Grace was surprised by the visit but opened the door nonetheless.
Just then, Zayden came down from the second floor, dressed in a black fleece housecoat.
When he saw Elena, his brows furrowed. “What are you doing here?”
They had just fought earlier that day. He couldn’t think of a single reason for her to show up now.
“Zayden, don’t be rude. Go bring Elena her slippers,” Grace said sharply.
Zayden hesitated, silent for a moment-then reluctantly did as she asked, retrieving slippers for Elena.
At the entrance, Zayden tossed the slippers carelessly in front of Elena. His tone was cold. “These are Sarah’s. Try not to dirty them.”
Sarah often came to the Holt residence, but ever since the tutoring incident, Grace had stopped welcoming her. Sarah herself hadn’t come by since. Elena had visited even less, so naturally, there were no slippers for her.
“Just give me a disposable pair,” Elena replied, her voice distant. “This should be my last time here anyway.”
That line hit Zayden like a punch to the chest.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m here to break off the engagement.”
Elena’s tone was calm, final. “I’m no longer the young miss of the Delaney family. And if she finds out you’re in love with Sarah, I’m sure she’ll be even more pleased.”
As Elena stepped inside, Zayden grabbed her arm. His expression darkened, his voice laced with frustration. “Do you really hate the idea of being my fiancée that much? So much that you’d jump at the first chance to end it?”
Elena pulled back slightly, her eyes cool. “Zayden, don’t be childish. We were never a good match.”
In her previous life, she’d endured everything just to become Mrs. Holt-humiliation, betrayal, isolation-and still met her end in prison. Now, with the chance to leave it all behind, she wasn’t going to hesitate.
Zayden still wouldn’t let go. “Is this because of Nolan?”
“This isn’t because of anyone else. If there’s a reason-it’s you.”
Her gaze met his. Steady. Unfeeling.
That look startled Zayden.
Elena continued, “Everyone at school thinks you and Sarah are a couple. You’ve never liked me. You’ve always gone out of your way to make it clear we’re not close. That’s not my fault, Zayden. That’s your problem.”
“I was only close to Sarah because…”
“Because Sarah’s been clinging to you since we were kids. You’re used to it. You never saw a problem with it, right?”
“If you understand that, then why take it to heart?”
Because Zayden truly believed there was nothing between him and Sarah-nothing inappropriate. She just needed more help, so he gave her more patience.
Elena let out a soft laugh. “You’re still so self-centered.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t believe you didn’t notice Sarah liked you. And I don’t believe you couldn’t tell I liked you either. You just enjoyed being needed by Sarah, and you enjoyed being adored by me. But I’m done with that now.”
She yanked her arm free from his grasp.
Zayden’s hand hung in the air, motionless.
Elena walked straight into the living room and addressed Grace. “Grace, I’m here to officially end my engagement with Zayden.”
Grace blinked in surprise. “Why all of a sudden? Did Zayden do something to you? Tell me, I’ll scold him.”
“I’ve been disowned. I can barely manage my own life right now-I really don’t want to drag Zayden down.”
Clearly, Grace hadn’t known about Elena being kicked out.
She looked toward Zayden, who shifted his gaze away in guilt.
So he had known.
“How could they kick you out like that? Do you want me to talk to your parents-?”
“No need. We’ve cut ties already. I’m just here to make the engagement break official.”
Grace gave a slow nod. “Well, it was just a promise made when you two were babies. You’re adults now, and you can decide for yourselves. If you don’t want to marry, I can’t force you.”
Her dismissiveness contrasted sharply with her previous enthusiasm about the engagement. A month ago, she’d treated it like a serious alliance.
So this was what it came down to-benefit and utility.
Zayden’s face turned darker.
Elena smiled politely and bowed. “Thank you, Ms. Grace. But I’ll still need your signature, just to make it official.”
She pulled out a prepared A4 sheet.
It was a formal statement, declaring the termination of her engagement to Zayden. From now on, they were free to marry others, with no further obligation.
She knew that the original engagement was a business arrangement with actual documentation.
To walk away cleanly, she needed to be just as formal.
“Alright, I’ll sign.”
“Mom!” Zayden snapped, trying to stop her.
But Grace shot him a glare, warning him to keep still.
She signed her name quickly.
Elena checked the document, then stood. “Thank you, Ms. Grace. I won’t take up any more of your time.”
Grace gave her a polite smile-nothing more.
As soon as Elena walked out the door, that smile vanished from Grace’s face.
“Elena broke off all ties with the Delaney family-why didn’t you tell me?”
Grace’s sharp gaze locked onto Zayden. “Do you even understand how important your engagement was? If Elena’s no longer part of the Delaney family, then this marriage is worthless!”
“Mom, I don’t want to call off the engagement.”
Zayden’s fists clenched at his sides.
Grace, infuriated, slapped him across the face. “You don’t want to? You’re the heir of the Holt family! One day, everything we have will be yours! Whoever you marry must be a match for our name!”
“Thankfully, that Elena girl had enough self-awareness to end the engagement herself. Otherwise, what were you planning to do after graduation? Marry some useless freeloader?”
Grace could hardly believe her son.
Still, the engagement was over, and if they had to find another match, so be it.
“She might’ve led you astray,” Grace continued, “but Sarah is the beloved youngest daughter of the Delaney family. Try to secure that relationship. If she doesn’t drag you down, I’ll still consider her worthy of being my daughter-in-law.”
Zayden said nothing.
…
It had been half a month since Elena’s visit to the Holt home.
The semester was coming to a close, and final exams were around the corner. The air on campus was thick with tension.
After morning classes, Elena returned from the restroom just in time to see Henry dash up from the track field, his face lit with excitement.
“Breaking news! You guys want some fresh gossip or not?”
“What kind of gossip?” Colton raised a brow.
“And how would you know anything worth telling?”
“I’m telling you, this one’s nuclear,” Henry said as everyone began to crowd around. “Zayden and Sarah got a room together last night!”
The class erupted in shock.
“No way. For real?”
“Dead serious. My buddy’s family runs a hotel. He told me the two of them booked a room together last night and didn’t come out until morning.”
Elena quietly returned to her seat.
The chatter died instantly. Everyone grew silent, worried the topic might upset her.
But Elena’s voice was calm as ever. “I’m not engaged to Zayden anymore. Gossip all you want-I don’t mind.”
Across the room, Nolan’s hand paused mid-page.
Henry blinked. “Wait, you broke off the engagement?”
“Yeah.”
“When did that happen?”
“About two weeks ago.”
“You never said a word!”
Elena gave a little shrug. “Didn’t see the point.”
Henry nodded, suddenly understanding. “No wonder Zayden and Sarah have been glued together lately. Guess they feel free now.”
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