Chapter 165

Chapter 165
Elena's POV

I stood there, watching Richard's emotions suddenly collapse. He closed his eyes, his body staggering backward, a visible tremor running through him. I was horrified to see Max wobbling in his unstable embrace, nearly falling.

"Max!" I cried out, instinctively rushing forward.

Thankfully, William was quick, catching the child before he could fall. "I've got him," he assured me.

In that moment, I felt something warm and wet drop onto my cheek. I raised my hand to touch it, shocked to realize it was Richard's tears. Through all our arguments and crises, I had never seen him cry, let alone in public.

His eyelashes—those two rows of thick, slightly curled little fans—were now wet with tears, fluttering like dampened butterfly wings. Seeing this man, always so strong and unshakable, now so vulnerable, made my heart ache inexplicably.

His entire body was trembling slightly, and I noticed his clenched fists, knuckles white from excessive force. That face, always calm and composed, was now filled with pain I had never seen before.

"Goodbye, Elena," he said softly, his voice almost breaking.

Then he turned and walked away, staggering like a drunk man, nothing like his usual confident, sharp self. His fingers unconsciously opened and closed, as if trying to grasp something invisible. I watched his figure gradually disappear into the crowd in the terminal, feeling an indescribable urge to run after him.

But I didn't move. I couldn't move. Between us, everything was finally over.

As he disappeared into the crowd, something tore inside me. A tangible, physical pain made me double over, clutching my chest.

"Elena?" William's concerned voice barely registered in my ears.

I collapsed to the floor, unable to stand against this wave of pain. It felt as if an important part of my body had been ripped away, leaving a raw, bleeding wound.

"Mom?" Max's childish voice penetrated my sobbing. "What's wrong?"

I held him tightly, burying my face in his small shoulder, trying to suppress my crying. How could I explain to my child what I barely understood myself?

"It's okay, baby," I managed to say between sobs. "Mommy's just tired."

But the truth screamed in my mind, undeniable and heartbreaking.

It was over. We were over.


Emma's POV

The spring rain poured down, tapping against my windshield. After dropping the kids off at home, Richard returned to the farm. However, several hours passed and he still hadn't come back, which made me a bit worried.

I used location tracking to find out he was at the airport. I was surprised—how did he get to the airport? Without hesitation, I immediately drove there.

A staggering figure caught my attention. I slowed down, peering through the rain-streaked glass.

"What the hell?" I muttered, pulling over.

The tall man was walking aimlessly, with no direction. His expensive suit was soaked through, clinging to his powerful frame. His head was bowed against the rain.

I threw open my door, leaving the engine running. "Richard? Richard!"

He didn't respond, continuing his aimless trudge through the downpour.

"Richard, what are you doing?" I screamed over the rain, grabbing his arm. "Are you crazy? You're walking on the damn highway!"

When he turned to look at me, I almost recoiled. His face was ashen, as if all blood had been drained from it. His lips were colorless, and his eyes—those always sharp, commanding eyes—were now hollow, shifting between clarity and confusion.

"Emma," he mumbled, his voice barely audible over the storm.

"Get in the car," I ordered, tugging his arm. "Now."

He followed without resistance, like a puppet with cut strings. I helped him into the passenger seat, my heart pounding with fear. I had never seen him like this.

As I got back behind the wheel, rage replaced my fear. Only one person could reduce him to this state.

"It was her, wasn't it?" I spat, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles whitened. "Elena Winter."

His silence was all the confirmation I needed.

"What right does she have?" I continued, my voice trembling with anger. "What right does she have to hurt you like this? She doesn't appreciate what you two had. She never did."

I reached into my medical bag and pulled out a sedative. Richard needed rest.

I whispered as I prepared the injection, "I've taken care of you for eight years. I understand you better than anyone."

As the needle slid into his arm, I pulled his heavy, unresisting body against mine, cradling his head against my shoulder. This powerful man, now so vulnerable, stirred something protective and possessive inside me.

"Don't worry," I murmured, stroking his wet hair. "I won't let you think about this again. I'll make sure of it."


Elena's POV

The plane hummed steadily around us, the cabin lights dimmed for the overnight flight. Max had finally fallen asleep, his small head resting on my lap. I absently stroked his hair, my mind replaying Richard's tears over and over.

William approached down the aisle, a blanket in each hand. "Thought you two might be cold," he said with a gentle smile.

"We're fine," I replied, my voice flat and cold.

His smile faltered. "Elena, I—"

"Though what you did doesn't compare to what he did, it doesn't mean I'll pretend nothing happened," I cut him off. "I don't want to see you again."

The color drained from his face. "What?"

"You heard me." My eyes met his, hard as flint. "After we get off this plane, stay away from us."

William sank into the seat across the aisle, the blankets forgotten in his lap. "Elena, please. Whatever Richard told you—"

"I used you," I interrupted again, my voice icy. "And you deceived me. We're even now. But if you ever show your face around me again, don't expect me to be so civil."

His expression crumpled, all hope draining away. "You don't mean that. After everything we've been through—"

"We've known each other since we were children, William. I trusted you." My voice didn't rise, but it cut like a knife. "But you deceived me. Why?"

"It wasn't like that," he protested weakly. "I was trying to protect you from him."

"I don't need your protection," I hissed. "I never did."

William stared at me, his face pale as death.

"Don't come bothering me again, William. We won't have any relationship," I said with finality, turning my attention back to my sleeping son.

I didn't watch him retreat to his seat. I didn't need to.