Chapter 45 The Final Break
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At the entrance. Zayden tossed the slippers carelessly in front of Eliza. His tone was cold. “These are Naomi’s. Try not to dirty
them.”
Naomi often came to the Holt residence, but ever since the tutoring incident, Grace had stopped welcoming her. Naomi herself hadn’t come by since. Eliza had visited even less, so naturally, there were no slippers for her.
Just give me a disposable pair,” Eliza 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.”
Eliza’s tone was calm, final. “I’m no longer the young miss of the Rivers family. And if she finds out you’re in love with Naomi. I’m sure she’ll be even more pleased.”
JAs Eliza 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?”
Eliza 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.
Eliza continued. “Everyone at school thinks you and Naomi 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 Naomi because…”
“Because Naomi’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 Naomi–nothing inappropriate. She just needed more. help, so he gave her more patience.
Eliza 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 Naomi liked you. And I don’t believe you couldn’t tell I liked you either. You just enjoyed being needed by Naomi, 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.
Eliza walked straight into the living room and addressed Grace. “Grace, I’m here to officially end my engagement with Zuyden.”
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 Eliza being kicked out.
Chapter 45 The Final Break
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”
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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.
Eliza 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.
Eliza 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 Eliza walked out the door, that smile vanished from Grace’s face.
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