The Cost of Letting Go

Chapter 1

“Let’s get a divorce.” Elena Whitlock’s voice was calm, yet chilling.
Jasper Ellsworth blinked in surprise for a moment, a mocking smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Divorce? What game are you playing this time?”
“I’ve already signed the divorce papers on the table.”
His gaze flicked to the document, and his eyes darkened instantly.
In the next instant, he grasped Elena's chin roughly, forcing her to look at him.
“Who was it that used underhanded tactics to climb into my bed a year ago? Who wouldn't stop hounding me to marry her? And now you say you want a divorce, like it’s that easy?”
“Elena, do you really think you’re in a position of power here?”
Faced with Jasper’s furious outburst, Elena’s expression remained disturbingly serene. A faint smile crossed her lips. “It used to be all my fault. Now you’re free. You should be happy.”
The sight of that pale smile ignited a fiery rage in Jasper's chest, and he squeezed her chin instinctively tighter.
Red marks bloomed on her fair skin in his grip.
But Elena seemed oblivious, as if she were a machine impervious to pain.
“Boring.” Jasper's hand suddenly relaxed, disgusted, as he let her go.
In the brief span of a year, the vibrant, lively Elena he once knew—the one who dared to drug him—seemed like a completely different person.
He snatched the divorce papers from the table and tossed them away. “The fate of our marriage—when it begins and ends is not for you to decide.”
The pages fluttered to the floor like snowflakes, and Jasper stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
The loud bang made Elena tremble involuntarily; her stiff posture suddenly faltered, and she sank to the ground, her strength drained.
A housekeeper, Aunt Clara, emerged from the kitchen, hesitating to approach her with words of comfort.
Not sharing meals at the same table, or sleeping in the same room, with hardly any conversation over an entire year—if she were in Elena's shoes, she’d want a divorce too.
But Mr. Ellsworth’s cold nature didn’t happen overnight. He’d always been like this, and why had the young Mrs. Whitlock pursued him so diligently to marry him in the first place?
Sighing heavily, Aunt Clara turned back to the kitchen, only to see Elena gathering her suitcase, heading down the stairs.
“Ma’am, where are you going…”
“I’ve decided to move out.”
This cold, lifeless house, she couldn’t bear to stay in any longer.
Aunt Clara looked at her, unsure whether to reveal the sadness brewing in her heart. “But what about Mr. Ellsworth…”
“He’ll agree to the divorce,” she replied resolutely. “Whether today or tomorrow, I’ll leave eventually, so I might as well do it now.”
Jasper’s refusal earlier was likely a moment of wounded pride. Why should he be the one to be served with divorce papers?
Once he cooled off, he would be more than eager to sign his name without delay.
Better to take the initiative to leave than to wait for him to kick her out later.
Elena drove straight to the apartment she had lived in before marriage.
Her phone buzzed repeatedly on the way, and as she glanced down, one notification caught her eye—a tweet that read:
“Breaking News: Rising pop sensation Lucius Rivers reportedly attempted suicide and is in critical condition.”
…
When Elena arrived at the hospital, Lucius was already awake.
A thousand curses rose to her lips but evaporated instantly; she understood better than anyone. Lucius had been battling depression for the past year, struggling with severe self-harm tendencies.
Her heart ached for Lucius, and she held her icy hand tightly within her own.
Noticing her shaking hand, Lucius felt a twinge of guilt. “Elena, I’m so sorry.”
“But I’m just so tired. For a whole year, I’ve been dreaming about Poppy and Rowan… It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t dragged Poppy onto that show, she wouldn’t have… Rowan wouldn’t have gone missing.”
Poppy and Rowan.
Those names struck Elena like a cold slap, sending a shiver down her spine.
She shouted instinctively, “That was just an accident.”
The two of them had been intentionally avoiding mentioning Poppy and Rowan for the past year.

Chapter 2

Elena Whitlock had gradually accepted the police's explanation: Autumn Vale was gone, an unfortunate accident, and Rowan Blackwood was missing, his fate unknown.
What she hadn't anticipated was Lucius Rivers blaming her for everything that had happened to Poppy and Rowan.
Now, her worry for Lucius deepened. She held him tightly, a sense of unease washing over her. “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can always step back from all of this for a while.”
“Let’s leave this place. Forget all the unpleasantness and start fresh.”
“Are we really... leaving Central Haven? You’ve only just managed to be with Jasper Ellsworth.”
Elena lifted her gaze slightly, a faint smile gracing her lips. “We’re getting a divorce.”
Lucius froze, momentarily stunned. “Jasper brought it up?”
“It was my decision.”
Confusion flickered in Lucius’s eyes. “Why?”
Elena fell silent, letting out a soft sigh. “Because Livia Gray is coming back.”
Livia Gray, widely regarded as Jasper’s ideal woman.
Just a few days ago, Elena had overheard Jasper discussing Livia’s return to Central Haven over the phone.
“I’ve spent a year realizing that I was trying to hold on to something that wasn’t mine to keep. I’m letting go of Jasper, and I’m letting go of myself too.”
Lucius could sense the weight of her words, unsure if they were spoken from truth or desperation, but his concern only grew.
He remembered watching Elena quietly harbor her crush on Jasper since their freshman year, four years enduring the rumors that Jasper cherished his childhood sweetheart, Livia.
Despite that, she never gave up hope. An unexpected incident at their graduation party had led Elena to marry Jasper.
Yet that year of loveless marriage had transformed her from the vibrant, fearless girl into the quiet, distant woman she was now.
---
Twilight Grove, the premier lounge in Central Haven.
Jasper sat at the bar, nursing a drink, his brow furrowed, the atmosphere thick with his frustration.
Gideon Hawthorne glanced at him from across the counter, muttering, “Not even nighttime, and you drag me here to drink? You’ve got time to waste; I’ve got things to do.”
Jasper ignored him, deep in his thoughts as he downed his drink, his dark eyes clouded with rage.
Gideon sensed the tension and cautiously stepped closer. “Did you have a fight with your wife?”
At last, Jasper reacted, shooting a cold glare at him. “She wants a divorce.”
Gideon's eyes widened with understanding. “No wonder she asked me about divorce procedures a few days ago. I thought she was asking for someone else!”
There was a hint of glee in his tone that was hard to ignore.
Jasper slammed his drink onto the bar, his piercing gaze fixed on Gideon.
“Why are you looking at me like that? She still calls me ‘senior.’ If your classmates come to me for help, I can’t just stand by!”
Jasper scoffed coldly, “You’re in law; she’s in communications. How is that a senior-junior relationship?”
Gideon merely shrugged, caught off guard by Jasper's sudden hostility.
It was clear Jasper was bubbling with frustration, and Gideon wasn’t about to remain silent.
“Divorce her if that’s what you want. It’s not like she truly loves you; back in school, everyone knew she and Leo Ember were an item.”
“When Leo went abroad, she hopped into your bed right away. It was clearly meant to rile Leo up. You really want to be the guy who was just her way to get back at him?”
Gideon, ever the mischief-maker, was stirring the pot intentionally.
Jasper began rolling up his shirt sleeves, revealing defined muscles in his forearms. With a grin, Gideon hurried out, hardly bothering to grab his jacket.
Not long after Gideon left, Jasper exited Twilight Grove himself.
As he drove away from the parking lot, he remembered he had quite a few drinks and called Junior Aide for a ride.
He ended the call, feeling a rush of movement in his peripheral vision. Turning his head, he barely had time to react. A car veered dangerously close, nearly colliding with him.

Chapter 3

When Jasper Ellsworth awoke, he found himself staring at Gideon Hawthorne's concerned face. “You’re awake.”
Jasper responded with a soft grunt, lowering his gaze to see his left hand heavily bandaged.
“You’re lucky. No broken bones, just some minor soft tissue bruising and scrapes. A bit of rest and you’ll be fine.”
Jasper dismissed the apparent severity of his injuries, but Gideon couldn't help but express his frustration. “You've faced storms before, yet here you are flipping your car in a back alley. What were you thinking while driving?”
Jasper lowered his head, offering no reply.
This was typical Jasper—impervious and unfazed, treating lectures like mere whispers against a stone wall.
Gideon, unwilling to waste any more breath on the subject, turned his focus back to his friend. Yet Jasper's serious expression caught his attention. “Can you keep an eye on the driver who hit me? I need to know what’s going on with that guy.”
“Understood. I’ll have someone watch him.”
Gideon pondered asking about Jasper’s relationship with Elena Whitlock but saw him close his eyes. “I’m a bit tired,” Jasper murmured.
“Alright, take a little more time to rest.”
As Gideon quietly watched him, he noticed that even with his eyes shut, Jasper’s brow remained tightly furrowed.
He let out a quiet sigh and discreetly pulled out his phone to text Elena: “Jasper was in a car accident. Can you come check on him if you get a chance?”
After sending the message, Elena glanced at her phone, tossed it aside, and resumed peeling an apple for Lucius Rivers.
In earlier times, she would have rushed over right away.
Lucius, sensing her unusual demeanor, asked, “Who just texted you?”
Without looking up, she replied, “Gideon said Jasper got into an accident.”
Lucius's expression tightened for a moment. “Aren’t you going to go see him?”
Elena rolled her eyes, exasperated. “What’s the point? That guy usually shakes off these things. He’ll live to be a hundred, just watch.”
Lucius had no words.
Watching Elena sulk while peeling apples, he remarked, “Elena, I’ve noticed ever since you decided on divorce, you’re slowly turning back into your old self.”
In college, Elena had been proud and stubborn, secretly harboring feelings for Jasper while adamantly refusing to admit it.
Whenever they crossed paths, she treated him coldly and often picked fights.
Jasper, like a puzzle, appeared calm and composed but would bend under her provocations, leading to frequent spirited arguments.
Eventually, after graduation, Elena managed to marry him after slipping him an enchanted drink, but married life had stripped away the playful banter of their youth.
Jasper grew colder, while Elena’s warmth faded into gentleness, to the point of feeling lifeless.
Now, propped up with her chin resting on her hand, she seemed fully at ease.
“Honestly, I’ve always been the same me. The past year? Just an act.”
Lucius's eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, what?”
Elena smiled, her eyes narrowing playfully. “That lady from the Gray family? Isn’t she all sweet and gracious? I thought I’d give it a shot… but who knew I’d turn out to be an imitation of a wolf in sheep's clothing.”
“Being yourself really is the easiest way.”
Elena chirped happily, handing Lucius a slice of apple, then reclined on the sofa.
“Back then, I must have been blind, falling for someone as troublesome as Jasper. I swear, if I see him one more time, I’ll be destined to live alone for the rest of my days.”
It turned out proclamations were indeed not to be taken lightly.
The next morning, Elena was jolted awake from her dreams by a barrage of phone calls. Groggy and irritable, she hung up on the first few.
But the caller persisted, ringing several more times.
Fuming, she rubbed her face and answered with a sharp tone, “What now?”
“Where are you?” The man's voice was cold and steady.

Chapter 4

Elena Whitlock jolted awake, her voice icy as she snapped, "Why do you care where I am? Did you sign the divorce papers?"
Jasper Ellsworth replied in his usual condescending tone, "Did you check the email I sent?"
Elena’s features froze, a sense of dread washing over her. "What email?"
Jasper offered no further explanation, simply commanding, "Read the email and come home."
"Why should I? Who do you think you are—"
Before Elena could finish her retort, Jasper had already hung up. Gritting her teeth, she opened the email attachment stored on her phone.
It was a new, unread email containing a contract.
After they had wed, Elena and Jasper had signed a marriage contract.
First, confidentiality. Second, no children. Third...
As she read the first few terms, she had been naive enough to think securing him was enough; she had signed without a second thought.
Now, as she reviewed it carefully, she found a clause on the final page that took her breath away:
If the wife initiated a divorce within three years, she would have to pay the husband one hundred million dollars.
One hundred million. What kind of monster did she marry? Did he think of their marriage as just a business deal?
Elena Whitlock felt dizzy from rage over this outrageous clause.
But the signature was hers, binding her legally. With a man like Jasper, who took pleasure in revenge, a divorce would feel like being stripped of everything, leaving her to owe him a fortune.
She squeezed her eyes shut, throwing her phone aside, and quickly got out of bed to gather herself.
On her way to the hospital, she passed a flower shop and hesitated before deciding to stop and buy a bouquet of sunflowers. A hospital visit called for some show of kindness.
Langley Private Infirmary had tight security, the top floor reserved solely for the Langley heir.
As soon as Elena stepped out of the elevator, she spotted Fisher Cormac, Jasper's loyal aide.
Jasper had always treated her coldly, hardly even meeting her gaze, yet Fisher seemed to sometimes stray from his master's disdain, displaying an unusual warmness towards her. Elena couldn’t help but think that perhaps her charm had caught this aide's attention.
In a hushed voice, Fisher leaned closer, cautioning Elena, "Ma'am, the young lord is in a bad mood. You might want to tread carefully."
Though she used to relish being called "ma'am," now it grated on her nerves.
"Please, don’t call me ‘ma'am.’ It's like you're aging me by decades. Just call me the lovely Miss Elena."
Fisher chuckled softly, clearly amused.
It was odd how Elena, vibrant and quirky, seemed to take on this serious demeanor around Jasper.
Following Fisher into the room, she spotted Jasper poring over some documents. He glanced up briefly at the noise but then promptly ignored her, returning to his papers.
Elena knew he was deliberately snubbing her. But with that one hundred million hanging over her head, all she could do was be patient.
After a moment, she noticed a small smile tugging at Jasper's lips as he quietly closed the files and unfastened his shirt, heading toward the bathroom.
Elena bit her lip and followed him, maintaining a cautious resolve.

Chapter 5

Following her usual routine, Elena neatly folded her pajamas at the bedside and grabbed the hairdryer.
As she prepared to leave, Jasper remained still, his gaze heavy, locking onto her figure.
Elena paused and asked, “What now?”
With a meaningful glance at his bandaged left hand, Jasper instructed, “Come here and help me.”
Elena hesitated for a moment, the frustration boiling over as she nearly yelled back, “Your left hand is hurt, your right hand works just fine!”
Her eyes widened, momentarily regaining a flicker of her past fierceness.
Jasper’s gaze faltered for a second, taking in her silhouette before lazily uttering, “One hundred million.”
Elena felt her blood boil; he struck a nerve. Yet, she curbed her anger, trailing after him into the bathroom.
Jasper managed to unbutton his shirt with one hand, but it was evident he struggled with his left arm. Reluctantly, Elena moved in closer, slowly helping him out of his top.
Once the shirt was off, it was time for his pants.
Jasper made no attempt to assist, defiantly looking down at her from his height.
Elena inhaled deeply, grit her teeth, and with a swift motion, yanked his pants down.
A cold, mocking voice from Jasper cut through, “What are you playing at? It’s not like you haven’t seen it before.”
She had seen it, but that didn’t mean she wanted to face it now.
Desperate to get it over with, she picked up the showerhead, shut her eyes, and blasted him with water.
Jasper suspected she was doing it on purpose, yet even with her eyes shut, she managed to aim the showerhead squarely at his face.
If she cranked up the pressure any higher, she could easily ruin his looks.
Stepping aside, Jasper commanded, “Open your eyes.”
Elena felt him move and reluctantly complied, only to be greeted by a sight she shouldn’t have seen.
Heat rushed to her ears.
She hated her own betraying body and despised Jasper's shamelessness even more.
If only the showerhead could morph into a high-pressure water gun and wipe him off the face of the earth.
Through the mist, Jasper caught sight of her flushed earlobes, and something in his irritation began to fade.
After about ten minutes, he finally showed a shred of mercy, allowing her to escape.
He snatched a nearby towel and threw it at her face.
The bathroom fell silent for two seconds before Elena silently pulled off the towel and began to dry him off.
Throughout it all, Jasper’s focus was locked onto her face, searching for any sign of anger or annoyance.
Unfortunately, aside from the occasional furrow of her brow, Elena remained largely stoic.
If he had dared to treat her this way back in college, she would have leapt at him, ready to tear him apart.
When had she started to change? It seemed to coincide with Leo leaving for overseas.
It felt like her heart and spirit had bundled up and departed with Leo, taking along her once vibrant, free-spirited self, leaving only a perfect but numb puppet behind.
Jasper’s eyes grew dark with a hint of bitterness, and even his urge to boss her around dissipated. Coldly, he ordered, “Get out.”
Elena squeezed her fist tightly, barely suppressing the impulse to smother him with the towel and walked out with a blank expression.
Once dressed in his pajamas, Jasper noticed she was still perched on the couch, unmoving.
“Still here? You planning to sleep on the floor?”
Elena didn’t want to leave without being clear.
She lifted her chin, her tone insistent, “I’m serious. I want a divorce. You should sign the papers soon.”
Jasper’s clasped hands suddenly tightened, knuckles turning stark white.
But he maintained his composure, curling his lips into a cold smirk, “Sure, you said the same thing a year ago. You were serious then too, wanting to marry me.”
Thinking back to her past self, Elena felt utterly incredulous.
“What exactly does it take for you to agree to a divorce?”
Jasper's eyes roamed her form momentarily before landing on her intensely: “According to the contract, you owe me one hundred million.”
“You know I can’t come up with that!”
“That’s not my problem.”

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