Chapter 245

Eleanor's POV

Half an hour had passed.

When the doorbell rang, I had already forced myself to calm down. Or at least, I tried to convince myself I had. I'd wiped away my tears, washed my face, changed into fresh clothes, and even applied some light makeup. I reached for my perfume out of habit but decided against it at the last moment.

Opening the door, I found Jace Gillard standing there, still catching his breath. I hadn't sent him any alarming messages-just a simple text: "Need to talk to you at my place. Come as soon as you can. Let me know when you get this."

He replied instantly: "On my way." And true to his word, here he was. I'm not sure why, but I knew with certainty he would come. Perhaps because he's always felt indebted to me somehow. I didn't want to dwell on that anymore.

"Come in," I said.

Jace studied my face with concern. "What happened? Have you been crying?"

And here I thought I'd hidden it well.

"Did you have a fight with Drew?" he asked worriedly. "Should I call him? I know Drew can be impulsive sometimes, but his heart's in the right place. Try not to take it too personally-"

"We didn't fight," I said, watching as he frantically pulled out his phone to call Drew.

"But I'm going to break up with him."

Jace froze. He stared at me as if he'd misheard.

"Did... something happen?" He tried to keep his voice steady, but I could hear the slight tremor. Not that I was particularly focused on his reactions right now.

"Drew's mother came to see me," I said plainly. There was no point in hiding it. If I was asking for his help, he deserved the truth.

Jace seemed to grasp something. "Have you talked to Drew about this?"

"If I had, would I be calling you here?" I shot him an irritated look, his excessive concern getting on my nerves.

"I think this is something you should discuss with Drew properly," he suggested earnestly, despite sensing my impatience.

"And what good would that do? Make Drew give up everything for me? Have him go through what I did, being ostracized by everyone he knows?"

"Drew's situation is different. He's a Yeager-his family would never truly abandon him."

"Did you know Drew has a half-brother?" I asked. Seeing him flinch slightly, I continued, "The Yeagers have a backup heir. They absolutely could cast Drew aside."

"But I don't think Drew would choose family wealth over you just because-"

"Vivian would threaten to kill herself," I said, struggling to keep my emotions in check. "She's never gotten over the fact that Drew has a half-brother out there. She won't allow any illegitimate child to claim the family fortune. If Drew turns against his family for me, it would mean Vivian has lost everything. Given her personality, she really might end her life in front of Drew."

Looking at the silent Jace, I asked my final question: "Can any relationship bear the weight of a life? Can there be any hope or happiness when it's built on such a foundation?"

I've truly accepted my fate. All my luck in life was used up before I turned twenty-five. I don't know what's left for me in the years ahead.

I knew Jace had already guessed my intentions. Just as expected, he spoke first: "So you called me here because you want to use me to break up with Drew? Is that it?"

"Yes," I admitted directly, wrapping my arms around myself as I stood by the window of my apartment, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the hardwood floors. "If I'm going to leave, I want to make it absolute. I don't want to give Drew any hope, and I don't want to leave myself any way back. Drew knows I once had feelings for you. If you help me put on this little performance, he'll believe I never truly loved him."

Jace didn't immediately agree. I could see him lost in thought, probably trying to find a better solution, one that wouldn't force us into such an irreversible position. The way he stood there, leaning against my kitchen counter, his expression distant, told me he was probably wondering if Drew's eventual inheritance would be enough to make Vivian accept me.

Watching him think so deeply, I couldn't help but ask with a bitter smile, "You don't want to help, do you?"

I'd anticipated his reluctance. After all, helping me would mean betraying the brotherhood between him and Drew. And Jace, well, he'd always been someone who put his own interests first.

He started trying to reason with me: "I just think maybe things haven't reached such an extreme point yet. Vivian's opposition to your relationship with Drew stems from her concern about him angering his father and losing his inheritance. But if Drew starts taking his responsibilities seriously now, if he proves himself capable, his father won't need to force him into a arranged marriage."

I let out a laugh that held no humor, turning to face him fully. "You've worked with the Harringtons for years. Do you really think it's just about inheritance? Isn't this about social class, something deeply rooted in Manhattan's elite circles? With my current status, what right do I have to marry into the Yeager family?"

He persisted, pushing away from the counter to step closer. "I don't see anything wrong with your status. If Drew loves you, that proves you're worthy of being with him. All this talk about social standing is just an excuse. Real love can overcome any barrier, even..."

I cut him off, my emotions rising to the surface: "But I'm still the person Clara hates most in this world. Will Clara ever let Drew and me be together? Especially now, when she's determined to set him up with Maeve! If she finds out about my relationship with Drew, I can't even imagine what measures she'll take against me!"

He continued trying to persuade me: "Regardless, I still think you shouldn't make such a hasty decision. Matters of the heart shouldn't be rushed. I suggest you talk to Drew openly, work things out together. There's always a solution..."

I couldn't hold back anymore, my voice cracking as I asked, "Jace, are you afraid I'll end up alone?"

I saw the pain flash across his face, but I pressed on, my words dripping with sarcasm: "Are you afraid that if no one loves me anymore, I'll come running back to you? Is that why you're so desperate to prevent me from breaking up with Drew?"

I felt tears burning behind my eyes, but I maintained my bitter smile, though I wasn't even sure why I was smiling anymore.

He tried to explain: "That's not it at all. I just think you and Drew have something special, and throwing it away because of external pressure isn't right. Making hasty decisions about love... you'll regret it."

I couldn't bear to hear any more of his noble sentiments: "That's my business. I didn't call you here for advice or to hear your philosophical views about love conquering all. I called you here because I need you to help me put on this show, to make Drew believe that you've always been the one I loved, that my feelings for him were just gratitude."

I'd already promised Vivian, made my choice. Maybe I would regret it, but I had no other options.

Seeing him about to speak again, I finally broke down, my voice barely above a whisper: "Jace, why is it so difficult to ask you for just one thing? I've never felt so powerless with anyone else. But with you, no matter what I do, no matter what I ask of you, you always refuse. Tell me, how much do you despise me? What is it about me that disgusts you so much?"