I Wait for Neither Rain Nor You

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It was my pregnancy that had Elias Stones blue-blooded family heir in a fit of pique this time.

When I returned alone from my doctors appointment, his gaze, usually fixed on financial reports, didn't even lift.

I have no immediate plans for children. My assistant has scheduled your procedure for next week.

That evening, I packed a bag and left.

But his rival, Dean Holloway, found me, offering to help me fake my death to escape.

The condition was the Rosewood Estate, which belonged to me.

The day I was supposed to leave, I accidentally overheard their conversation.

If you want to marry Scarlett back home, why not just divorce? Why go through this whole charade of faking her death to get rid of her?

A divorce and remarriage would brand Scarlett a homewrecker. A widower remarrying minimizes the harm to her.

Then why do you want her Rosewood Estate? Arent you allergic to roses?

Elias gave a faint smile.

Scarlett likes them.

Dean Holloway probably didn't expect me to arrive two hours early at our meeting point.

In two hours, I would be boarding his private helicopter to leave.

But right now, hiding behind a concrete pillar, I gripped my hands so tightly they trembled uncontrollably.

Once you take her abroad, find someone to look after her until the baby is born. This card is my compensation for her.

Elias said, his tone utterly dismissive.

Then came a scoff.

Youre kidding, right, Stone? You want me to look after your wife and child? Arent you worried Ill look after them into my bed?

Elias seemed to freeze for a moment.

Their eyes met, then he calmly shifted his gaze, lighting a cigarette.

I thought you preferred the big-chested, empty-headed type, Holloway? Shes not your style.

Sometimes you just want a change of pace. And honestly, Eleanor Leigh is quite pretty.

After a brief silence, Elias nonchalantly flicked his cigarette ash.

Suit yourself.

Dean laughed heartily.

Relax, Im just kidding. That mousy, domestic type like Eleanor, shes not really my thing. Besides, if it werent for Scarlett, I wouldnt lift a finger for you, not even if you offered me another twenty percent of the profits.

Elias shot him a cold, sharp glance.

Scarlett is your pet name for her?

I first saw Scarlett Lindell at a Stone family dinner.

At the time, she was Eliass nephews girlfriend.

Fair-skinned and beautiful, in a red slip dress.

Bold enough to corner Elias in the dim hallway of the old mansion.

Uncle, your nephew cheated on me. Ive decided to teach him a lesson.

She smiled, cunning and bright, then pulled his tie and kissed him.

That day, Elias pushed her away.

He was a man of great restraint.

In our five years of marriage, countless women had tried to get into his bed.

From innocent interns to glamorous actresses, he never once crossed the line.

But Scarlett became his sole exception.

On the day we were supposed to fulfill our marital duties, Elias didnt come home.

I huddled in the cold sheets, waiting for a long time. Overcome with sleepiness, I finally called him.

After a long ringing, it connected.

The hot, ambiguous sounds made me realize the call had been accidentally answered.

Then I heard a low murmur, accompanied by a muffled groan.

Scarlett, this is how you teach him a lesson

Scream for me. I want to hear it.

His voice was hoarse, unable to contain his passion.

I froze, shaking as I dropped my phone.

It was then I realized that my usually composed and reserved husband could lose control like this.

Dean Holloways teasing voice piped up again.

I heard Eleanor Leighs Rosewood Estate was her mothers inheritance. Taking that from her feels a bit cruel, doesnt it?

Take? Wasnt it her choice to use it as collateral for the deal?

To have a child or to keep her inheritance, I gave her a choice.

Elias slowly stubbed out his cigarette.

Hearing those words, I actually laughed.

Yes, from childhood, I had always been making choices.

Tired of being confined and starved in the bathroom by my stepmother, I chose to be obedient, to call her Mom, and to silently endure her furious slaps when she was upset.

Afraid of one day being drugged and assaulted by my stepbrother, I chose to agree to the marriage alliance with the Stones, to marry a man whose marital duties were even outlined in a prenuptial agreement.

Fearful that Elias would truly force me to have an abortion, I chose to use the only memento my mother left me to exchange for Deans help to escape.

Because I didnt want to die, I fought desperately to live.

If thats what you call a choice.

Then fine.

From now on, I wont fight anymore.

I laughed, wiping away the tears streaming down my face.

If they didn't want me to live.

Then we could all go down together.

I pretended to know nothing and successfully left the country as planned.

At the same time, the news broke that Eleanor Leigh, wife of Elias Stone, CEO of Stone Enterprises, had tragically died in a fire.

Dean, as agreed, prepared a secluded villa in the countryside and a new identity for me.

And the first thing I did after settling in was get a medical abortion.

I had wanted that child once.

But now, I didnt want it at all.

Lying on the cold hospital bed.

I could distinctly feel the undeveloped embryo detaching from my body.

Back at the villa, I lay in a daze for several days.

When Dean came, he found me crying in bed.

He didn't know Id had an abortion. Seeing me so distraught, he frowned and asked,

You still cant let go of Elias? You love him that much?

Elias and I were in an arranged marriage.

If Stone Enterprises hadn't been facing a cash flow crisis, my nouveau riche father would never have had the chance to secure a marriage alliance with a family like the Stones.

Our first meeting was the day before we officially registered our marriage.

Compared to my nervousness, he was elegantly composed, calmly handing his assistant a thick prenuptial agreement to pass to me.

Ms. Leigh, if you have any questions, we can discuss them.

I once only saw marriage as an escape from the Leigh family.

Later, I gradually thought that if Elias was the one Id spend my life with, it might not be so bad.

He would prepare unique gifts for every holiday and anniversary.

He would take me to every important event, smiling as he introduced me to everyone: This is my wife.

And in bed, when he sensed my nervousness, he would whisper hoarsely in my ear: Tell me if it hurts.

How could I not have loved him?

My stifled sobs grew louder, and Dean, perhaps impatient, snatched away my blanket, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Eleanor Leigh, why dont you just come with me instead?

I hadnt told him I was crying because of the pain. I gave him a cold glance. What nonsense are you talking about?

He suddenly leaned closer, a hint of seductive charm flickering in his deep-set eyes, which usually held a playful, dog-like affection.

Im not joking, princess.

I stiffened slightly, clutching the bedsheet, unsure what to do.

He seemed pleased with my reaction.

He ruffled my hair like a puppy, raising an eyebrow with a roguish smile. Mind if I use your shower?

When the sound of water began in the bathroom, relying on my last stolen glance, I opened Deans phone.

That red rose icon was all too familiar.

Scarlett.

[Eleanor Leigh would totally lose it if she knew Elias was celebrating my birthday at her Rosewood Estate, wouldnt she?]

[You need to propose to her on my birthday, then dump her the next day. Don't forget to record it!]

[I cant wait to see her face when she realizes she's been played by both you and Elias!]

Dean replied with a face-palm emoji.

[Alright, little princess, youre the expert at this game.]

Scarlett loved playing games to watch me squirm.

She knew I had discovered their affair.

So, when she was in bed with Elias, she would accidentally call me from his phone.

When I accompanied Elias to important events, she would always call, making him abandon me.

Even on my birthday, she dressed as a sweet maid delivering a cake and, when my back was turned, hooked Elias into a kiss.

Perhaps my reactions were never quite satisfying enough for her.

So this time, she wanted to play a bigger game.

I took photos, then put Deans phone back.

Since they enjoyed playing these games, I would play along to the very end.

I spent an entire night figuring out Dean and Scarletts relationship.

They were both trust fund kids, childhood sweethearts whod even had a childhood engagement.

But Scarlett didnt like spoilt heirs like Dean; she preferred the thrill of bringing down a reserved man like Elias.

And Dean, the kind of playboy who adored being a lapdog to a princess, seemed outwardly flirtatious but was deeply starved for affection.

The most direct way to win over such a man was to care for him, look after him, and mother him.

In the days that followed, Dean used every trick he had for chasing women on me.

It was an endless parade of clothes, handbags, expensive jewelry, and armfuls of roses. Oh, and spontaneous fireworks displays.

He sent gifts for seven straight days, and I ignored him every time.

Finally, the spoiled prince couldnt take it anymore. Drrunkenly, he arrived at my house.

Pushing open the door, he saw the piles of unopened gifts and let out a frustrated laugh.

He shoved me against the wall, gritting his teeth. Eleanor Leigh, are you really that hard to get?

I asked him, Are you hungry?

Dean froze.

Those eyes, always filled with playful mockery, were now clear as a golden retrievers.

He nodded stiffly.

I made him a bowl of noodles and sat opposite him, watching him eat with gusto.

He looked at me self-consciously. Why are you staring at me?

I smiled bitterly. Elias used to only eat a few bites. He never ate with such enjoyment, like you.

He paused, then asked, feigning indifference, You often cooked for Elias?

I nodded. He had a sensitive stomach, so I learned some recipes for digestive health.

I was lying.

With four maids in the house, I never had to cook.

He fell silent, burying his face in his noodles.

In the following days, Dean clung to me, demanding I cook him various dishes, and pressing me about whether Elias had ever eaten them.

I played video games with him, watched him race, and listened to him recount his teenage angst. When he feigned indifference, I calmly described my life after my mothers death.

The way he looked at me grew increasingly strange.

Finally, one day, as I was washing dishes, he suddenly hugged me from behind.

Eleanor Leigh, have you thought about my offer from last time?

His chin rested on my neck, sweet and with a hint of cautious anticipation.

I didn't speak.

In the quiet kitchen, only our increasingly heavy breathing filled the air.

Just then, his phone rang.

It was Eliass voice coming through the receiver.

How how has she been lately?

It seemed he sensed my body stiffen.

Dean spun me around, forcing me to face him.

His deep eyes stared intently at me, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Shes fine.

Elias was silent for a few seconds, then asked, And the child?

My eyes slowly welled up with tears.

Deans face darkened. He abruptly gripped my chin and kissed me fiercely.

He casually knocked the phone onto the counter.

He held the back of my head, kissing me until I could barely breathe.

Dean Holloway!

I cried out his name.

But he just curved his lips, rubbing his nose against mine, his voice hoarse. Say it again.

On the other end of the line.

Eliass hand, holding the phone, froze.

Behind his glasses, his pupils abruptly constricted.

I pushed Dean away, panting, and ran upstairs.

He chased after me, grabbing my arm. Eleanor Leigh, cant you just look at me?

I looked at him. Why?

He gritted his teeth in frustration. You dont know why? Fine, Ill tell you. Because Im crazy about you!

I didnt know how much of Deans sincerity was real and how much was pretense at that moment.

It didn't matter.

What mattered most was that I knew my moment had arrived.

You like me? I scoffed, a cold laugh escaping. Alright, then give me back my Rosewood Estate.

Dean hesitated for a few seconds.

I pulled my hand away from him. Mr. Holloway, please let me go. I truly cant risk giving my heart away to the wrong person again.

He grabbed me tightly, pulling me into his arms. Is it true? If I give it back to you, youll believe Im serious?

Whether Dean was genuinely swayed by my acting these past few days, or merely feigning affection to draw me into his trap, he eventually returned the property transfer deed I had signed.

But as he handed it back, he probed, Are you taking the Rosewood Estate back because you want to return?

I shook my head calmly. No. Eleanor Leigh is dead.

She died in the deception they wove together.

Dean and I started dating, just like a normal couple.

He was incredibly clingy. After we started dating, he stopped going to bars, races, or clubs. We walked hand-in-hand along the river, and kissed on the sofa while watching movies.

Every time, by the end, hed be panting, his head on my lap, stroking my lower belly and whining, When will it be three months?

He didn't know I was utterly alone.

Our romantic game would only last until the day he and Scarlett had planned.

That day, Dean was bothering me as usual, his hand trying to slip under my clothes, when his phone rang.

He impatiently reached to turn it off but paused when he saw the name on the screen.

Uh babe, my buddys calling me at this hour, probably something urgent. Ill just take this.

His expression was a little unnatural.

He was clearly distracted when we went to bed that night.

I feigned sleep.

He called my name softly a few times. Seeing no reaction, he grabbed his phone and got out of bed.

It sounded like he was heading out, but when the door opened, I heard his hushed, surprised voice: You came all the way here? Are you crazy?

Immediately followed by a petulant, aggrieved voice.

Dean Holloway! Are you scolding me?