Elise simply stared at William with complete indifference. "I'm a grown woman—I have needs too. And honestly, I need to move past this trauma."

William maintained his cold smile while she continued to look at him seriously.

"Our relationship was a mistake from the very beginning—even our first encounter was wrong. I've told you before that the best solution is for you to return to Victoria, while I live my life freely."

She spoke without any emotion, only showing determination to end things.

Still, William asked her, "Don't you feel anything after everything we've been through?"

After enduring so much, did she really have no intention of changing her mind?

"Nothing," Elise answered with absolute certainty. "All I feel is fear—fear of when I might accidentally upset Victoria again, fear of when she might try to kill me again. Death threats, false accusations, and now using James to threaten me? I've had enough."

"It will be over soon," William said confidently.

"No, it won't," Elise replied coldly. "Even if things calm down temporarily, it's just the calm before the storm. I don't know if I can survive what's coming next. I'm only human—flesh and blood—and I can't keep having my life shortened like this."

"Elise—"

"If I really wanted to be with you, I wouldn't have tried to leave you so many times. I've thought this through carefully, and there's something else I need to be honest about..."

Elise paused, while William continued to stare into her emotionless eyes.

"When your grandfather took me to Levine Manor after the Levine Holdings anniversary celebration, he had a long talk with me. He told me that James is my child, and that you're the one who slept with me all those years ago—before he forced me to leave you."

"My grandfather—"

"Let me finish," Elise interrupted him.

William pressed his lips together and remained silent.

"Yes, I'm not someone who gives up easily, nor do I compromise willingly. But he made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"What was it?"

"If you marry Victoria without any issues, I can take James with me."

William's eyes narrowed while Elise looked at him coolly, carefully controlling her emotions. "I was reluctant and angry about being coerced, but I agreed anyway. James means more to me than anyone else—I would die to keep him safe, let alone lose you."

Her tone suddenly shifted from indifference to misery. "So this isn't a discussion. I'm begging you, please go back to Victoria and stay with her? We're both James's parents. I'm willing to sacrifice everything for him, and I hope you can be a little selfless too. Please?"

William swallowed hard, his expression gradually shifting from restraint to calmness.

"Is this really what you want?" he asked.

"Yes, it is," Elise replied bluntly without hesitation.

"Fine," William agreed.

His response came so unexpectedly that Elise felt a sharp pain in her chest.

The feeling was too strong to ignore, but she knew this was the best outcome for everyone. "When are you leaving?" William asked.

"Tomorrow."

"I'll book your flight."

"No, that's fine. Patrick will handle the arrangements," Elise said bluntly.

As William stared at her, she explained, "Since we're cutting ties anyway, let's not unnecessarily involve ourselves in each other's lives."

"...Okay," he replied.

"Thank you," Elise said sincerely, picking up her knife and fork again.

She ate very slowly, as if she couldn't taste the food at all.

She watched as William stood up and left, while she herself had barely eaten anything.