Chapter 8: Only My Son is Left

At that moment, Eleanor felt her mind go completely blank. She nearly fainted.

Sebastian noticed her distress and tried to reach for Eleanor's hand, but she violently pulled away.

"Don't touch me!"

"What is it?" Sebastian was confused.

Eleanor shoved the picture in Sebastian's face. "You've been sleeping with Claudia all along, haven't you? Fine, you win! Just leave me alone and stop making me sick!"

Eleanor had been on the verge of softening a moment ago, but Claudia's message was like a bucket of icy water dumped on her from head to toe.

Sebastian explained, "That photo is fake! I haven't slept with Claudia at all! Maybe she sneaked in and took it while I was sleeping."

Seeing that Eleanor still didn't believe him, Sebastian quickly added, "I swear to God! If I'm lying, may I—"

"Enough," Eleanor cut him off.

"You believe me now? Then come home with me. Can we please stop talking about divorce? Teddy and I have missed you these past few days."

Sebastian reached out for Eleanor's hand, but she avoided him again.

Despite Sebastian's explanation, the image in the photo still created a deep rift in Eleanor's mind.

The smile on Sebastian's face froze, and a flicker of impatience crossed his eyes.

Eleanor handed all the balloons and flowers back to Sebastian. "We'll talk about the divorce later. I have something to do, so I'm leaving now."

On the way home, Eleanor was still thinking about what had just happened when a little boy ran into her.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to," the little boy said timidly.

Eleanor looked down. The boy had big eyes and chubby cheeks, which reminded her of Theodore.

"It's alright. Just be careful next time and don't run into people again."

The little boy nodded, smiled, and ran off.

Watching the boy leave, Eleanor couldn't help but miss Theodore.

Before Claudia arrived, Theodore had always been obedient and sweet.

When Theodore was just learning to walk, Eleanor accidentally fell down. Even though Theodore was frightened and cried loudly, he still crawled over and tried to help her up.

But that sweet, innocent Theodore had changed the moment Claudia came into their lives.

Thinking of this, Eleanor's eyes welled up again.

She silently made a decision. Her daughter's death was irreversible, but she would never let Claudia destroy her son.

If the divorce with Sebastian was inevitable, she had to take Theodore with her.

Theodore was still young. There was still a chance to fix everything.

After that day, Eleanor started painting day and night.

Since she was determined to divorce and take Theodore, she needed enough money to secure custody from Sebastian.

Eleanor didn't stop, even when she was sick with a fever. All she had to do was think of the sweet, little Theodore calling her "Mommy" in her arms.

Eleanor felt filled with energy.

Eventually, Daphne visited and saw Eleanor's face, flushed from the fever. She forcibly stopped Eleanor and made her rest in bed.

"The exhibition is two weeks away. You don't need to push yourself this hard."

Eleanor said, "I took on a few private painting commissions. But don't worry, this won't affect the exhibition schedule."

Daphne looked confused. "Looking at all these paintings, it's more than just 'a few,' isn't it? Are you in debt? Maybe I can help."

"Thank you, Daphne. It's not debt. I want to divorce Sebastian and fight for custody of my son, so... I want to save up more money."

"You can't ruin your health like this! Speaking of which, I do have a big commission for you. I have a gallery friend who absolutely loved your painting A Life Toward the Sun. It reminded her of her daughter who passed away young. She hopes you can paint a portrait of her daughter. The compensation is negotiable."

"Really?! Thank you, darling!"

This made Eleanor so excited she sat up, only for Daphne to push her back down.

"You focus on recovering now. We'll talk about it once you're well."

With new motivation and a day of rest, Eleanor's cold quickly went away.

After getting the photo of Daphne's friend's daughter, Eleanor immediately started painting.

Every stroke she made felt like more than just creating art; it was laying a path of love for Theodore.

After a week of hard work, Eleanor put down the final stroke.

She stepped back a few paces, looking at the little girl on the swing in the field of sunflowers, bathed in the setting sun's glow and wearing a bright smile. She felt as if she was seeing Ivy again.

The payment for this painting would be enough to lay a foundation for Theodore's future life.

Eleanor smiled unconsciously.

She had planned to send the painting off right away, but she checked the date and realized tomorrow was Theodore's birthday.

She had been so busy lately that she almost forgot.

Eleanor grabbed her car keys and headed out, planning to pick up Theodore for an early birthday celebration.

As she passed a mall, Eleanor bought Theodore's favorite toy brand.

Since she had donated all the income from A Life Toward the Sun, Eleanor didn't have much money. The toy cost almost half of what she had left.

But thinking of Theodore's happy expression when he received it, Eleanor felt it was all worth it.

At the villa gate, Theodore was playing in the garden with the nanny. He looked up when he heard the noise and his eyes immediately lit up when he saw Eleanor.

"Mommy!" Theodore excitedly ran toward her, but stopped halfway.

Theodore put his hands on his hips. "You said you didn't want Daddy and me anymore! Why are you back?"

Eleanor smiled and shook the toy she was holding. "Teddy, tomorrow is your birthday. This is Mommy's gift for you."

He was still a child. Seeing the toy, Theodore happily rushed into Eleanor's arms, looking at the toy with curiosity.

"Do you want to come stay at Mommy's house for a few days and celebrate your birthday tomorrow?" Eleanor asked tentatively, nervous that Theodore might refuse.

Theodore was happy but still said, "I'm not going! You didn't come back to take care of me when I was sick last time! You're a mean Mommy!"

"I'm sorry about last time. I was fighting with Daddy and I let it affect you. I apologize. Will you forgive me?" Eleanor gently coaxed him.

Hearing this, Theodore became smug.

He wanted Eleanor to coax him a little longer, but his body betrayed him. He ran inside to pack his things.

Theodore was busy in his bedroom, and the noise attracted Claudia.

When she heard Eleanor had come to take him for his birthday, and saw how happily Theodore was packing, Claudia thought, What an ingrate. I've spoiled you all this time, and you run to your real mother like a lapdog just because she waved her hand.

But outwardly, Claudia maintained her gentle facade. "Teddy, where are you going?"

"Claudia, I forgot to tell you, I'm going to stay at my Mommy's house for a few days," Theodore said cheerfully.

Claudia nodded thoughtfully. She sighed deeply. "Teddy, sometimes I feel really sorry for you."

"Why?"

"I see how much you love Eleanor, but she only has eyes for her daughter, Ivy. You know that painting your mother sold recently? It was a portrait of Ivy. Even the exhibition she's having soon is focused on her daughter," Claudia said, stroking Theodore's cheek.