Elena Moreno never imagined that on her birthday, her son would hand her a peanut butter cup lethal enough to send her into anaphylactic shock. As consciousness faded, she heard Asher Whitmore's furious reprimand. "Knox Whitmore, did you not know your mother is deathly allergic to peanuts?" Knox's young voice cut through with terrible clarity. "I know. But I want Olivia to be my mom." "Dad, you want that too, don't you?" "Even if I..." A violent wave of suffocation crashed over her. She couldn't make out the rest of Asher's answer. In the final second before losing consciousness, only one thought remained. If she woke up, she was done being Asher Whitmore's wife. Done being Knox's mother. *** Five hours of emergency treatment pulled her back from the edge. When Elena regained consciousness, every breath burned. Her face was swollen beyond recognition. She forced her eyes open, searching instinctively for two figures. The room was empty. Her phone sat on the bedside table. She strained to reach it, but it was too far. Just as she tried to push herself up, the nurse changing her IV pushed the door open and rushed to stop her. "You just got out of the ICU. Don't move. I'll get it for you." The nurse handed her the phone and replaced the IV bag. "Did you not know you have a severe peanut allergy? You have to remember this. Absolutely no peanuts. You're lucky they got you here in time. Otherwise, no one could have saved you." Elena didn't know how to answer. Was she supposed to say her son deliberately chose a peanut butter cup for her, knowing full well it could kill her? Her gaze fell on her body, tangled in wires and tubes. She forced the words out. "Where are they?" She couldn't bring herself to call Asher and Knox her husband and son. Not anymore. The nurse thought for a moment. "You mean your husband and son? They brought you to the ER, signed the paperwork, and rushed off. Said something came up. You should call them." Then she muttered under her breath, "My god. Signed and left? If it were my husband, he'd have worn a hole in the waiting room floor." The words hit Elena like a blade to the chest. Only one person could make that father and son leave so fast. She unlocked her phone. Her chat with Asher was still a wall of green bubbles. She opened Instagram. Olivia's story sat at the top. *Some people come running faster than my private driver. ?* The photo showed only Asher's forearm, sleeves rolled up, a screwdriver in hand. Knox's small fingers reached into the frame, passing over a vintage dresser part from RH. No faces. No names. The two familiar figures burned into Elena's vision. Her eyes stung. The suffocating feeling swept over her again. She refreshed the photo. Zoomed in on Knox's hand blocking the lens. Backed out. Locked the screen. Unlocked it. Looked again. The hospital blanket was wrapped tight around her, but she was still cold. Cold enough that her fingertips shook. They had abandoned her—a woman who had just stared death in the face—to assemble Olivia's goddamn RH dresser. And her anaphylactic shock? Knox had caused it with his own hands. No guilt. No worry. Nothing. Elena let out a hollow laugh. Of course. Knox probably wished she had never woken up. And Asher—whether he knew the truth or not—deep down, he probably wanted Olivia as his wife just as badly. Why would two people who didn't want her bother to stay at her bedside? She set the phone down and stared at the harsh fluorescent lights. The memories came flooding back. She and Asher had grown up in the same Hamptons neighborhood. He was the golden boy—brilliant, skipped two grades, walked into Yale like it was nothing. Everyone knew he'd come back to Greenwich and take over the Whitmore family asset management empire. Elena was quiet. At backyard barbecues and pool parties, she was the girl sitting on the sidelines. As she got older, she faded even more into the background. And yet, she fell for him. She figured her feelings would die the day he married someone else. She never expected him to show up at her door right after graduating from Yale, asking if she would marry him. The shock nearly knocked her over. She couldn't hold back the feelings that had been growing for years. She said yes without hesitation. Just like that, she became Elena Whitmore. Until that night. He'd been drinking. And he told her the truth. At Yale, there was a girl he loved. He'd proposed under the Eiffel Tower, beneath the Northern Lights in Iceland. But the one that scarred him most was graduation day—the hundredth time he got down on one knee, with all his fraternity brothers watching. And the hundredth time she said no. She wasn't ready to settle down. In a rage, he drove straight back to Greenwich and knocked on the door three blocks from his own. She didn't care at first. She believed love could grow over time. A year into the marriage, she gave birth to Knox. She and Asher grew closer. To the outside world, they were the picture of a happy family. Then, a month ago, Olivia Summers came back. It was like he'd forgotten the hundred rejections at Yale. He couldn't stay away from her. The concern. The tenderness. The nights that stretched later and later. Knox started tagging along. She had believed six years of marriage and five years of motherhood meant something. That somewhere in their hearts, she mattered. Today, that fantasy finally shattered. Six years. She had never managed to warm Asher's heart. And the child she had carried inside her own body—he had no more room for her than his father did. Bang! The door slammed open. Elena looked up. A tall figure and a small one stood at the entrance. Asher nudged Knox forward, his expression stern. "Go. Apologize to your mother." Knox twisted his fingers together. He shuffled toward her bed, step by reluctant step. His voice was barely a whisper. "Mom, I'm sorry." Elena turned her head away. She didn't miss the unwillingness in his eyes. Asher's voice was heavy. "Knox didn't know. He wasn't aware of your peanut allergy. I've already disciplined him. He won't give you anything with peanuts again." "A merger deal at the office hit a snag. I saw you were still unconscious, so I went back to handle it." It was the height of summer. The air outside was thick with heat. Elena had never felt colder. She had been awake for hours. Asher hadn't sent a single message. And the only two sentences he'd spoken since walking in were both lies. He frowned at her silence. "It's your birthday. Don't stay angry at a child." "My son and I prepared a gift. See if you like it. You can wear it once you're discharged." He pulled out a classic Tiffany blue box. Inside lay a diamond necklace—something they'd clearly grabbed on the way over from Greenwich Avenue. Elena glanced at it and looked away. "I have a gift for you both too." Asher looked puzzled. "It's your birthday. Why are you giving us gifts?" Knox stared at her with the same confusion. A faint, liberated smile crossed her lips. "It's only fair to return the favor, isn't it? Don't worry. You'll see it in a few days. I'm sure you'll love it." A signed divorce agreement. Exactly what you both wanted.
Asher's expression remained indifferent. "Just focus on resting. Don't trouble yourself with gifts for us." He glanced at his phone. Beside him, Knox pouted, clearly uninterested. Elena took in their reactions. A bitter smile tugged at her mouth. Not interested now? She had a feeling the divorce papers would excite them more than anything. She suddenly felt curious. What exactly was she to them? A placeholder for their real feelings? A housekeeper? Strangers sharing the same roof? The words slipped out before she could stop them. The last syllable hung in the air. A sickly sweet female voice floated from Asher's phone. "Ash, how fast you answer decides how long you get to see me today!" Elena froze. As the CEO managing billions in assets, Asher's ringtone had always been the default. It took her a second to understand. Her nails dug into her palms. He must have recorded Olivia's voice back when they were together. Set it as her custom ringtone. All those years ago. So the cold, detached Asher Whitmore had once been capable of that kind of foolishness. And after six years, he still hadn't deleted it. Had he spent every one of those years waiting for it to ring? Asher didn't hesitate. He answered immediately. A faint sobbing sound came through the line. He was on his feet in an instant, grabbing his suit jacket from the chair. "I'm on my way." His voice was uncharacteristically gentle. He was already at the door when he remembered. He turned back. "A friend ran into some trouble. I need to handle it. Get some rest." His desperation to reach Olivia must have been blinding. He didn't even realize how pathetic the lie sounded. What kind of friend gets a ringtone like that? Knox had already latched onto his father the moment he stood up. "I'm coming too!" He didn't even glance at Elena. That was when it hit her. They hadn't heard a word she said. Even coming from Olivia's apartment to the hospital, Olivia was all they cared about. The phone-checking. The waiting. All for her call. Elena lowered her eyes. "Mm." They hadn't answered her question. But she already had her answer. The moment they left, she dialed her divorce attorney. "Draft the papers as soon as possible and send them to me." The lawyer's tone was all business. "How would you like to handle custody and visitation for Knox?" "Nothing." Elena's voice was quiet. "I don't want anything related to the Whitmore family. Not a single thing." The only thing she wanted now was a divorce.
Elena spent an entire week in the hospital before the allergic reaction fully cleared. Every day of that week, she watched Olivia's Instagram updates. The "trouble" Asher mentioned? Olivia's new rental had lost power and water. The two of them helped her find a new luxury apartment. They toured every high-end furniture store in Greenwich. Together, piece by piece, they turned an empty room into a warm, modern minimalist home. The day she was discharged, Asher and Knox finally appeared after being absent all week. She had already finished the paperwork herself. Asher's cold face showed a rare flicker of guilt. "Sorry I haven't been around. My friend just moved back to the East Coast. She doesn't know anyone here. I'm the only person she can call." Apologies from Asher were rare. Before, Elena would have been quick to say it didn't matter. This time, she just opened the door of the black Escalade. "I know. Let's go home." Asher looked at her. Was she angry? He dismissed the thought. Six years of marriage, and Elena had always been gentle and understanding. She never threw tantrums. He was probably overthinking. Elena kept her eyes shut the entire ride. But she could feel a hot stare on her. She opened her eyes. Knox was looking right at her. He spoke carefully. "Mom, is your allergy all better now?" "Yes." The car pulled up to the colonial mansion. Elena got out. Two steps away, she heard a low mutter behind her. "So does that mean Livvy still can't be my mom..." Elena stopped walking. She didn't cry. She just fully accepted the failure of five years of parenting in that single moment. She felt like an idiot who'd invested everything for five years and gotten nothing back. This was the child she'd carried for ten months and raised for five years. He nearly killed her. And instead of fear or guilt, he was disappointed he hadn't succeeded in clearing the obstacle for his Livvy. What a joke. She swallowed the ache in her chest and headed straight to the master bedroom. Knox, your wish is about to come true. That night, Elena lay in the California king bed. The spot beside her was ice-cold. Asher often worked late in his home office. They barely spoke before sleep. She was used to it. Just as she was drifting off, a pair of hands pulled her into a warm embrace. Hot breath fanned across her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. She forced her eyes open. And spotted a single blonde, curled strand of hair on the collar of Asher's custom shirt. She had worn dark brown, straight hair her entire life. A sudden wave of nausea surged up her throat. She bolted upright and ran to the bathroom. She dry-heaved over the sink. Nothing came out. She gripped the counter, staring at her pale face in the mirror. Asher was wide awake now. He frowned. "What's wrong with you?" Elena almost laughed. He had another woman in his heart. Who was this concerned act for? "Nothing. Go back to sleep." Asher didn't understand. "What are you talking about?" She let out a soft laugh. She couldn't face his hypocrisy. She turned her back to him and lay down. He lost all interest. The door clicked shut behind him. Elena kept her eyes closed. The next morning, her lawyer sent the divorce agreement. *Ms. Moreno, the documents have been drafted per your instructions.* *Thank you.* Just as she sent the reply, Knox came downstairs. "Mom, my birthday party has to be really big this year. I'm inviting someone super important." Knox's sixth birthday. Almost here. She lowered her eyes. A long pause. "Okay." This would be the last birthday she spent with him. Knox got his answer and left for private school. Once he was gone, Elena opened the airline app and bought a one-way ticket. The departure time: three days from now. The night of Knox's birthday.
For three days, Elena threw herself into planning Knox's party. She also bought gifts for every birthday from age six to eighteen. He was still her flesh and blood. Even if they never saw each other again, she had a duty to provide for him until he was grown. Knox's birthday arrived. The guests were many. Elena stood beside Asher, holding Knox's hand, surrounded by the crowd. Every year, Knox had been bursting with excitement on his birthday. Today, he was subdued. He kicked at the grass. His head kept turning toward the estate entrance. Asher kept checking his Patek Philippe. Elena thought something about the party wasn't right. Then a voice called from the gate. "Knox! Happy birthday!" Knox's head snapped up. His eyes lit up. He shoved past Elena and ran. "Livvy!" Elena stumbled backward. She nearly fell. It took several steps to catch her balance. Knox didn't notice. He threw himself into Olivia's arms like a golden retriever puppy, his earlier gloom completely gone. "You finally came. I've been waiting forever." Olivia pinched his cheek. "Traffic was awful. I'm sorry for making the birthday boy wait." Asher walked toward Olivia, a rare smile softening his cold features. Elena stood in the crowd, her ankle throbbing. She watched her husband and son abandon her to circle Olivia. Her heart didn't ache. Only a cold, ruthless hatred spread from her chest to her limbs. She should have known. Only Olivia could make them act like this. She was the "important person" Knox meant. The lively chatter around her died. Guests exchanged glances. Then the whispers started. "Who is that?" "You don't know? The legendary 'Paris ex.' Looks like Asher's planning a repeat of history." "Elena's a saint. If that were me, that matching hoodie would already be in shreds on his windshield." "Shh. She's looking over. It's the kid's birthday. Don't make this awkward for her." Elena pulled her gaze back. Her heart felt bitter. But there was no pain. After tonight, she would no longer be Mrs. Whitmore. Knox was already dragging Olivia around, showing off the party. "Livvy, these are my favorite Marvel heroes." "These are all my pictures since I was born." "This is my finger painting." *** Asher walked beside them, his eyes carrying a faint, amused warmth. They circled the entire lawn before approaching Elena. "Livvy, this is..." Knox paused. "This is my mom." Olivia's expression stayed smooth. She ruffled Knox's hair. "Elena, Knox is absolutely adorable. I'm so envious." Elena smiled. "You'll have one of your own someday." After tonight, she would. Knox. Asher. Both of them. Knox had no interest in lingering near her. He pulled Olivia away. Asher moved to follow, but his gaze landed on Elena standing alone. She looked out of place in the festive atmosphere. His voice softened. "Elena, don't overthink things. You've been working on this party all week. You look terrible. Go upstairs and rest. Olivia and I have Knox covered." Elena lowered her eyes, hiding the mockery. He wanted to be with Olivia so openly that he'd send his wife—the child's own mother—away from her son's birthday party. She said nothing. She went upstairs. She was done wasting energy on things that didn't matter. The butler called her down for the candle ceremony. Knox stood before the giant fondant cake in the center of the lawn, ready to make his wish. Olivia and Asher flanked him. Elena stopped at the sight. The picture of a perfect family. Anyone else joining would look like an intruder. Olivia spotted her. She smiled apologetically. "Elena, come stand over here." She started to move away from Knox's side. Knox's small hands gripped Olivia's dress. He wouldn't let her go. "Mom, I want Livvy to stand next to me." Asher glanced at Elena. "It's Knox's birthday. Let's do what he wants. Don't take it personally." Elena stood still. She nodded calmly. She didn't even want these two people anymore. Why would she care about some meaningless spot? Knox's happiness was obvious. He closed his eyes and clasped his hands together. "I wish to grow up happy." He paused. Then, in French, he added, "I also wish for Livvy to be my mom."
The childish voice rang out clearly. Everyone heard it. Several guests spoke French. The expressions in the crowd shifted. Asher froze for a beat. Then his face smoothed over. "He's been watching the French dub of The Little Prince. He picks up lines and misuses them." Knox's mouth turned down. He looked ready to argue. "But—" Elena stepped forward and cut him off. "This is your gift. It can make your wish come true." She handed him the kraft paper envelope. Inside was the signed divorce agreement. She imagined this was the gift Knox wanted most. She paused. "There's a key inside..." She had meant to tell him the gifts for ages six to eighteen were all in a bank safe deposit box. Every year, he just needed to open one in order. But Knox nodded dismissively before she could finish. "Thanks, Mom. Got it." He didn't believe her. A gift that could grant wishes? Just the kind of nonsense adults told kids. He tossed the envelope onto the gift pile. His eyes were full of expectation as he looked at Olivia. "Livvy, what did you get me?" Olivia pinched his cheek and pulled a gift from her Chanel bag. Three custom hoodies. In the center was a blown-up photo of the three of them at Six Flags Magic Mountain. "Remember that trip to Six Flags? I made us matching hoodies. Do you like them, Knox?" "Wow!" Knox gasped. He grabbed the hoodies and examined them. It looked like he wanted to put one on right that second. "I love them! I'm wearing this tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that!" The Whitmore family photographer arrived for the birthday portrait. Knox's eyes brightened. He tugged at Asher's sleeve. "Dad, let's all put these on for the picture. You, me, and Livvy." Asher, who only wore custom suits in public, didn't refuse. The three of them changed. They looked exactly like a family. When it was time for the photo, Asher frowned at Elena. "Why aren't you coming?" Elena looked at the three of them squeezed together in their matching hoodies. No room for anyone else. She forced a small smile. "I'm a little tired. You go ahead." Asher thought nothing of it. He signaled the photographer. Olivia and Asher stood on either side of Knox. The photographer directed them to move closer. Inch by inch, their shoulders touched. They both flinched. Looked at each other. Asher's normally cold eyes softened. A blush rose on Olivia's cheeks. Knox stood in front of them, holding their hands, beaming. The guests whispered. "So the hundred-proposal legend is true. Someone's getting a second act." "I'd love to see how long the 'Paris first love' sticks around this time before she runs again." "Poor Elena. Honestly, she should've planned her exit years ago. Those two never really ended things." Elena heard it all. She suddenly remembered Asher's proposal six years ago. No flowers. No ring. Not even a knee on the ground. Just seven short words at her apartment door. "Do you want to marry me?" Seven words. She had leaped into this marriage like a moth into a flame. Even after learning about Olivia, she held on, believing being his legal wife meant something. Believing he would eventually love her. It took six years to understand. A heart already claimed by someone else could never be warmed. No matter how hard she tried, the moment that person reappeared, she lost. Completely. She watched Asher's gaze keep drifting to Olivia. A soft laugh escaped her. Soon. This marriage that never should have happened would be over.
Elena didn't want to watch their happy scene any longer. She walked alone to the rose arbor in the back garden. Buzz. Her phone vibrated. She swiped up. A text message. *Dear Passenger, your flight departs in 8 hours. Please proceed to JFK International Airport for boarding.* The first genuine smile of the day spread across her face. She pocketed the phone and headed upstairs to pack. She'd only taken a few steps when she ran into Olivia. She stood blocking Elena's path, smiling. "Elena, hiding out here? You're the hostess. No slacking off." Elena knew Olivia wasn't as innocent as she pretended. The day she got back, Olivia had found a way to add her on Instagram. Then came the constant stories showing off her time with Asher and Knox. "Say what you came to say." Olivia studied her for a long moment. Then she laughed. The mask fell away. "Fine. Direct it is." "I just came back for what's mine. What did you think you were these past six years? A convenient warm body and a babysitter. He proposed to me a hundred times. You got seven words. You really don't see the difference?" Elena had already decided to leave this marriage. That didn't mean she'd tolerate a third party's taunts. Her voice went cold. "My marriage to Asher is none of your business." Olivia examined her French manicure. "So what? I rejected him a hundred times and he still can't forget me. You've seen it yourself. Asher loves me. Even your son wants me as his mother." "I just said, 'Get your mommy to eat peanut butter and I can be your mommy.' And he actually did it." She looked Elena up and down, contempt plain on her face. "Shame you're so hard to kill. Would've been nice if you'd disappeared sooner." Elena stared at Olivia in disbelief. Her nails bit into her palms. Rage burned in her chest. Olivia put Knox up to it. The peanut butter cup was her doing. "Olivia, how could you—" "You took my place!" Olivia's cold voice cut her off. "Without you, I'd be Mrs. Whitmore right now." She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Asher and Knox were heading toward the garden. Olivia's venomous face instantly transformed into wounded innocence. "Elena, I know you've never liked me. But Asher and I are just old friends. Was it so wrong to come to Knox's birthday?" Her eyes reddened. Her voice wobbled. Elena frowned. What was this sudden change? In the next instant, Olivia tore a rip in the hoodie. Before Elena could react, Olivia grabbed her wrist and yanked. "Ah—don't!" Splash. Elena was dragged into the pool. She had nearly drowned in a backyard pool as a child. Water terrified her. It closed over her head, and she thrashed on instinct, fighting to stay above the surface. Splash! Asher had sprinted over and dove in without hesitation. Elena reached for him. "Help—" She watched him swim straight past her. Toward Olivia on the other side. He didn't even look at her. From the pool deck, a panicked voice shouted, "Dad! Livvy's over there! Get her out!" In that moment, Elena heard it. Her heart, already full of cracks, shattered into dust. In a life-or-death moment, the two of them still only cared about Olivia. Her strength was gone. She closed her eyes. The darkness swallowed her.
Watch? https://cps-front.novelix.live/app-api/ext/new/202606198VS3MrNA1N ? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "Novelix" app ? search for "ni150071", and watch the full series ✨! #Novelix