1 For Mother's Sake

"Ellie, my dear ... don't push yourself if you're not happy. Just get a divorce. Don't worry about me. I'm fine, sweetheart," Diana said to her lone child, Ellie, in a hoarse and weak voice.

Ellie sighed and nodded.

"Mom, I'm okay," Ellie said while making a thin line on her lips and placing her mother's palm on her cheek. "Aunt Martha and Noah were both very nice. What should you be worried about?"

Diana's sad eyes were flooded with tears that slid out of the corner of her eyes one by one.

"Sweetie, I'm the one who gave birth to and raised you; how is it possible that I didn't know you were lying?"

Ellie moistened her lips. She leaned forward to hug her one and only family.

"Mom, I'm telling you the truth..." For your sake, such suffering was nothing, Mom. Ellie continues in her heart, I'm willing, even though I have to jump into the lake of fire.

Indeed, the misery she had to endure at that so-called husband's house was incomparable to her mother's life, which she desired to protect.

Only by remaining in the Anderson, will she be able to pay for her mother's treatment and prevent her uncle from seizing her family's house.

Diana shed all of her tears. She was completely aware that Ellie was deceiving her. She's aware that her daughter's never happy with her marriage.

Even though Ellie always put a cheerful façade on her face, she knew her daughter was suffering in her husband's house.

She endured for her own sake.

She is not an ignorant lady. She's not a fool who has no idea what's going on.

"Dear, keep it in your mind. All I want is for you to be happy. "

Ellie nods. She straightened herself again after discreetly wiping away the tears that had already poured.

"It's six o'clock, Mom. I have to go," Ellie told her mother. She rose and kissed Diana on the cheek.

She had to end her brief meeting with her mother since the visitation hour had expired.

"Sweetie, remember... what I said earlier, hum?"

Ellie smiled and nodded as she walked away.

In the cab, Ellie kept recalling her mother's words. It's true, she wanted to end this loveless marriage, but what would happen to her mother if she did?

She had no money to pay for her mother's treatment nor any relatives to ask for help.

Relying on her mother-in-law is the only way for her mother to receive the best care.

Ellie shut her eyes. Her body and mind were exhausted. Twenty minutes of the ride had passed.

She stepped out of the taxi and saw the vast fence surrounding a mansion. A residence where there is more anguish than laughter happens.

She didn't want to return to this place, but where else could she go? Only her husband's house could provide temporary shelter.

Ellie walked into the house on heavy steps. It's quiet and chilly, just like her feelings.

"You're finally home." A cold and disdainful voice entered Ellie's ear.

Ellie raised her head as she closed the door. An attractive man with a stout build stood tall at the foot of the stairs, wrapped only in a kimono and loose pants that reached his ankles.

His solid chest was perfectly shown, complete with his six-pack abs.

Ellie bit her lower lip as she got nervous. She then greeted the man with a bow. "Young master."

"Get some chilled water. Alexandra is thirsty. " Yet another frigid and deep voice sounded out.

Without gazing at him, Ellie bowed once again. "Yes, young master. Is there anything else? "

The man gave Ellie an icy stare before turning around and climbing the stairs, leaving no other word.

Ellie quickly changed her shoes and went directly to the kitchen, preparing water and ice cubes for her husband's lover.

Yes. Her husband's lover. A well-known supermodel and actress, Alexandra Jones. And Noah, her husband, ordered her to be his lover's maid.

Protest? It's useless. Noah had constantly told her that their marriage was only on paper and that it would terminate as soon as he became the president of The Anderson Group.

Then there were just three months left.

Ellie brought the tray of ice cubes and water up to the second floor. She was going to knock when she heard moans and groans from within the room.

She was afraid to take another step since she was unsure of what to do and scared. Just lay the tray in front of the door or knock.

Meanwhile, Noah sneered as he spotted Ellie's shadow under the door. He slipped down from his lover's body and put his kimono on.

He walked up to the door and yanked it open.

Ellie, who was standing a few steps away from the door, gasped.

"Why are you still standing there? Bring it in! " Noah snapped at her.

Ellie swallowed her saliva and nodded. She walked in without looking at Noah or Alexandra, who was still lying on the bed.

She put the tray on the table near the balcony entrance and turned to go.

"Wait!

Ellie came to a halt. Slowly, she turned around again, still lowering her gaze.

"Anything else, miss?" Ellie inquired in her soothing voice.

"I'm hungry, and I'd want pasta," stated Alexandra.

"Okay, Miss. Is there anything else? "

Alexandra shifted her gaze to Noah, who was still standing at the entrance; his eyes narrowed at Ellie from the moment she entered his room.

"Do you want something, honey?"

When Noah heard his lover's voice, he shifted his gaze to his woman, who was resting calmly on her stomach with her legs raised and swinging.

"No need," Noah responded. "Ellie, you're free to go."

Ellie graciously bowed once again. "Very well, young master. I'll take my leave, "Ellie stated. She turned around and exited the room.

At a quick pace, Ellie cleaned up the kitchen and prepared the ingredients for cooking tomorrow morning. As soon as she was back from taking spaghetti to Noah and Alexandra's bedroom.

She then returned to her room and cleaned up her tired body before completing her work report for today.

She wanted to lie down and relax, but there was still a lot of work to be done, and it had to be completed tonight. Otherwise, she will undoubtedly receive a scolding from her seniors tomorrow.

"Ah!" Ellie clenched her teeth in pain. Her tummy ached unexpectedly.

"Oh, no. Please... don't... ahh... "