Elise stared at Yulia.

Grace had mentioned that Yulia was a formidable woman.

She appeared gentle and generous, but when pushed to her limits, she could retaliate with ruthless precision.

"Elise, I don't know how much of what I've said has gotten through to you, but I hope you'll consider it carefully. Is it worth Nathan sacrificing everything, even at my expense, for what you call love?"

"Why? Why are you forcing me into this position?" Elise's eyes welled up with tears. She looked at Yulia and questioned, "Have you ever truly loved someone in your life?"

"I have, but what does that change?" Yulia smiled bitterly, tears glistening in her eyes. "He still betrayed me for another woman. Tell me, how long can passion truly last? When Charles and I first started dating, he would stay up for three days straight just to prepare a surprise for me. Even that intense love couldn't withstand time's erosion. Of course, I'm not doubting the love between you and Nathan. I just want to remind you—if your relationship is destined to fade eventually, do you really think Nathan won't regret choosing you? Choosing you and giving up everything he possesses?"

Elise bit her lip.

She didn't know—all she knew was she didn't want to leave Nathan now, and she was certain Nathan wouldn't leave her either.

Otherwise, Yulia wouldn't have come directly to her instead of delivering the ultimatum to Nathan.

But Yulia was right.

Years from now, would Nathan truly have no regrets about giving up everything just to be with her? Or would Elise regret being the reason Nathan lost everything, even his family and friends?

She knew all too well what it felt like to be betrayed by family and friends.

She would never forget the pain of being abandoned by her own flesh and blood.

"I'll come see you again tomorrow. Until you've made up your mind, I hope you won't tell Nathan about our meeting."

With that, Yulia stood up to leave.

She was a woman of the world, well-versed in the ways of high society.

There was no need for her to drag things out.

"I'll leave Nathan," Elise suddenly said.

Tears streamed down her face the moment the words left her lips.

Yulia turned to look at her.

She hated to admit it, but her heart ached at the sight of Elise's sorrowful expression.

Still, this was a reality no one could change.

Yulia sat back down on the sofa and handed Elise the cold, hard credit card. "Take this."

Elise glanced at it.

"Accepting the money doesn't mean you don't love Nathan. On the contrary, giving him up today proves just how much you care. Taking my money simply helps ease my conscience."

Yulia pressed the card into Elise's palm, but Elise pushed it away.

"But how will you explain to Nathan that you truly want to break up with him?" Yulia countered.

Elise clenched her fists.

"Take it as a way to make Nathan completely give up on you. Otherwise, having an empty shell of a son in the Davis family means nothing to me." In other words, Yulia wanted Nathan to lose all hope in Elise and have no lingering attachments.

"I have a better way to destroy all his feelings for me."

"Then take this money as my token of gratitude," Yulia explained. "I know your current situation, and accepting this money can only benefit you. Or you can treat it as a loan and repay me once you're able to."

Elise looked at Yulia.

Yulia continued, "I'm not a kind person, but I'm not entirely wicked either. Elise, if only you were still Nancy Levine's daughter, everything would have been perfect."

Elise laughed.

She laughed until tears streamed down her face again.

Indeed, she had prayed countless times that everything was just a nightmare she hadn't woken from. That when she awoke, she would still be Nancy's daughter and a member of the Levine family.

"As long as you're willing, you can come to me for help if you encounter any difficulties. I can still assist you with minor matters without Nancy interfering."

Yulia was telling Elise that, even at the risk of offending Nancy, she wouldn't stand by idly as long as it didn't violate her principles.

Yulia was a good person.

It was life's circumstances that forced her to put up an indestructible, cold facade.

Yulia left.