He sat on the hospital bed, staring at the screen one of his men had left playing on the tablet. It was Ellie. His Ellie. Except, she wasn’t his anymore.
The video was of the gala in Germany, one of the biggest investment gatherings of the year. Colton hadn’t expected to see her there, and definitely not in Sebastian Rhys’s arms. They danced like no one else was in the room. She laughed freely, her smile glowing–so different from how she used to look around him.
When Sebastian had dipped her and kissed her, Colton snapped. And now, the memory haunted him.
“Sir,” his butler said gently, entering the room. “You should rest. The doctor-”
“Get me every detail,” Colton cut him off. “I want to know where she lives, who she sees, what she eats, everything. I don’t care how much it costs.”
The butler hesitated. “But sir… she’s getting married. To Mr. Rhys.”
“I said, everything,” Colton growled, then threw the glass against the wall. The shatter echoed in the sterile hospital room like a gunshot.
Back in the Rhys estate, Ellie sat beside Sebastian on the couch, gently tending to the bruises on his cheek with a soft cloth. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, dabbing lightly.
“It’s not your fault,” Sebastian said, his hand finding hers. “Colton won’t come near you again. I’ll make sure of it.”
Ellie looked down. “I just… I don’t want him to ruin this. What we have. What we’re building.”
“He won’t,” Sebastian reassured her. “You’re safe with me, Ellie.”
Despite his calm words, Sebastian increased the security. Bodyguards stationed outside. the estate. Private drivers for Ellie. New phone numbers. Everything that might shield her from Colton’s obsessive reach.
But Colton was relentless.
Every morning, without fail, bouquets of white tulips were left at the doorstep of Ellie’s apartment–her favorite flower. The first time she saw them, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. She didn’t need to check the card to know who sent them.
The second time, she didn’t even pause. She stepped over them.
Id
By the fifth delivery, her younger brother Lucas offered to throw them out before she see them. But Ellie simply said, “Leave them. I want to remember why I walked away.”
Soon came the letters. Neatly folded, sealed in heavy envelopes, with Colton’s handwriting on the front. Apologies. Pleas. Pages and pages of regret.
She read none of them,
One afternoon, as Ellie stood before a mirror in a delicate ivory gown, she turned–and froze.
My Husband Relieved I Kidnanned His Mistress
1/2 90.0%
“He won’t,” Sebastian reassured her. “You’re safe with me, Ellie.”
Despite his calm words, Sebastian increased the security. Bodyguards stationed outside the estate. Private drivers for Ellie. New phone numbers. Everything that might shield her from Colton’s obsessive reach.
But Colton was relentless.
Every morning, without fail, bouquets of white tulips were left at the doorstep of Ellie’s apartment–her favorite flower. The first time she saw them, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. She didn’t need to check the card to know who sent them.
The second time, she didn’t even pause. She stepped over them.
By the fifth delivery, her younger brother Lucas offered to throw them out before she could see them. But Ellie simply said, “Leave them. I want to remember why I walked away.” Soon came the letters. Neatly folded, sealed in heavy envelopes, with Colton’s handwriting on the front. Apologies. Pleas. Pages and pages of regret.
She read none of them.
One afternoon, as Ellie stood before a mirror in a delicate ivory gown, she turned–and froze.
Colton stood at the doorway of the boutique.
She handed the dress to the assistant and stepped out, walking toward him.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” Colton said softly. “Please… just hear me out.”
Ellie sighed. “Fine. Five minutes.”
They sat on the bench near the boutique garden, surrounded by falling autumn leaves.
“I was wrong,” Colton began. “I ruined everything. I know I did. I was stupid, blind… I let you go and I regret it every day.”
“You think an apology will erase what happened?” Ellie’s voice cracked. “Lucas almost died. I almost died. You didn’t care. You let your pride–and Shania–drive a wedge between us.”
“I know. And I hate myself for it. But I never stopped loving you, Ellie. Give me a second chance.”
She looked at him, her heart steady. “You say you love me, but the man I loved is gone. He died the moment he let me suffer alone. I’m happy now, Colton. Truly. And if you ever loved me–then let me go.”
Colton’s lips trembled. “I… can’t.”
“You have to,” she said, standing up. “It’s too late.”
As she walked away, Sebastian’s car pulled up. The door opened, and he stepped out.
Their eyes met–hers with warmth, his with worry. He walked over and pulled her into an embrace, kissing her forehead gently.
Colton watched from the bench, frozen, the scene burning into his soul.
Chapter 23
2/2 92.0%
v0.32 bat, 24 May
Ellie had hoped Colton would st
