I pulled out a part of the wallpaper, would it ..bleed? Just like I was right now?

As the day began, I dragged my weight about, dreading the action I was about to take. I finally decided to go downstairs and make the phone call, with a glass of scotch in hand. I run into Sam on the way and we stand and stare at each other for a while.

Sometimes, there's nothing to say. Sometimes, words will only clutter a space already filled with an unpleasant truth. His expression tells me everything.

"Elysia," he starts, settling into the kitchen stool across from me. "Are you sure about this?"

I nod, my heart racing. "I've made up my mind, Sam."

" No word about him from Alex yet? The detective?" he asks, and I immediately shake my head, hating the tremor in my voice.

Sam shakes his head. " I've asked Bob to check too. He couldn't find anything either. It's like Roland Weber doesn't exist."

Bob was Sam's boyfriend, they'd been together for 4 years now.

I laugh, a bitter sound. "Maybe he doesn't."

"Elysia," Sam leans forward, concern etched on his face. "You've done everything you could. Two years is a long time to wait for a ghost."

I close my eyes, memories flooding back. The promise I made to Grandpa. The empty house. The endless nights wondering where my husband was, who he was.

"I know," I whisper. "But Grandfather-"

"Your grandfather is gone," Sam says gently. "And with him, any answers about this arrangement."

I open my eyes and resolve to harden. "You're right. It's time to start living for myself."

As I reach for the phone, something explodes in my stomach and I fall to the ground. What was I doing? I gave Grandpa my word. I can't just break it now. 

Sam ran to my side, panic etched in the corners of his face. ' Are you ok?'

My finger hovers over the call button, but I couldn't bring myself to press it.

"Come on, Elysia," I mutter to myself. "Just do it."

But I can't. The weight of two years of silence presses down on me. 

I stared at the phone, my fingers trembling. Calling my grandfather's lawyer was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had no choice. I needed to end this contract, this sham of a marriage.

"Elysia, you have to do it," Sam urged, his voice firm. "You can't keep living in limbo."

"I know," I whispered, my throat tight. "But what if he refuses? What if he says I can't end it?"

"Then you fight," Sam said, his eyes blazing with determination. "You deserve to be free."

Taking a deep breath, I dialed the number. The phone rang, each second stretching into an eternity. 

A knock at the door makes me jump.

The door opens and in walks Alex, my grandfather's lawyer. His eyebrows rise as he takes in my disheveled appearance, mirroring me. I wasn't expecting him at all.

"Elysia," he starts, "is everything alright?"

I force a smile. "Of course. I wasn't expecting you. Please, sit down."

He settles into the chair across from me, his piercing gaze never leaving my face.

"Yeah," he says, " here for my routine check of the house. I got your call when I was almost at the door. what can I do for you today?"

My throat tightens. "I... I wanted to discuss the contract."

"Ah," he nods, "the marriage contract. What about it?"

I swallow hard. "I was thinking... maybe it's time to end it."

His eyes widened. "End it? But Elysia, your grandfather-"

"My grandfather is gone," I snap, then immediately regret my tone. "I'm sorry, it's just... it's been two years, Mr. Fisher. Two years of waiting for a man I've never even met."

"Elysia," Mr. Fisher says gently, leaning forward, "I understand your frustration. But are you sure you want to do this?"

I pause, my resolve wavering. "I... I don't know. What if he shows up tomorrow? What if there's a reason he's been away?"

Mr. Hoffman sighs. "Those are questions only James can answer. But Elysia, you can't put your life on hold forever."

I nod, tears pricking at my eyes. "I know. But how can I break a promise I made to my grandfather?"

He reaches across the desk, patting my hand. "Your grandfather wanted you to be happy. Remember that."

'I'm ready! Let's do it. I'm tired of waiting. I want my life back- my original life back'

"I understand," he said slowly. "But you must know, this won't be easy. There are... complications."

"What kind of complications?" I demanded, my frustration boiling over.

"Your inheritance. He gets 95% of it, Since you initiated the divorce", I could see the compassion in his eyes.

That meant one thing. I was going to lose everything, everything I worked for. I wasn't thinking. I didn't want to think. I wanted this to be done and over with. Even though it'll cost me half of everything I've worked for. No matter what it took.

"Yes, I'm ready".

He smiled. "Alright, come by the office tomorrow. I'll get the divorce papers ready".

His words sounded like sandpaper in my ears.

Later, I found myself in my grandfather's study, surrounded by reminders of a life I never chose.

I picked up his portrait, the one of him staring directly at the camera and smiling. The one I had gifted him for his birthday.

"Why did you do this to me?" I whisper to his portrait. "Why didn't you let me choose? I'm losing everything, Grandpa, I'm losing everything."

*********************************************

I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me. Dark circles under my eyes that looked like they could hold drums of water, hair unkempt, clothes wrinkled. When did I become this person?

Oh, I remember. A week ago. When I signed off the divorce papers- and my fortune.

"Pull yourself together, Elysia," I mutter, splashing cold water on my face.

My phone buzzes. It's my assistant, Jake

"Ms Elysia? We're still waiting for you. The meeting was supposed to start ten minutes ago."

My stomach drops. "Oh fuck! I'm so sorry, I'm on my way."

I rush out, nearly colliding with my housekeeper.

"Ms. Elysia! Are you alright?" she asks, concern etched on her face.

"Fine, I'm fine," I lied, hurrying past her.

At work, I slip into the conference room, all eyes turning to me.

"Nice of you to join us, Ms Moore '' Mr Jennings sneered.

I mumble an apology, sinking into my chair. I'm getting tired of this man. The boardroom was a sea of stern faces. I could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on me. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a reminder of the pressure I was under.

"Ms Webber, the quarterly reports," Jake's voice cut through the tension like a knife. He lays the documents on the table.

I nodded, trying to muster a smile. "Thank you, Jake." My voice sounded hollow, even to me.

" As you can see, Sales are down again, we're barely managing to keep this company afloat," Mr Jennings said bluntly. "We need a new strategy."

I glanced around the table, meeting the eyes of each board member. They were waiting for me to say something, to lead. But all I could think about was the crushing weight of my failure- and the headache pounding at the back of my head.

"We'll... we'll need to pivot," I stammered. "Focus on our core strengths."

"Which are?" Jennings pressed, his tone sharp.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. My vision blurred, and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me.

"Ms Elysia? Are you ok? You look a bit pale" Jake's voice was distant, concerned.

I gripped the edge of the table, trying to steady myself. "I... I need a moment," I managed to say before everything went black.