Part 3From Heartbreak to Triumph

I suddenly remembered that Maxwell often typed on his Twitter page, but I had never seen him post anything.

A thought surfaced in my mind, and I started looking for clues in his social media accounts.

Maxwell's Twitter was empty, but in the list of accounts he followed, I found one named "All for Eleanor".

My hands trembled as I clicked on it.

I discovered that this account had been updated for six years, with thousands of posts.

It was like opening Pandora's box, and the contents inside left me speechless.

Every single post was about Eleanor, filled with an uncontrollable love and obsession.

The first posts chronicled their relationship, and the later ones showed Maxwell's relentless thoughts of Eleanor, even years later.

[November 9, 2021. I'm with someone else now. I won't wait for you.]

That day was one of the many times I had confessed my love to Maxwell. Eventually, he agreed to be with me.

But now I realize it wasn't because he was moved by my feelings; it was because that day, Eleanor had gone abroad.

[March 10, 2022. I slept with someone else. You're dating someone else. We're even now.]

I remembered that night well. Maxwell had been drunk, clinging to me, not letting me leave. In the end, he sweet-talked me into sleeping with him.

[May 16, 2023. Are you really not coming back? I hate you. I'll never forgive you!]

That year, Maxwell had held me tightly and pulled a diamond ring out of his pocket, putting it on my finger.

He looked at me with tender eyes and promised, "Adeline, I will marry you."

I took a deep breath but couldn't summon the courage to read any further.

I scrolled to the most recent post.

[I lost to you in the end. After all these years, I still can't let go. I will always love you.]

The picture was of the two of them, smiling happily, hands tightly clasped together.

Tears fell uncontrollably from my eyes, dripping onto the screen and blurring my vision.

I felt stabbed by lies and betrayal, my heart bleeding.

It dawned on me. Throughout the three years we'd been together, Maxwell's love had never truly been mine.

I finally understood that his love for Eleanor was intense and sincere, lasting for years.

Maxwell had been willing to overcome every obstacle to be with Eleanor again.

Even though she had abandoned him years ago, he still loved her without fail.

But what about me?

I shook, finally understanding everything.

No wonder Maxwell never argued with me. It was because he never cared about our relationship in the first place.

No wonder Maxwell never paid attention to my feelings. It was clear I didn't matter to him.

No wonder Maxwell had been so frantic when he fell down the stairs and broke his leg. It wasn't because he was in a rush to see me but because Eleanor's unexpected return had unsettled him.

I forced myself to hold back the tears, taking screenshots of everything as evidence.

I suddenly realized that maybe this was for the best. At least now, I wouldn't be softhearted anymore.

If I hadn't accidentally overheard his comments behind my back, if I hadn't found his secret Twitter account, I might have lived my whole life deceived, foolishly believing he had truly given up on his first love.

I finally saw through Maxwell's charming exterior, recognizing the darkness within.

I understood now that all his love for me had been a lie.

Now, I no longer had any reason to continue this relationship.

At that moment, my boss, Jasper Blackwood, called.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice.

"Adeline, there's an opportunity to work at our Peregrinia branch. I wanted to ask if you'd be interested. You'd be stepping straight into a director's position, and this opportunity is quite rare."

Jasper tried to persuade me earnestly.

This wasn't the first time a promotion had come my way.

Last time, because I wanted to settle down with Maxwell in Eldoria, I firmly turned down the opportunity to work in Fendell, even though it had once been a dream I truly cherished.

But now, there was nothing left worth giving up my dreams for.

"Thank you for offering me this opportunity. I'm willing to take the position in Peregrinia."

My resolve to break up had never been stronger. My mind was desperately signaling for self-preservation.

Even though my heart ached like it was being torn apart, I was willing to endure the pain.

After hanging up, I immediately booked a flight to Peregrinia for a few days later.

Once discharged from the hospital, I went straight home and packed up all my belongings.

During this time, I didn't run into Maxwell.

I guessed he was still busy with Eleanor.

The next day, while sitting in a taxi on my way to the airport, I saw Maxwell's Twitter account had been updated the night before.

[At our reunion, my heart couldn't help but betray the longing within.]

The picture showed him and Eleanor holding hands, fingers tightly intertwined.

I calmly swiped past it, but the pain in my chest still lingered, faint yet sharp.

Then Maxwell sent me a message. I guessed he must have noticed the changes at home.

[You were discharged yesterday? Where are you?]

I didn't reply.

He called me repeatedly, but I hung up each time.

Finally, a minute before I boarded the plane, an unknown number called.

I answered, and Maxwell's anxious voice came through the phone.

"Adeline, where have you gone? When are you coming home?"

I smiled quietly, keeping my tone calm.

"Maxwell, I know Eleanor is back. She's the one you truly love, isn't she?"

I laughed bitterly, mercilessly exposing his scheme.

"Now that she's back, it's only right that I, as her substitute, should step aside."

The announcement that the plane was about to take off came at just the right moment.

I heard Maxwell gritting his teeth and shouting, "Adeline, where the hell are you?!"