Cast Aside by One, Bound to Another

Afterward, Blake didn't take Elena to the hospital because he was "broke". Instead, he disinfected her wound at home with iodine and bandaged it himself.

That night, Blake's solid chest pressed up against Elena's back as soon as she lay down.

Understanding his intention, she immediately pushed him away. "No."

Blake froze for a moment. Elena had never rejected him before.

She had gagged halfway through the last time they kissed. Now, she was resisting him again. A strange feeling crept into Blake's heart. It was a vague unease he couldn't shake.

Elena had once been cautious and reserved. But after they got together, she had grown brighter and more full of life. She was also always smiling and motivated.

Yet at some point, that light had faded. Now, she seemed distant—like a breeze slipping through his fingers that was impossible to hold on to.

His voice tensed. "Elle, did something happen? Why don't you want to?"

Elena hesitated for a second before replying calmly, "My knee hurts."

So, she wasn't rejecting him—she was just uncomfortable. Blake then let out a breath, feeling more relieved.

Of course, why would Elena refuse him? With his status, people had always approached him with ulterior motives. Only Elena had ever loved him so purely and wholeheartedly.

And Blake knew that he would never find another person who loved him like that. He understood just how rare true love was.

…

A few days later, the company organized a team-building event on Gabriella's private yacht. The moment they boarded the lavish vessel, everyone marveled at its grandeur.

"I heard this yacht cost at least 100 million, and it was a gift from one of Ms. Sadberry's admirers. The same person who gave her the star observatory."

"Look at the star-themed decor everywhere. It's because of how much she loves stars! Talk about being spoiled!"

"This model of yacht isn't something you can just buy with money. Whoever gave it to her must come from an even more powerful family than the Sadberry family."

The air buzzed with admiration and speculation.

Meanwhile, Blake's gaze settled on Gabriella, the untouchable goddess, through the crowd. His eyes burned with quiet devotion.

Even so, Elena's heart remained still. She no longer cared about their complicated romance. If this wasn't a mandatory company event, she wouldn't have even come.

Soon, she would have her own life—one that had nothing to do with them. She stood in the corner of the deck alone, letting the sea breeze brush against her skin.

As she thought about her family across the ocean, the ache in her heart, which had lingered for days, finally softened with warmth and anticipation.

"You saw me that night at the office, didn't you? You know who Blake really is now. And I'm sure you've seen everything I posted."

Gabriella's voice came out of nowhere. At some point, she had appeared beside Elena. Her tall, elegant figure exuded natural grace and superiority.

Yet her gaze was laced with disdain.

"Elena, you've always known you're just a free maid. So, why are you still holding back? You're not actually hoping to marry into wealth, are you?

"Just stop dreaming now. You don't belong in this world. Plus, whether Blake stays with you or not is up to me.

"I'm done playing around. I've decided to be with him for real. You're useless to him now, so leave while you still can."

No matter how highborn someone was, their dignity twisted into something ugly once they spoke with such venom.

Elena watched her carefully, taking in her momentary loss of composure. Then, she said in a calm voice, "If he's so devoted to you, then just tell him to leave me.

"Why bother coming to me about this?"