Chapter 360

Nolan woke the next morning with a sharp ache pounding through his head, the kind of pain that made every thought feel heavier than it should.

For a moment, he just sat there, blinking at the familiar stillness of the room.

Then it all came rushing back. Yesterday,Eleanor had ended things.

This time, there was no mnending it. She was gone for good.

The realization hollowed him out, leaving his eyes glassy,his chest tight with despair.

The door creaked open, and Norwood stepped in,leaning hard on his cane. He took one lookat Nolan's slumped figure and sneered, his voice sharp with disdain. "Enough of this pathetic display. Get yourself together and stop rotting here. Go home."

Nolan didn't even lift his head. His words came out low,almost broken. "Grandpa, what am I supposed to do now?" Norwood's cane struck the floor with a sharp crack. "I warned you. I told you what had to be done. But you never listened."

Nolan's throat tightened. His words trembled as they left him.

"I already sent Elora away,but-"

He didn't finish.

The cause of the breakup was obvious.

"But what?" Norwood's tone cut like steel. "If you'd truly steered clear of her, this wouldn't have happened."

His eyes bored into Nolan, full of disappointment and finality. "Enough excuses. Fix yourself."

Without another glance, Norwood turned and walked out.

Nolan shut his eyes tight.

Could he really just abandon Elora completely?

He eventually dragged himself back to Regal Heigts.

Every corner of the villa whispered of Eleanor... her laugh, her touch, her presence.

But she was gone, and the emptiness clawed at him. "Hey, you're home!"

The voice jolted him. He looked up and found Elora standing there, wearing a carefully crafted mask of concern.

Nolan's face darkened. "What are you doing here?"

She bit her lip, lowering her gaze. "Eleanor seemed really upset yesterday. I just wanted to check on you."

In fact, Ady had sent her, fishing for the truth about him and Eleanor.

His voice turned cold as Nolan addressed the butler instead. "Take her back to the penthouse."

He didn't say another word, but his defeated expression spoke volumes.

Elora understood clearly that their relationship was over.

She stayed silent and followed the butler out.

Back at Podium Apartments, she typed out a message to Ady.

"They've broken up."

The reply came almost instantly. "Great. Now it's time for the next step. You have to become Nolan's wife for real."

Elora stared at the screen, her fingers tightening around the phone.

After a pause, she typed back with hesitation.

"Ady, I only think of him as a brother. Can't we find someone else? I'll support them instead."

Minutes passed with nothing. She started to think Ady had just ignored her.

Then her phone buzzed again.

"No. It's simple. Either go back to your miserable old life, or take the secure future with Nolan.Your choice."

The words pulled up memories Elora had tried hard to forget-days she never wanted to relive.

She couldn't go back.

She wouldn't.

She shut her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.When she opened them again, they glimmered with cold resolve.

She didn't want to treat Nolan like that. But she was out of choices.