5 It was Howard . A jolt went through me . I couldn't let him find out my plan . Before he could ask another question , I went on the offensive . I threw the photo at him , my eyes welling with tears . " What is this ? Explain this to me ! Howard Hawthorne , how could you do this to me ? " 4/5 12:36 12.46 Chapter 1 His eyes flickered with guilt for a split second before his usual calm , authoritative mask settled back int place . " It's just an old photograph , Eleanor . Don't make a scene . It's ancient history . Not worth mentioning . " Seeing my tear - filled eyes , he softened his tone . " If you must have an explanation , fine . Serena's daughte had a rare form of autism back then . Her therapist said that interacting with her peers could help . I only too the boys to go skiing with them because I felt sorry for the child . That's all . There was nothing between Sere na and me . " He was still lying to me . If there was nothing between them , why hide the photo in a secret compartment of his safe ? A sharp pain lanced through my heart . I fought back the tears . " I want a divorce . " Howard's eyes widened in shock . " What did you say ? " I zipped up the suitcase , my heart cold and empty . " I said , a divorce . I'll take the gold bars , you can hav everything else . It's a fair deal . " He was so angry he used my full name . " Eleanor Hawthorne , have you lost your mind ? I'm giving you one more chance . Take back what you just said . " No more chances . I laughed , a hollow , bitter sound . " I'm not the crazy one here . That missing girl you're all so frantically search ing for , that's the girl in the picture , isn't it ? And you wanted me to adopt her ? Howard , what is wrong with you ? Are you even human ? Since you want her as a daughter so badly , I'll step aside . I'll make way for her . Isı ' t that what you want ? " He panicked , grabbing me in a fierce , possessive embrace , just like when we were young . He snatched the photo from my hand , threw it on the floor , and ground it under his heel , as if that would prove his point . " See ' I don't care about this old picture . Stop this nonsense , Eleanor . Be good ." I shoved him away with all my might and slapped him across the face , hard . I was done being good . " Eleanor , get back here ! " I dragged the suitcase filled with one hundred gold bars and ran like my life depended on it . 5/5 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!