The Scent Of Toxic Love - Chapter 2

Until one day, Eleanor discovered seductive messages sent to his phone every night.

She also found out that her father was growing weaker with age and that his shares were quietly and silently transferred to Andrew.

She also discovered that her father was gradually weakening due to old age and that his shares were being quietly and silently transferred to Andrew.

She realized that Andrew was growing more distant from her, using any reasonable excuse—from being busy to meeting partners, and going on long business trips.

Because she was too infatuated with Andrew’s love, Eleanor blamed other women—those who always wanted to get close to him, wanting to get into his bed to seize a chance for a better life. Only then did she truly understand her father’s words.

But no needle stays hidden in its sheath forever.

Where are you? - Eleanor asked, trying to keep calm, but her voice trembled with suspicion.

I’m having dinner with a client, on the rooftop of the Crisy restaurant, the place I took you to last time. - Andrew laughed over the phone, casually. - You seem to like baked cheese shrimp; I’ll bring some back for you later.

I’ve already eaten. - Eleanor replied sadly. She seemed to be crying. The silent pain couldn’t be conveyed through the phone, or maybe Andrew was just ignoring it. - Is your client... a woman?

Yeah. - Andrew admitted cheerfully, as if he had done nothing wrong. - A very difficult client. - But that confidence was quickly shattered by Eleanor.

Because she was difficult, you had to hold her hand and kiss her on the cheek?

Eleanor hissed. Silence on the other end of the line. But there was no need for the phone; Eleanor stood on the stairway leading down to the restaurant’s rooftop, looking down, tears streaming down her cheeks. She witnessed Andrew’s infidelity firsthand, along with his lies. It turned out all this time, it was all a scam. The sweet scent of love suddenly turned bitter and harsh as she realized there was no love at all. Andrew only wanted money and status, and to get them from her family.

After that day, Andrew laid his cards on the table with Eleanor. He showed coldness openly, didn’t come home, and didn’t speak a word to her.

Eleanor decided to divorce, but this time Andrew didn’t want to. He tore up the papers in front of her and brazenly said:

I don’t want to. Even if it’s just for money and fame, and there’s no love between us, I’m used to living with you now.

You just want a puppet to keep up appearances!

Suddenly Andrew felt a sharp pain, his ears ringing. Eleanor’s words pierced his eardrums like a needle, sending sudden pain rushing down into his heart.

What did she say to him? That she was a puppet he exploited for money? What had he done for her to say that?

Men’s and women’s thoughts never run on the same track. To Andrew, he simply thought those things were what he deserved after working hard. Eleanor was just a gift to prove he was capable of running a big company. Andrew didn’t want to lose her; he told himself it was probably because he had grown used to her presence in his life.

So Andrew kept finding ways to make Eleanor jealous, culminating in bringing his mistress home and shamelessly doing vile things that forced Eleanor to witness them.

That fateful day, neither Eleanor nor Andrew would ever forget.

Pushed to the brink of rage, Eleanor grabbed the glass vase on the table and smashed it down on the other woman’s head. Blood dripped; the guilty third party was forever lifeless.

Immediately after, Eleanor tried to end her own life. Andrew panicked and grabbed her.

What are you thinking? Why would you do that? - He shouted.

Let me go. Bastard. What have you done to me? You made me like this. It’s you!

Eleanor grabbed a shard of the broken vase, struggled to break free from Andrew’s grip, wanting to free herself. Andrew couldn’t hold her anymore; he grabbed her hand and plunged the shard straight into his own chest.

The sharp pain woke him up. A bastard like him only now realized he had love. But he was no longer worthy of it.

Eleanor collapsed to the floor. Even then, she couldn’t bear to hurt him, even though her body was covered with wounds. They sat there looking at each other, unable to speak. Eleanor leaned against the wall, breathing heavily, her hair tangled, while Andrew lay on the floor, blood pouring from his left chest with the glass shard still embedded there. Both looked lifeless, yet they were still alive, their souls turned to ashes.

One loved too much, foolishly and blindly.

The other was blinded by materialism.

Their love turned Andrew into a terrible poison, slowly killing them both without them realizing it.