Chapter 19 Eloise's clothing store was a chain brand . It had mainly been expanding in the south , and the one on Regentwell Street was her first store in Eidolen . She would be staying in Eidolen this summer . Besides overseeing the operations of the store in Regentwell Street , she had also scouted a few good locations and storefronts . Currently , she was currently in negotiations and handling renovations . Eloise was extremely busy and didn't come to the store every day . But whenever she was , she would see Benjamin and Elijah standing at the entrance . The store manager frowned as she reported , " Ms. Windsor , those two come here every day and refuse to leave . They say they're here to see you : " Eloise nodded and went back to work . By lunchtime , the boys showed no sign of leaving and hadn't gone to eat either . They just looked at her pitifully through the window . Eloise finally sighed and walked over to them . " Mom ! " Benjamin and Elijah's brightened with joy . " Let's go eat . " Eloise walked ahead and brought the two to the McDuffs next door . It was crowded during lunch hour , and she found two empty seats for them . Then , she went to the counter and ordered two meals . While waiting , Benjamin tried to pull her over to sit with them , but she refused . When the food was ready , she placed the trays on their table . Seeing their uneasy expressions , she said softly , " Eat and go home . Don't come again . " With that , she turned and went back to her store without looking at their reactions . Benjamin and Elijah's eyes reddened . They stared at the food in front of them , their throats feeling tight . Benjamin was the first to pick up his burger and take big bites , swallowing hard . Elijah also ate the food their mom had bought , but it tasted like wax in his mouth . Both of them kept their heads down and said nothing . It was as if the air around them had stopped circulating , making the corner feel especially heavy and suffocating . They didn't feel as though they were in a noisy , bustling restaurant . By the time they finished lunch and went to the store , Eloise had already left . They waited until evening . Sebastian came after work , but Eloise still didn't show up . The three could only leave , heads hanging low . At dinner , they could hardly taste their food . When Eloise had first left , they were certain she would come back . After all , they were the people she loved most . As time passed , they grew more and more uneasy . It turned out Eloise wasn't just acting out of spite . She had truly left them and didn't want them anymore . But the Windsor family was still there . It was why they believed that as long as they apologized to Eloise when she came back , she would eventually soften and forgive them . But now that Eloise had really returned , she was as distant as a stranger . She even had a new child . How could they not panic ? Benjamin and Elijah thought they were the people Eloise could never let go of . Sebastian also believed they were his bargaining chip , but it no longer worked . Even with Benjamin and Elijah showing up every day , Eloise remained cold . Sebastian tightened his grip on his spoon . He then put down his plate and spoon before standing up and going back to his room to make a call . The next day , when Eloise arrived at Henova , Sebastian was already waiting at the door . When he saw her , he stepped in front of her and handed over a document . " This is a store lease agreement . Ellie , I know you've been trying to rent that store near Bellspire . There were some issues , but I helped you sort it out . " Sebastian wanted to use this as a way to get closer to Eloise . To his surprise , Eloise raised an eyebrow and glanced at the agreement . Then , she raised her hand , tearing it to pieces . Sebastian was momentarily stunned and said hoarsely , " Ellie , I just wanted to help you . We don't have to be like this … " " Sebastian , let me make one thing clear . I don't need your help . And it's best if we don't see each other again . " Eloise sneered . Sebastian felt a wave of helplessness wash over him . " Ellie , I did make some mistakes three years ago , but nothing actually happened between Iris and me , Even if you're mad , three years have passed . Are you really going to give up on our marriage and our children ? ' Ben and Eli are sorry too . You've been gone for years , and they've changed a lot . They really miss you . I also miss you , Ellie . " His eyes were filled with regret . " I know I wronged you during those ten years . It wasn't until you left that I realized I truly had feelings for you . Ellie , I've thought about you every single day these past three years . " " Eloise listened quietly , her gaze as cold as ice . " Just like how you used to think about Iris ? " Sebastian froze , completely at a loss for words . Eloise let out a mocking laugh . " Sebastian , ten years is a long time , so long that I once thought I'd spend the rest of my life being ignored by you and the kids . But it's also short . " I still have many more decades ahead of me , countless choices I can make . Why should I stay with someone who once hurt me ? Sebastian , your so- called love means nothing to me now . " With that , Eloise pushed past the stunned Sebastian and went into the store . Sebastian stumbled back a step , eyes bloodshot as he watched her walk past him . L الله الله