Ella had dozed off on the sofa without realizing it, her body slumped slightly to one side from pure exhaustion. Briar emerged from the kitchen and, seeing this, gently draped a jacket over Ella's shoulders.

"Wake up, dear," Briar whispered, tapping her arm.

Ella's eyes snapped open, the lingering scent of home-cooked food filling her senses. "Is it ready?" she asked grorogily.

"Yes." Briar hurried back to serve the meal. Ella sat up, trying to find some comfort in the warm plate Briar set before her. "I went to the supermarket especially to get this for you," Briar added with motherly affection.

Ella managed a pale smile and took a bite. "It's fantastic, Briar. Thank you."

Their brief moment of peace was shattered when the front door swung open. Austin had returned. Ella had almost forgotten he still had a key to this house.

"You're coming with me to see Grandmother today," Austin’s voice was icy and detached.

Ella paused, her grip tightening on her silverware. It wasn't a request; it was a command. Recalling how he had undermined her project at the summit, a wave of cold defeat washed over her.

"I'll visit Grandmother on my own," she responded flatly. "As for our living arrangements, I've made a decision. I’m moving out."

Austin’s brow furrowed. "What?"

"I'll explain to Grandmother that I need space, but I’ll keep the divorce a secret for now," Ella stated firmly, looking him in the eye. "I won't let her worry, but I can no longer stay here."

"Moving out? To be closer to your new colleagues at Quantum Tech?" Austin let out a sharp, derisive laugh. "You’ve certainly become bold lately."

"Think whatever you want, Austin," Ella replied, her appetite completely gone.

She tried to stand, but Austin blocked her path, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over her. "Austin, let’s be honest—there is no love left here. You have Judith. There’s no reason for us to keep hurting each other in this house."

"You’re so quick to abandon everything we had," Austin snapped, his frustration boiling over.

Briar, seeing the tension, stepped in. "Mr. Raymond, please, she’s not well. Let’s talk calmly."

Austin turned his sharp gaze to Briar. "Who are you?"

"The new housekeeper Ella hired," Briar replied, trembling slightly.

Austin fell silent for a moment, exhaling deeply. He looked at Ella, who was shaking with a mix of fever and fury. "Ella, you’ve blocked my calls and now you’re threatening to leave. Is this your way of getting back at me?"

Ella closed her eyes. "You told me to look for problems within myself, Austin. Now I’m saying the same to you! Daron and I worked for years on that project, and you took our chance away just as we were about to launch. You destroyed my hard work!"

She was crying now, the words fueled by months of suppressed resentment. She pushed against his chest with the last of her strength. Austin stepped back, astonished by her outburst, but before she could say another word, her knees buckled.

Austin caught her just before she hit the floor. "Ella!"

"She has a fever!" Briar rushed forward, her voice filled with reproach. "She’s been sick for days, and it’s because of the stress you put her through! What kind of husband doesn't notice his wife is collapsing?"

Austin didn't answer. He picked Ella up in his arms and carried her to the car, his face grim.

At the hospital, the nurse was blunt. "102.2 degrees. Why did you wait this long to bring her in?" She looked at Austin with a frown. "I recognize her medical records. Her body has been extremely weak since her previous miscarriage. You need to be more attentive."

Austin’s expression shifted, a flash of suspicion and guilt crossing his eyes. "Miscarriage?"

Before he could ask more, Ella stirred. She struggled to sit up, her forehead beaded with sweat. "Don't get up yet," the nurse warned, but Ella ignored her, offering a weary, pale smile.

"I'm fine," Ella whispered.

Austin studied her intently, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Is there something you've been hiding from me all this time, Ella?"

"Weren't we supposed to visit Grandmother?" Ella countered, her voice weak but her gaze defiant.

"In your condition?" Austin responded irritably, though his hand lingered near her arm as if to steady her. "Grandmother would never forgive me if she saw you like this."