Chapter 2

Elizabeth hailed a taxi and sank into the worn leather seat, wincing as the vehicle lurched forward.

The driver's cheap cigarette smoke hung in the air, each bump in the road amplifying the pain radiating through her abdomen.

By the time they reached the sprawling Habsburg mansion, her hands were trembling.

The house stood silent and dark—unusual for this hour.

No staff greeted her as she pushed open the heavy front door.

Her footsteps echoed through the marble foyer as she made her way upstairs, each step a small agony.

When she pushed open the master bedroom door, Elizabeth froze.

Everything that had been hers was gone.

Soft blue wallpaper now covered the walls she had once chosen. Delicate cloud-shaped fixtures had replaced her crystal chandelier. A baby crib draped with cashmere blankets stood where her reading chair had been. The corners overflowed with unopened high-end baby products and toys, price tags still attached.

Elizabeth's throat constricted painfully as unexpected tears burned behind her eyes.

She didn't even need to ask for a divorce—Cornelius had clearly planned this long ago, methodically preparing for his new life with Angelina and their child.

The transformation was complete, meticulous—as if she had never existed here.

A sharp pain lanced through her chest, eclipsing even the relentless agony in her abdomen.

Elizabeth gripped the doorframe, the only thing keeping her from collapsing to the floor.

"Seen enough?"

Cornelius's voice cut through her shock. He stood in the hallway, deep blue eyes hard with contempt.

Beside him, Angelina looked even more radiant than she had at the hospital, one protective hand resting on her pregnant belly.

"Elizabeth, didn't you say you wanted a divorce? Why did you come back?"

Angelina's concern was theatrical as she tapped Cornelius's arm. "This is awkward. You insisted on saving this bedroom for the baby just because I mentioned it seemed to kick more in here."

She sighed dramatically. "Now what? Elizabeth has nowhere to go, yet she's back. Do we even have a guest room available?"

Cornelius's jaw tightened with irritation.

Elizabeth's fingers curled with humiliation as she turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

"Wait. Since you're here, sign the divorce papers."

Only then did she notice the folder in his hand.

"You brought up divorce first," he said, extending the document with businesslike efficiency. "The lawyers have prepared everything. Sign it."

Elizabeth accepted the papers with unsteady hands. She flipped directly to the final pages covering asset division, scanning the terms with hollow detachment.

Cornelius had been generous—several properties and a substantial cash settlement that would keep her comfortable for life. A final aristocratic gesture from the Habsburg heir.

But Elizabeth only found it painfully ironic.

Noticing where her attention had gone, Cornelius let out a contemptuous snort.

Angelina seized the moment. "Elizabeth, don't worry. Even if you've been unkind, Cory won't be unfair. He's left you plenty."

She shook her head with practiced sadness. "I truly can't understand you... Cory is such a good man..."

Her eyes glistened with tears for Cornelius's supposed suffering.

His cold demeanor instantly softened. He placed a gentle hand on Angelina's waist. "Look at you, getting upset. Is she worth your tears?"

Wrapped in his tenderness, Angelina grew more emotional. "I just feel terrible for what you're going through..."

A bitter smile curved Elizabeth's lips as she picked up a pen. She signed her name on the final page with deliberate, careful strokes.

Then she flipped back through the document and systematically crossed out every single clause about financial compensation until all mention of money disappeared beneath black ink.

"What are you doing?" Cornelius frowned, genuine surprise flashing across his face.

Elizabeth looked up, her complexion ghostly pale.

"I didn't marry you for money, Cornelius. If we're ending this, let's make it clean."

Cornelius was taken aback. He stared at her, searching for any hint of manipulation or spite, but found only a wasteland of calm.

This unexpected serenity ignited something dangerous in his eyes.

"Very noble," he sneered. "Then return the keys to the west suburbs villa too. It may be in your name, but Habsburg money paid for it. If you want to make it clean, do it properly."

That villa—the first place he'd taken her after their wedding. He'd called it a home just for the two of them.

Another illusion shattered.

Elizabeth felt her throat constrict as she dug through her purse. She removed the key from her keychain and placed it in his cold palm without meeting his eyes.

She straightened her back and walked out, past the heavy front door and into the autumn night.

The wind cut through her thin blouse as she walked aimlessly down the winding driveway. Her mind had gone mercifully blank, pain and despair numbing her senses.

She didn't notice when she drifted into the street.

Didn't register the frantic horn.

Didn't see the blinding headlights until they were upon her.

The impact came with terrifying force, launching her body through the air. For one suspended moment, the world spun in slow motion around her.

Then darkness claimed her as she collapsed onto the cold pavement.