Eleanor's POV
The morning light seeped through the heavy curtains, casting a soft, almost forgiving glow over the chaos that was my life. I sat on the edge of our bed, my mind a whirlwind of emotions.
The revelation of Alexander's one-night stand and the unexpected pregnancy had hit me like a freight train. Anger, betrayal, and confusion churned within me, each emotion fighting for dominance.
How could he? The thought echoed in my mind, relentless and unforgiving. I had known our marriage was far from perfect, but this... this was a betrayal of the highest order. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart, but the ache in my chest was unyielding.
I glanced at the clock on the bedside table, its ticking a cruel reminder of the time slipping away. I need to confront him, I thought, the determination building within me. I couldn't let this fester. I needed answers.
As I stood, the soft silk of my nightgown brushed against my skin, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. I walked to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face in an attempt to wake myself up from this nightmare.
The water felt like a slap, jolting me into a sharper focus. My reflection in the mirror showed a woman on the brink, her eyes red-rimmed and her expression a mixture of hurt and resolve.
I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way to Alexander's study. The door was slightly ajar, and I could hear his low, measured voice on the phone.
He was likely dealing with the fallout from the scandal, but I couldn't wait any longer. I pushed the door open and walked in, my heart pounding in my chest.
He looked up, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Eleanor," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of guilt and resignation. "I was just about to come find you."
I crossed my arms, trying to keep my voice steady. "We need to talk."
He nodded, ending his call and setting his phone down. "I know," he replied, his gaze steady but filled with an underlying tension. "Let's sit."
We moved to the sofa, the air between us thick with unspoken words. I took a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. "How could you, Alexander?" I began, my voice breaking despite my best efforts. "How could you betray me like this?"
His expression softened, a rare glimpse of vulnerability showing through his usual stoic facade. "Eleanor, I... I made a mistake. A terrible mistake. I never meant for this to happen."
I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. "A mistake? You call getting another woman pregnant a mistake? Do you have any idea what this has done to me? To us?"
He reached out, his hand hovering over mine before pulling back. "I know. And I'm sorry. But we need to figure out how to move forward. This situation... it's complicated."
I could feel the anger bubbling up again, hot and fierce. "Complicated? It's a mess, Alexander. Our marriage was already hanging by a thread, and now this?"
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't expect you to forgive me, not right away. But we need to handle this carefully. The media is already circling like vultures, and our families... they won't understand."
I clenched my fists, trying to keep my emotions in check. "And what about me, Alexander? What about my feelings? Am I just supposed to smile and pretend everything is fine?"
He looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and determination. "No, Eleanor. I don't want you to pretend. But we need to present a united front, at least in public. For now."
I stood up, unable to sit still any longer. The room felt suffocating, the weight of his betrayal pressing down on me.
"I can't do this," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I can't pretend that this is okay."
He stood as well, his expression pained. "Eleanor, please. Just give me a chance to make this right. I know I've hurt you, but I want to fix this. For us."
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "I don't know if that's possible, Alexander. I don't know if I can ever trust you again."
He took a step closer, his voice soft but earnest. "I understand. But please, let's just take it one step at a time and we'll figure this out."
I looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of sincerity. There was a part of me that wanted to believe him, that wanted to give him the chance to make things right. But the hurt was still too raw, too fresh.
"I need some time," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to think."
He nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly in relief. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready to talk."
I turned and walked out of the study, the weight of our conversation pressing heavily on my shoulders. As I made my way back to our bedroom, I couldn't help but wonder if our marriage could survive this latest blow. Only time would tell.
---
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring out the window at the city skyline. The bustling world outside seemed so distant, so removed from the turmoil of my life. I thought about calling Ciara, my best friend and confidant, but I wasn't sure I was ready to share this latest development with her. Not yet, at least.
Instead, I decided to take a walk, hoping the fresh air would help clear my mind. I changed into a simple dress and slipped on a pair of sandals, heading out of the mansion and into the garden.
The air was cool and crisp, the early morning sun casting long shadows on the neatly manicured lawns.
As I walked, my thoughts kept circling back to Alexander and the mess we were in. I had married him out of obligation, to save my family's business and secure our future.
But somewhere along the way, I had begun to hope for something more. I had seen glimpses of a man who was kind and caring, hidden beneath the cold, ruthless exterior. And now, it felt like those hopes had been shattered.
I found a secluded bench and sat down, resting my head in my hands.
The silence was comforting, a stark contrast to the chaos in my mind. I needed to figure out what I wanted, what I was willing to fight for.
Could I find it in myself to forgive Alexander, to give our marriage another chance? Or was it time to walk away and rebuild my life on my own terms?
While I was lost in my thoughts thinking to myself trying to figure out what exactly had just happened to my marriage which was just beginning to find its legs, I never knew Stephanie had arrived at the Mansion already.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear the footsteps approaching until it was too late. I looked up to see Stephanie standing a few feet away, her expression unreadable.
"Eleanor," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "Can we talk?"
My heart skipped a beat, the anger and hurt surging back to the surface. I asked myself, When did she arrive here? Alex didn't tell me she would be arriving this quick!
"What do you want, Stephanie?" I asked with surprise on my face.
She took a step closer, her eyes filled with remorse. "I know you're hurting, and I know I'm the last person you want to see right now. But I need you to understand... I never meant for this to happen."
I clenched my fists, the anger boiling over. "You never meant for this to happen? You slept with my husband, Stephanie. You got pregnant. How could you not mean for this to happen?"
She looked down, her shoulders slumping. "I know. And I'm sorry. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. All I can do is try to make things right."
I stood up, unable to contain my emotions any longer. "Make things right? How? By tearing apart my marriage? By bringing this scandal into our lives?"
She looked up, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't want to tear apart your marriage, Eleanor. As at the time I met Mr Sterling your husband he wasn't married to you, that i can swear on. Eleanor, I just... I don't know what to do. I'm scared, and I'm alone."
Her vulnerability took me by surprise, and for a moment, I saw her not as the woman who had betrayed me, but as someone who was just as lost and confused as I was.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions.
"What do you want from me, Stephanie?" I asked, my voice softer this time.
She wiped away a tear, her expression earnest. "I want to work together to find a solution. For the sake of the baby, and for all of us. Please, Eleanor. I don't want this to destroy any more lives."
I looked at her, my mind racing. This wasn't just about me and Alexander anymore. There was an innocent life involved, a child who deserved a chance at a stable future.
As much as I wanted to walk away, I knew I couldn't ignore the reality of the situation.
"Alright," I said finally, my voice steady. "Let's figure this out. But understand this, Stephanie. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for the baby. And for my own peace of mind."
She nodded, relief washing over her face. "Thank you, Eleanor. I promise, I'll do whatever it takes to make this right."