Read Vanishing Love: His Redemption

CHAPTER ONE

Chapter 1 You Are Unworthy

“What's really going on between you and that woman? The media is now speculating about your relationship with her.”

“What's really going on between you and that woman? The media is now speculating about your relationship with her.” Inside the living room, an old man's roar echoed. He threw the phone at a young man. At that moment, the screen of the phone displayed a news headline that read: Famous actress Elsa Larson spotted on a late-night date. The mysterious man is likely her fiancé. The man said indifferently, “Nothing, but the media is right. Elsa is the one I love and my wife.” Francesca Beckman, who was about to step out of the kitchen, carrying a glass of milk, abruptly halted, her gentle face turning deathly pale. Phillip Zeller's eyes widened in anger. “You b*stard! What nonsense are you spouting!” The man took a deep breath, seemingly holding back his anger. “You know very well whether I'm spouting nonsense or not.” “You br*t!” Phillip snapped irritably, hurling a cup at the man's feet. Afterward, the living room fell into an eerie silence. Upon hearing the escalating argument between the grandfather and grandson in the living room, Francesca hastily retreated to the kitchen. In her frantic state, she accidentally collided with the corner of the table. A sharp pain spread from her body to her heart, and her eyes brimmed with tears from the agony. A few days ago, she had received a pregnancy notification on her phone. It was sent by Elsa Larson, her husband Colton Zeller's first crush. Along with it came Elsa's mocking text that read: Francesca, it's time for you to step down. You shamelessly took my place back then. It's about time you returned it. Back then, you and your family committed such despicable acts. If I were in your shoes, I would have been so ashamed and outraged that I would have rather died than marry Colton! Only after marrying did Francesca discover that there was a woman whom Colton had always deeply cherished in his heart. On the night of their wedding, she had seen news of her husband, Colton, and the popular actress, Elsa, entering and exiting a hotel. Back then, she had still nurtured the hope of living in harmony with him, and with a sense of guilt toward him, she became his wife. However, things were not as she had expected three years later. Only when Phillip and Colton talked about something else did she finally leave the kitchen. After seeing Phillip off, Francesca, who had been forcefully holding back her emotions, finally retreated to the bathroom. Just as she did, the door was abruptly pushed open, causing her to stagger back a few steps. Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw the stern man who walked in—her husband, Colton. His expression was icy, and his black suit only accentuated his cold demeanor. As soon as he entered, he gripped her chin. “Did you coax Grandpa into pressuring me to have a child with you? Francesca, you've gotten better at this over the years, huh?” Before Francesca could say anything, his gaze turned even more icy as he added, “Three years ago, you climbed into my bed to become Mrs. Zeller, and now you want to use a child as an excuse to cling to the Zeller family forever?” Francesca's expression shifted abruptly, and she bit her lips. “I didn't!” “You didn't?” Mockery filled Colton's eyes. “Francesca, no one knows better than you how the Beckman family plotted against me. You're unworthy of bearing my child.” The harsh words caused Francesca to clench her fists tightly, her nails digging deeply into her palms. She had always known that Colton did not love her. Yet, when he uttered the word “unworthy,” she still felt as though a thousand arrows had pierced her heart. For three years, she had faithfully fulfilled her role as Mrs. Zeller. Even when her original family had constantly demanded money from the Zellers, she would refuse whenever she could. She had thought that she could gradually thaw Colton's heart. But now, she realized that his heart was like an age-old glacier. No matter how much she gave, it remained frozen. Back then, the Beckman family had schemed against him. He, a figure who had always commanded respect in the business world, had been outmaneuvered by a minor family clan. Naturally, he harbored a deep resentment toward the Beckmans. “Over these past three years, have you... have you ever felt even a little... a tiny bit of affection for me?”

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CHAPTER TWO

Chapter 2 Let Us Get A Divorce

She spoke in a hushed tone, her body barely managing to contain its intense trembling, as if she had exhausted all her strength and courage. Colton gave a cool, detached smile. “What do you think?” The mockery and disdain in his eyes made Francesca realize that since the scheme against him three years ago, her family and she herself were nothing more than clowns. Francesca's heart ached so intensely it was almost numb. I must be crazy to think that Colton likes me... If I found myself in such a situation, where manipulation prevented me from marrying the person I once loved, I would probably harbor a profound resentment toward the manipulator for the rest of my life as well. How could he possibly fall for me? He must wish nothing more than for me to be out of his life. It's been three years. Do I really want to be Mrs. Zeller for the rest of my life? Am I truly ready to stake my lifetime of happiness on this? Looking at the indifferent man before her, Francesca felt a heartache so intense that she could barely breathe. “I...” Francesca tried to speak, but she found her throat dry and sore. The immense pain made it impossible for her to utter a complete, simple sentence. “I... understand.” After finishing her words, she turned and left the bathroom. Her silhouette appeared both fragile and forlorn. As Colton observed her receding figure, his brow creased in thought. In that instant, he found himself questioning his actions. Was I too harsh with my words tonight? Perhaps she was also a victim three years ago. However, soon after, Colton's gaze turned serious. Francesca is part of the Beckmans, so how could she possibly be a victim? She must have some knowledge about what happened in the past. Even if she was unaware, she should have stepped forward to reject the proposal when the Beckman family suggested a marriage alliance with my family years ago. If she was truly brave and kind, she should have admitted to the media the underhanded tactics of her family, rather than allowing the happiness of three individuals to be compromised. Upon returning to the mansion, Francesca found herself staring at its emptiness. She couldn't help but ridicule the ludicrous and terrifying thoughts that had haunted her for the past three years. She fancied that Colton would fall in love with her after their marriage, imagining they could grow old together like any other ordinary couple. She was tired. Francesca dialed Colton's number, aware that after dinner, he would always head over to Elsa's place. “Hello.” A gentle female voice rang out. Francesca recognized it as Elsa's voice. “Put Colton on the phone,” Francesca said, not interested in exchanging pleasantries with Elsa. She didn't like Elsa, and obviously, the feeling was mutual. In a way, the two of them were romantic rivals. “He's in the shower. He doesn't have time for you right now.” Upon hearing these words, Francesca clenched her fists, her nails digging painfully into her flesh. Yet, she no longer felt any pain. Her heart had been shattered for the past three years. “If he doesn't show up at the mansion within the next fifteen minutes, you can forget about us getting a divorce.” Francesca seemed certain of something as she spoke to Elsa with unprecedented firmness. “You, the renowned actress, will forever be a mistress.” After she finished speaking, she promptly hung up the phone, not leaving any room for Elsa to utter another word. Ten minutes later, the sound of a car engine came from the courtyard. Francesca gave a bitter smile. Whenever the matter concerned Elsa, Colton would show up in an instant. He could somehow reduce a journey that should have taken fifteen minutes to just ten. Colton walked into the living room, the subtle fragrance wafting through the space significantly diffused his mounting anger. “Francesca, how dare you threaten Elsa?” Colton looked at Francesca seated at the dining table. He strode toward her, noticing a document on the table, along with a bottle of red wine and two glasses. “So what if I threatened her?” She lifted her gaze to meet Colton's, her eyes no longer filled with the fear and admiration of the past. “Three years ago, I even dared to scheme against you, didn't I?” Upon hearing her bring up the matter from three years ago, Colton immediately lost his patience. Annoyed, he pulled back a chair, the sound of it scraping against the floor grating on the ears. He sat across from Francesca with his legs crossed and eyes locked tightly on her. He was curious to see what trick Francesca was trying to pull by calling him over so late at night. Observing Colton's impatient demeanor, Francesca clenched her fists tightly. With a resolute and intense look directed at Colton, she declared, “Let's get a divorce.”