ELEANOR
(unedited)

I stared at the pair of dull, almost lifeless brown eyes inside the framed painting. All the joy and color had been drained from the woman staring back at me. She resembled the way I felt. Surrounded by laughing socialites, living their best lives while she sat in the corner watching everyone else be happy.

"There you are!" I winced at the familiar voice. My mother-in-law's reflection appeared in the mirror beside me. She stood by the door frame with her arms crossed over her chest and her small foot tapping impatiently against the hardwood floor. Her blue eyes held the same contempt as they always did when they looked at me. "Dinner will not cook itself, you know?"

You have hands as well, I thought to myself, but did not dare voice it.

"I will start preparing it shortly, Mother," I replied in a low, obedient whisper, but she did not look pleased. She was never pleased.

"I never understood what Robert saw in a girl like you," she began and I knew exactly where this would go. It was the same speech every time. "He could have chosen any girl that was up to our level, but he chooses you. A girl with not a single penny to her name and whose parents couldn't even afford to show up at her wedding. Pathetic."

I held back the angry tears forming in my eyes. If only she knew how wrong she was.

"You aren't even good-looking. I get why my son can barely even stand the sight of you, with this dull hair and look," she pointed to my love handles, "you are starting to gain weight. At this rate, you'll end up fat and even less desirable for my son. Ugh, I can't stand the sight of you. Finish cleaning this bathroom and start cooking dinner, understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," I croaked as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Gabriela did not spare me a single glance and walked out of the door with no remorse. Once she was out of sight, I let my walls crumble. The tears flowed out of me like waterfalls. I knew I should not care what she thought, but her words always found a way to pain me. The only reason I had gained weight was because she used to complain about how skinny I was. I remember she used to say I looked sickly and found a way to remind me that being skinny could ruin my chances of conceiving.

"El? Are you okay? What happened?" Robert's little brother, Tony walked toward me with concern. "Did my mother say something to you again?"

I wiped my tears and forced a smile on my face. "No, no. I-I just sprayed some cleaner in my eyes by accident," I lied, but Tony did not look convinced.

"Stop lying, El. You are a very bad liar. I know this is my mother's doing."

"It was nothing," I assured.

"I don't get why you don't tell my brother about how she treats you," Tony replied.

"I do not want to burden him," I replied. "He already has a lot on his plate with the new project."

The truth was I had told Robert about his mother's mistreatment toward me during our first month of marriage, but he simply brushed it off and told me she was doing it for my good. According to him, his mother had lived among the elite her whole life and I was new to it all and if I wanted to be a good wife, I had to obey his mother.

"You're his wife, not a burden," Tony said. "If only my brother wasn't so dumb."

"Tony, you shouldn't talk that way about your brother. He is a good and kind man."

"And a dumbass," Tony mumbled.

"Tony!"

"Alright, alright." The teenage boy put up his hands in surrender. "But, on a serious note, do not listen to anything my mother says. In my opinion, you are the best thing that has happened to my brother and I for one am happy you became part of our family."

"Thank you, Tony." I gave him a grateful smile.

Despite his young age, Tony was quite wise. He was also the only one of Robert's family to accept me with open arms. If it weren't for him, I would have fallen off the deep end a long time ago.

"ELEANOR YOU BETTER BE DONE WITH THAT BATHROOM!" Gabriela's voice was loud and screechy.

"I do not get how we are rich, but my mother refuses to hire cleaning staff," Tony said in an annoyed tone.

"Why hire someone when she has a daughter-in-law who can do it for free?" I replied sourly and Tony gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Well, she's going to find someone when you get pregnant. I know my brother may be dumb, but not dumb enough to allow the mother of his child to clean while pregnant."

Mother of his child. Part of me hoped that once I got pregnant with Robert's baby things would change. Maybe then, he could give me more than just one night of passion a week.

"ELEANOR!"

Tony and I winced at the crow-like voice.

"I should go before she breaks a window with her yelling," I said, and Tony snorted.

As we walked toward the kitchen of the penthouse, we heard two distinct voices. I knew before I stepped into the room who the other voice belonged to.

"Oh hey, Tony. You're looking dashing as ever," Daisy, Robert's self-designated assistant and long-time friend said in an overly sweet voice.

"Hi Daisy," Tony replied dryly. "May I ask what brings you to our home during your working hours?"

"Do not be rude, Anthony!" Gabriela reprimanded her son. "Daisy is welcomed whenever she wants. She is family."

Of course she is, I thought.

The reason Robert's mother hated me was because of Daisy Gimbal—Robert's long-time best friend and the girl whose father saved Robert's life by giving up his. It was clear from day one, Gabriela had wanted Robert to marry Daisy, but I had ruined her plans.

"I mean my brother isn't here, so I am assuming he's at the office, but oddly enough the woman getting paid for being his 'assistant' is not with him," Tony replied.

Daisy gave Tony a strained smile. "Actually Tony—"

"It's Anthony to you," Tony reminded warning yet another reprimanding glance from his mother, but Daisy shrugged off his cold demeanor.

"Robert sent me here to inform your mother and Eleanor," Daisy gave me a quick uninterested glance, "that he won't be home for dinner tonight."

"And why is that?" I blurted out the question and Gabriela frowned at me.

"Well, I was able to get my hands on two invitations for an exclusive gala going on this evening. It's being hosted by some British rich family with ties to the royal family meaning they are loaded. That makes them the perfect investors for Robert's new project."

'British rich family with ties to the royal family.' Daisy's words sparked my curiosity.

"Do you happen to know who they are?" I asked and Daisy rolled her eyes, annoyed by my interruption.

"I think their last name was Maxwell or something like that," Daisy said before turning back to Gabriela. "All that matters is that they have plenty of money to spare..."

Maxwell. I could feel my heart accelerate and my hands become shaky. After all this time, he was here. They were here. A reminder of the life I had left behind. Could I be able to face them? Face him?

"If Robert and I can convince them to invest in this new venture, we can expand the business abroad." Daisy pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Robert and you?" Tony asked with a raised brow. "Shouldn't Robert attend this event with his wife?"

"Robert needs someone with experience and connections by his side tonight," Gabriela replied. "Eleanor has neither, so Daisy shall go in her place. Plus, Daisy was the one who secured the invitations."

If only Gabriela and Daisy knew the strong connection I had with the Maxwells. I could guarantee the investment without needing to try.

"And Robert has already agreed it is best I go," Daisy chimed in. "But do not worry El, I will make sure Robert arrives safe and sound tonight."

"How thoughtful," Gabriela gushed and I held back the urge to roll my eyes. "Right, Eleanor?"

"Yeah, how thoughtful," I said with a sarcastic smile.

Daisy's phone dinged and she smiled at the text. "Robert needs me back in the office. Bye for now."

Daisy hugged Gabriela which the latter returned. I could not help but feel jealous of how differently Daisy was treated by Gabriela.

"Bye Anthony, bye Eleanor," Daisy said without sparing us a glance and walking toward the door.

"Allow me to walk you out dear," Gabriela said as she followed after Daisy.

When the two were out of sight, Tony proceeded to mimic the way the two of them walked hand-in-hand. I could not help but laugh at the teenage boy's antics.

"I cannot stand either of them," he said. "I do not get why Robert keeps that plastic doll around."

"Her father saved his life by giving up his," I reminded him. "He feels indebted to her."

"She has money, though. It isn't like she is a penniless orphan."

I shrugged my shoulders. "It doesn't change the fact that her father died so Robert could live."

"Well, I cannot wait for the day she marries a rich fellow and moves far far away," Tony replied and found myself smiling. Deep down, I wanted that too.

Tony walked back into his room and I began making the dinner that Gabriela had so nicely requested. As I finished drying my hands, my phone began buzzing against the countertop. Robert's name flashed across the screen.

"Hello?" I answered timidly.

Even after three years, I still felt shy around Robert. It did not help that he always had a cool and calm demeanor.

"Did Daisy inform you about the change of plans tonight?" He asked dryly.

"Uhh, yes. She told me you two have an important gala to attend to garner some investors for the new project."

"Yes, it is very important that I attend tonight's event," Robert replied. "If all goes well, and I can leave the event early, I would like to visit your bedroom tonight. Would that be okay with you?"

My cheeks flushed knowing what he meant.

"Uhh, yeah, yeah. That sounds good. I'll see you then."

"See you then," he replied before ending the call.

I looked at the clock and it marked four-thirty. I had enough time to cook dinner and get ready for Robert's visit tonight. Hopefully, this would be the night that could change everything.

***

I adjusted myself on the bed for the fifth time in the past two hours. I felt ridiculous waiting in the empty room with a very revealing lace nightgown. I could not stop fiddling and adjusting myself every ten minutes. I wanted to look good for when Robert arrived.

I glanced down at my phone. It was already eleven o'clock at night and Robert had yet to arrive. Maybe they hadn't been able to convince the Maxwells. I could not blame them though. Despite having enough money to throw around, the Maxwells were very responsible with the wealth they had. They were very picky when it came to investing.

My phone buzzed against my palm and I looked down it was a call from Robert. A giddy smile formed on my face as I picked it up.

"Hi," I greeted shyly but frowned when I heard no response, only the sound of shuffling and a female's giggle.

"Robert," the female voice said seductively. I immediately knew it was Daisy. "We shouldn't do this. Eleanor would be upset."

I could feel the blood draining out of my body, but I couldn't push myself to talk.

"But I-I love you," Robert's voice said in a low mumble. "I-I want y-you."

I dropped the phone and covered my mouth with both hands. I-It couldn't be real. I looked down at the phone with glossy eyes. I did not want to believe he had just said that. After years of trying everything to earn his love, he had easily said those three special words to her.

My mind swirled with all the times his mother insulted and belittled me and all the excuses he would give to skip out on our anniversary. All the hope I had for a happy future shattered at that moment. My heart was breaking while at the same time burning with a desire of revenge.

He and his mother had taken everything from me, my light, my happiness, my confidence. Now I would take everything from them.

I picked up my phone and dialed the number of a person I thought I'd never see again, and the only one I knew I could trust to help me.

"Ellie?" The familiar voice caused my heart to accelerate.

"I need your help."

Author's Note: Hi my beautiful lovelies! I apologize for the late update. I had a very busy and crazy week. I promise that from here on out updates will be on time. Thank you so much and I apologize again. What do you guys think of the first chapter? What do you think Eleanor has planned? And who do you think she'll turn to for help? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Thank you for reading! I'll see you tomorrow with another update!