Free Web NovelChapter 6: Chapter 6
In the past, Elise would have already rushed up to him, unable to hold back a storm of accusations.
But not anymore.
At OrchardResidence, she had seen with her own eyes how Dylan doted on Quinn and that child.
She understood now: Dylan had changed. Even if they had another child, there was no going back to what they once were.
A man whose heart had changed... she didn’t want him anymore.
But even if she chose divorce, she would never make it easy for Quinn—or that child.
Elise walked over with a cold expression and took the seat opposite Dylan.
She didn’t touch the bowl of soup. Instead, she stared at him with an icy glare.
"Dylan, I built that company with my own hands. I do not agree to you giving shares to Quinn Foster." Her voice was sharp and steady. "I don’t want unnecessary entanglements. Your infidelity makes you the one at fault. We’re getting a divorce. Aside from the original Bennett family assets, everything else we created together—before or during the marriage—I want it all."
She finished in one breath.
Her stance was resolute. In her eyes, a long-lost sharpness returned.
For a fleeting moment, Dylan felt as though he were looking at the Elise who once stood beside him in the business world, matching him move for move.
But five years had changed too much.
His expression remained calm. He picked up his silverware and placed a piece of beef onto her empty plate.
"This isn’t the time to discuss this," he said evenly. "I know you’re upset. But Collins said you need to eat regularly. Don’t let the progress you’ve made these past months go to waste."
Elise glanced at the piece of beef and laughed in disbelief.
"Dylan, just looking at you makes me sick. I can’t eat."
He paused. Lifting his gaze, he looked at her, his mind reeling.
Their eyes met.
His dark, narrowed eyes held a trace of impatience.
Elise met his gaze without flinching—without even a hint of compromise.
From the moment she learned the truth, she had told herself she would never again force herself to endure anything for this man.
The tension thickened.
This meal was never going to be peaceful.
Dylan set his silverware down and pressed his fingers lightly to his brow.
"The executives back then were all promoted by you. They didn’t accept Quinn. When you handed the company to her, wasn’t it because you believed she could stand on her own? I gave her shares to strengthen her authority—so she could manage the company better for you."
"Mm. That sounds like a perfectly reasonable excuse," Elise replied with a cold laugh. "And what happened? She took those shares and turned around to drive out every single person I personally appointed!"
"Elise, you’ve been away from the company for five years," Dylan said, frowning. "No company goes five years without personnel changes. Don’t be like before—letting your emotions cloud your judgment." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"My judgment is clouded?" Elise shot to her feet, her voice rising sharply. "Or is it Quinn, hiding behind your support, repaying my kindness with betrayal?!"
The moment she stood, fuming with anger, the room spun violently around her.
"Elise!" Dylan strode forward and caught her as she collapsed.
The familiar scent of cedarwood surrounded her. She was lifted into his arms.
Her consciousness wavered, drifting in and out. Through the haze, she heard him calling for Mrs. Lander—telling her to get the driver, to prepare the car for the hospital.
The thought of her pregnancy struck her like a jolt.
Her heart sank.
Forcing herself to stay conscious, she grabbed the front of her husband’s shirt.
Dylan halted mid-step and looked down at her. "Are you alright?"
Elise opened her eyes, her face pale, brows tightly drawn. "I’m not going to the hospital..."
"At a time like this, you’re still being stubborn?"
"I’m not..." Her grip tightened slightly on his shirt. "It’s just low blood sugar. It’s an old problem. There’s no need to make a fuss..."
He studied her for a moment, his expression easing slightly.
After a brief pause, he turned and carried her upstairs instead.
"Mrs. Lander," he instructed, "warm up the food and bring it to the room."
"Yes, Mr. Bennett! Right away!"
***
In the master bedroom upstairs, Dylan gently laid Elise on the bed.
She leaned back against the headboard, lifting a hand to press her temples. The dizziness from earlier had been caused by the surge of emotion and standing up too quickly. It had mostly passed now, though a lingering weakness still clung to her limbs.
Dylan sat down at the edge of the bed. In his dark eyes, her pale face was reflected clearly.
"Did you skip meals again today?" he asked quietly.
Her hand stilled.
Elise looked up at him, a cold, mocking edge in her gaze. "Tell me—what wife, after finding out her husband cheated and has an illegitimate child, still has the appetite to eat?"
Dylan froze.
"You said you were on a business trip abroad," she continued, her voice tightening, "but you were at Orchard Residence. You were there with Quinn, celebrating that child’s birthday!"
A faint crease appeared between his brows. "How do you know about Orchard Residence? Have you been investigating me?"
Elise let out a sharp laugh. "You dare keep your mistress and your illegitimate son there—what’s there to be afraid of me finding out? Or in your eyes, am I just some fool meant to be deceived for the rest of my life?"
"I never intended to hide it from you forever," Dylan said, his tone complicated. "This situation is... complicated. I’ll explain it to you later."
"Later?" Elise’s voice rose. "That child calls you Dad. He calls Quinn Mom. He looks almost exactly like you! What more is there to explain? That you didn’t mean to hide it? Or that you didn’t mean to get involved with her right after our children died?!"
The more she spoke, the more her emotions spiraled.
Suddenly, she raised her hand—
Slap!
The sound rang out sharply.
Dylan’s face snapped to the side, his expression darkening instantly.
"Elise, it’s been five years—haven’t you gone mad enough?" he snapped, gripping her wrist tightly. His dark eyes burned with anger. "Robin is not the same as our two children. He’s innocent—"
"Innocent?" Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared at him.
"Dylan, that child is five years old!"
Her voice trembled with fury and grief.
"He’s only four months younger than my twins! When you were celebrating his birthday, did you ever think about my children? You say he’s innocent—so my children are somehow guilty?!"
Her voice broke into a scream.
"Have you forgotten? They died because of you—because of you!"
That last accusation tore out of her, raw and devastating.
Five years ago, that kidnapping had been aimed at Dylan. But in the end, it was their unborn children who paid the price.
For five years, Elise had blamed herself.
Countless nights, she woke from nightmares, crying until her voice gave out—replaying everything in her mind, over and over. What could she have done differently? How could she have saved them?
She had spiraled. She had hurt herself.
But never—not once—had she blamed Dylan. Because one night, she had seen him alone in his study, breaking down in tears.
She had believed—truly believed—that he loved their children as deeply as she did. That he, more than anyone, had never wanted such a tragedy to happen.
Until she saw him holding that child... So gentle. So loving... And only then did she realize Everything had been her own delusion.
Her own foolishness.
Just like every argument over the past five years, it ended the same way—with Dylan turning away, leaving in cold silence.
This time was no different.
Except... As he turned to leave, Elise stared at his back, her eyes red, her voice steady and final.
"Dylan, I want a divorce. You and Quinn... I will never forgive either of you."
He paused for only a second. Then he walked away without looking back.
***
After that night, Dylan didn’t come home for three days straight.
This time, Elise no longer cared. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
She had already made her decision.
And the child in her womb... Dylan didn’t need to know about it.
She hid the pregnancy report and quietly began planning for the future, arranging to go abroad and give birth after the divorce.
For the rest of her life... She would raise her child on her own, and start over.
