Eli's POV
I slid the ring off my finger.
For a moment, I just stared at it sitting in my palm.
The stupid ring that made my heart race when he slipped it onto my finger.
That made me believe that maybe someone like him could actually love someone like me.
My hand trembled.
Then I threw it.
It clattered against the floor and slid to a stop right in front of him.
"I'm done," I said quietly.
My voice shook, but I forced the words out.
"I'm done with this marriage."
His eyes widened as he stared at the ring… then slowly lifted to me.
"Eli…" His voice cracked. "What do you mean?"
He took a step forward like he didn't understand what was happening.
"It's not even the end of our contract yet."
That word.
Out contract.
It was never our contract. It was his contract.
"Exactly."
I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag.
"You got what you wanted, didn't you?"
My heart ached as I spoke. "Your perfect little husband."
He shook his head quickly.
"That's not…."
"You used me as a pawn… as a tool… just like everyone said you would."
"No!"
"And the worst part?" I continued. "You knew how much I loved you."
I wiped at my face angrily, but the tears kept coming anyway.
God.
I had been such an idiot.
He suddenly dropped to his knees in front of me.
"Eli, stop!"
His hands grabbed mine desperately.
"I love you too."
Tears streamed down his face.
"Please," he whispered. "Don't leave me."
The sight made my heart ache painfully.
Because a part of me still wanted to believe him.
But it was already too late.
Love shouldn't hurt like this.
Slowly… I pulled my hands away from his.
"I can't do this anymore."
My fingers trembled as I picked up my bag.
Every step toward the door felt like it was tearing something inside me apart.
Behind me, I could hear him calling my name.
"Eli!"
But I didn't stop.
I looked at him one last time..still kneeling on the floor.
The moment I stepped outside, I paused at the top of the stairs.
The massive Donovan mansion stood behind me, glowing with golden lights like it always had.
The place that had once felt like home.
I looked back one last time.
"I can't believe it's really over," I smiled softly.
All those months.
All those memories. Gone.
Goodbye to the life I thought I had.
And goodbye…
To the man I loved more than anything.
Then I turned around.
And walked away.