Love Fades Without a Trace

Elena Frost has been by Aaron Reed's side for a decade. He goes from being a broke freshman who almost drops out of university to the proud CEO of Reed Corporation.

Everyone in Halston City knows Aaron loves Elena more than life itself. At one point, even Elena believed this.

Then, in the third year of her and Aaron's marriage, she discovers his mistress. He even has a one-year-old child with her.

Since Aaron doesn't appreciate the sacrifice Elena has made to be with him, she decides to take it all back.

…

Aaron sees Mia Wynn as a distraction and a form of entertainmen and heir child is an accident. Elena is the only person he truly treasures.

But when Elena disappears without a trace and takes half of his soul with her, he realizes one thing—he's the true loser in the relationship he's betrayed.

"Are you sure you want to reserve our funeral services for yourself, Ms. Frost?" a staff member asked.

Elena Frost nodded calmly. "Yes, I am. I can pay you double as long as you satisfy two of my requests. Firstly, I want the best cremation service you provide—ensure that my body is cremated so thoroughly that nothing remains but ashes.

"Secondly, I want my ashes to be scattered in the ocean immediately after the cremation. I'll leave the exact planning to you."

After filling a form and paying to ensure her death would be dealt with in two weeks, Elena left the funeral parlor.

As she drove past Reed Tower, a massive electronic screen displayed a live broadcast of an interview. It featured Aaron Reed, the dignified CEO of Reed Corporation.

"It's just a building—donating it isn't a big deal. Halston University is my and my wife's alma mater, and it's also where we met and fell in love. I won't hesitate to help my alma mater if necessary.

"I don't have any plans to develop the land in the east of the city. I want to keep it and personally design a dream home for my wife there.

"There's no special reason for venturing into the amusement business, either. My wife likes Ferris wheels, so I want to build her one that's unlike any other in the world.

"Acquiring a gaming company has to do with my wife, too. I want to develop a game that my wife likes and exclusively for female players. Even in virtual reality, I don't want any men to get close to my wife."

He mentioned his wife with every sentence. His deep affection for her made countless people stop to watch the interview.

"Mr. Reed treats his wife so well. I can't even imagine how happy she must be, falling asleep and waking up with such a man by her side," one of them murmured.

"Ha! Well, I can imagine it," another added. "Not only would I want to fall asleep and wake up in his arms, but I'd also want him to accompany me as I shopped and ate the day away. I would want him to think of me in everything he does and bring me everywhere he goes."

The spectators continued talking among themselves. As the interview continued, people from all walks of life couldn't help admiring Aaron's profound love for his wife. His words painted a romantic and doting picture.

Elena smiled mockingly and looked away from the screen. She'd come to this world a decade ago—she'd been on the brink of death after an accident, and the original host's wish had led her soul here.

The original host, also named Elena Frost, had grown up with Aaron. Due to several misunderstandings, they'd split up, leading to Aaron turning evil.

Despite later attaining success and becoming the CEO of a large company, his heart remained hollow. He'd ultimately taken his life the day before his company had become publicly listed.

Despite being reborn, the original Elena had still failed to help Aaron escape his fate. On her third chance, she'd summoned Elena's soul.

For the sake of survival, Elena had stuck by Aaron's side and done everything she could to help him. Over time, he'd gone from being a freshman in university with nothing to his name to the CEO of Reed Corporation.

Elena could've left this world and returned to her original one to be reunited with her family upon Reed Corporation's public listing. However, she hadn't done so because she'd fallen in love with Aaron after spending so much time with him.

She'd given up her chance to return home because she couldn't bear to part with a character in a novel. This was her second chance at life, and she'd decided to leave it in Aaron's hands. She'd willingly walked down the aisle with him.

She'd thought that as long as they loved each other, it didn't matter where they were. She'd thought he would love her as deeply as she loved him.

They'd dated for four years and been married for three. Throughout that time, Aaron had always acted like Elena was his one and only. He'd treated her like a princess and doted on her to no end.

He hadn't even mentioned having children throughout their marriage because he wanted to care for and cherish her to the best of his abilities. He claimed it was because he didn't want a third party to affect their relationship, even if said third party was their child.

He didn't want her to get pregnant, nor could he bear to have her be on birth control lest it affect her health. So, he'd used protection whenever they'd slept together instead of getting her to do it.

Yet it was also Aaron who'd started a family with another woman behind Elena's back. He and his mistress even had a son who'd just turned one.

"Do you know how surprised and overjoyed Aaron was upon finding out that I was pregnant? He picked out the baby's clothes, toys, and pram himself.

"He even gave me and the baby a villa with a huge garden and swimming pool so the baby could grow up in a good environment. It's under the baby's name, you know.

"I had some stretch marks on my belly after giving birth. I thought Aaron would scorn me because of them, but he kissed me from head to toe and told me they weren't ugly at all. He said they were the most beautiful marks a woman could have.

"Do you know how it feels to make out in the elevator and strip in the foyer? Do you know how it feels for him to stick it in me and do me as we head to the bedroom? Aaron says it's so satisfying and that it's not something you can give him. I'm the only one who makes him feel like that, Elena."

The texts came with explicit photos and videos of a couple doing the deed in various places and poses. Things had started long ago—the first photo had been taken when Mia Wynn had just started her internship at Reed Corporation.

There were even images and videos of her and Aaron doing the deed when she'd been heavily pregnant. It was clear that they'd been head over heels for each other.

Elena rubbed her reddened eyes and put her phone back in her bag. Then, she crossed the street to the coffee house opposite Reed Corporation.

A lawyer was already waiting there. When he saw her, he pulled out a stack of documents from his briefcase. "This is the divorce agreement that's been drafted per your request, Ms. Frost. There's also a proxy statement for donating your belongings to a women's and child's welfare organization…"

Elena took the papers and signed them without waiting for the lawyer to finish. "I'll leave the details of handling my belongings up to you. All I ask is that you ensure the divorce agreement is given to Aaron Reed in two weeks. I don't want my name to be associated with his even in death."

After taking care of everything, she paid and left the coffee house. As she crossed the square outside Reed Tower, a familiar figure came out from the building.

"Is that really you, darling?" Aaron's handsome face was filled with surprise. "Why did you come all the way here when it's so hot out? I thought my employees were seeing things when they told me they'd seen you earlier."