He Never Chased Me, Until I Let Go

Ellowyn’s POV

Six years of marriage. I thought if I tried hard enough, he would eventually see me.

But he never held me. Never called our daughter "sweetheart." He couldn't even bear to hear her call him "Daddy."

He said I had schemed my way into his life. Said I was shameless.

I laughed. So in his eyes, my love had been a lie from the very beginning.

I signed the divorce papers and took my daughter far away.

I thought it was finally over.

But then he said—

"I will never let you go."

"Ms. Vance, are you sure about this?" Jasper, the HR director, set down my resignation letter and looked up at me. "You've been with us for years. It would be such a shame to see you leave so suddenly."

I delivered the excuse I'd rehearsed a hundred times. "Jasper, my husband's been building his career in Monte City for years now. He's finally settled, and he wants me and our daughter to join him."

Jasper nodded, his face softening with sympathy. "That makes sense. It must be so hard being a single mom. I didn't even know your husband was in Monte City—we all thought you were raising your daughter alone."

I let him believe it.

I wasn't divorced yet. But I would be. Soon.

The HR door clicked shut behind me. I was about to leave when I saw him in the corridor.

Dorian Sterling stood with his back to me, deep in conversation with several executives. His long fingers held a document as he spoke—that low, clear voice carrying an authority that seemed woven into his DNA. Even from this distance, I could hear it.

Six years, and he was still the man my eyes found first in any crowd.

The cruel irony? On paper, this perfect man was my husband. The father of my daughter. In reality, he couldn't even stand to look at me.

What a joke.

I used to be his most trusted assistant. Then one night changed everything.

We got married because of the baby. But he chose distance—from me, from fatherhood, from the family we could have been.

He couldn't even bear to hear Arabella call him Dad.

This morning, when I dropped her off at school, she held my hand and asked three times: "Mommy, will Daddy come to my graduation today?"

I knew he'd say no. But she kept asking.

I couldn't let her down.

"Dorian…"

The moment he heard my voice, his expression darkened.

"Watch your place," he said, his voice low and ice-cold.

Before I could respond, Sheena Vere, his new assistant, appeared with a bright smile.

She drifted to his side like it was the most natural thing in the world, reaching up to adjust his tie. "Mr. Sterling, I've finished organizing the meeting notes. There are a few details I'd like to confirm with you."

"Sure. Let's talk in my office." His voice softened. He even leaned slightly toward her to hear better.

That gentleness—he'd never once shown it to me.

I watched them walk away, their figures disappearing down the corridor.

My phone buzzed.

A voice message from Arabella.

"Mommy, is Daddy coming to my graduation? I want to take a picture with him!"

My eyes stung with heat.

I knew what his answer would be. But I sent the message anyway.

"Arabella's kindergarten graduation is this afternoon. Can you make it? It's also her birthday."

Through the glass wall of the lounge, I watched him glance at his phone.

He read it. Didn't reply. Just slipped the phone back into his pocket and kept talking to Sheena.

I closed my eyes.

Of course. If he didn't love me, why would he love our daughter?

Dorian, you'll be free soon.

Arabella sat in the front row in her little graduation dress, but she kept turning around to look.

"Mommy, is Daddy here?"

I crouched down, trying to keep my voice casual. "Daddy's really busy with work. He couldn't get away."

Disappointment flickered across her face.

But she quickly forced a smile. "That's okay! Having Mommy here is enough!"

Six years old, and already learning to protect my feelings.

I pulled her into my arms, hating myself for the lie.

After the ceremony, Arabella received the "Best Little Helper" award. She clutched the trophy tight, eyes shining. "Mommy! I want to show this to Daddy! I want him to know I'm awesome too!"

My heart clenched. All this time, she'd been trying to earn her father's approval.

I was about to take her home when my phone lit up.

A reply from Dorian.

One word: "Okay."

I stared at the screen, barely believing my eyes.

"Mommy? What's wrong?" Arabella looked up at me.

I knelt down, struggling to contain my excitement. "Baby, Daddy says he's coming home to celebrate your birthday."

"Really?!" Her eyes went wide, the trophy nearly slipping from her hands. "Daddy's really coming?!"

In six years, this was the first time Dorian had agreed to celebrate her birthday.

I threw myself into the preparations.

In the kitchen, I was a whirlwind—Dorian's favorite pan-seared steak with black pepper sauce, Arabella's beloved creamy mushroom pasta, and the strawberry cake I'd ordered weeks ago.

Arabella changed into her favorite pink tulle dress and asked me to braid her hair into two pigtails.

Then she sat by the door, trophy in her arms, waiting.

She waited and waited. The excitement faded to exhaustion. Hope dimmed to disappointment.

I called five times. No answer.

I sent three messages. All ignored.

"Mommy…" Arabella's voice was barely a whisper. "Is Daddy working late again?"

"It's okay, Mommy." She looked up, her eyes red-rimmed, but she managed a wobbly smile. "Daddy's really busy. I know. Maybe we can celebrate together next time."

I crouched down, my throat so tight I couldn't speak.

"Let's have cake!" She grabbed a party hat from the couch and handed it to me, ever the good girl. "Mommy, can you put this on me?"

I reached for the hat—and my phone buzzed with a notification.

Local entertainment news.

The headline screamed:

"Seren City's Most Eligible Bachelor Spotted with Mystery Woman"