I Left, He Regretted

"Mr. Thornton, I accept your invitation to be your chief interpreter," Eleanor Mitchell said calmly.

After hanging up, Eleanor lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on her husband and daughter at the dining table in the living room.

Her husband Harold Hernandez was cutting the steak on his plate, while their four-year-old daughter Jessica Hernandez sat across from him, chattering away.

"Dad, let me tell you, Lavinia is really amazing! Being with her, my Seraphim is improving so fast!" Jessica said fluently in Seraphim. "Not like Mom—she doesn't know anything."

Eleanor's steps faltered, a chill spreading through her heart.

Married to Harold for five years, he had no idea that she was actually fluent in eight languages, with the language of the Seraphim being one of her specialties.

It was precisely because they thought Eleanor couldn't understand that they acted so brazenly in front of her.

The Lavinia that Jessica mentioned was Harold's first love, Lavinia Saunders.

Lavinia and Harold had grown up together with a deep bond, but were forced to break up due to family opposition.

Six months ago, Lavinia returned from abroad, and upon her return, effortlessly captured all of Harold and Jessica's attention.

Eleanor just felt exhausted, but she didn't want to dwell on it anymore.

Because she would be leaving soon.

Before that, Eleanor only wanted to spend the remaining time peacefully with Harold and Jessica.

Eleanor didn't tell Harold and Jessica she was leaving—they wouldn't care anyway.

In their hearts, there was only Lavinia.

Eleanor walked over casually and placed the sandwich she'd just made on Jessica's plate.

Seeing the sandwich, Jessica immediately frowned, pushing the plate away unhappily. "This again! Why is there no strawberry jam? I want something sweet!"

Eleanor patiently explained, "You're losing your baby teeth lately. The doctor said you should eat less sweets—it's bad for your teeth."

"Mom is so annoying!"

Jessica rolled her eyes at her, then turned to complain to Harold in Seraphim, "Lavinia buys me lots and lots of yummy candy."

Harold wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, glanced indifferently at Eleanor, and replied to Jessica in Seraphim, "Don't say these things in front of Eleanor."

Jessica curled her lip disdainfully, and said in Seraphim. "So what? She can't understand anyway."

Eleanor's heart sank, her fingers trembling.

Of course she understood.

Before marrying Harold, she was the star student of the renowned interpreter Efrain Hubbard, with an unlimited future ahead.

But for Harold, for this family, she turned down the advanced training opportunity Efrain Hubbard recommended, confined herself to this home, and to being a housewife.

She had loved Harold for ten years. To marry him, she was willing to give up everything.

But in Harold's eyes, all this was just her natural duty.

Harold paid no attention to Eleanor's past, and even resented her somewhat, believing she had used underhanded tactics to please his parents years ago, forcing him to marry Eleanor and part ways with Lavinia.

After breakfast, Harold picked up his suit jacket, preparing to take Jessica to school.

Eleanor stood at the kitchen doorway, watching their backs, and said softly in Seraphim, "Be careful on the road."

Harold's movement putting on his shoes paused, and Jessica turned around in surprise too.

Before they could react, Eleanor had already turned back to the kitchen.

She heard Jessica muttering quietly outside in Seraphim, "Mom can actually speak Seraphim?"

Harold said coldly, "She probably watched some Seraphim TV shows recently and only knows this one phrase."

Jessica immediately believed it. "True, Mom only knows how to wash clothes and cook. How could she possibly know Seraphim? Lavinia is so much better—beautiful and capable. She promised to take me to a show today. I can't wait!"

In the kitchen, Eleanor stood frozen in place, cold water running over her fingertips.

A tear fell, splashing into the soap bubbles in the sink.

A concert.

I once eagerly suggested we all go together as a family, but Harold always brushed me off, saying he was busy with work.

Now, he was going to take Lavinia and Jessica.

So it wasn't that he was busy—he just didn't want to go with me.

All these years, I gave everything to this family, only to end up being seen by Harold and Jessica as someone who only knows how to wash clothes and cook.

Eleanor turned off the water and wiped away her tears forcefully.

Her phone vibrated—an email from Seraphim: [Ms. Mitchell, your ticket is booked. Also, Boss heard you're married and worried you might not want to leave your family. He's asking if we should book tickets for your husband and child too. Don't worry, we'll cover all expenses.]

Eleanor thought of what Jessica said before leaving, and replied expressionlessly: [No need. I'll go alone.]

Then Eleanor calmly scheduled an appointment for the next day to get her work visa at the Seraphim consulate.

Since her family didn't need her anymore, there was no reason for her to stay .

The next day, after finishing her visa paperwork, Eleanor was about to leave when she ran into Harold and Lavinia in the consulate lobby, each holding one of Jessica's hands.

The three of them were laughing and talking, looking every bit like a happy, perfect family.

Eleanor had almost forgotten that Lavinia worked here.

Eleanor felt her heart tighten painfully and instinctively turned around, wanting to pretend she hadn't seen them.

"Isn't that Mom?"

Jessica's voice rang out behind her.

Eleanor's steps froze, and she reluctantly turned around.

Seeing her, Harold strode over, his tone icy. "What are you doing here?"

After speaking, his peripheral vision caught the passport in Eleanor's hand, and he frowned slightly. "What's that in your hand?"

Eleanor quickly put the passport in her bag, pretending to be calm. "Nothing."

Harold studied her face for a moment, then said with displeasure, "Eleanor, I'm just taking Jessica out for a bit. Do you really need to follow us here?"

Eleanor was stunned for a moment, then realized that Harold had misunderstood her.

She suddenly found it rather laughable—so, in Harold's eyes, she was a paranoid, crazy woman who only knew how to stalk him.

Eleanor didn't want to explain that she was here for a visa. She said flatly, "I was just passing by."

"Passing by?" Harold sneered, his eyes full of mockery. "This place is thirty miles from home. You just happened to pass by here?"

Jessica chimed in, her little face full of displeasure. "Mom is so mean, not giving Dad any freedom."

"Harold, don't be like that." Lavinia stepped forward with an understanding smile. "Eleanor cares about you. Don't be so harsh on her."

Lavinia looked not only young and beautiful, but also gentle and gracious, with a sweet voice.

No wonder Harold and Jessica both liked her.

Jessica held Lavinia's hand, her eyes full of affection. "Lavinia is the best, the most reasonable!"