Dear Reader, Thank you for choosing to read my work. Please note that there may be some grammatical errors in some parts. I am continually working to improve my writing, and I appreciate your patience and understanding. I hope these minor mistakes do not detract from your enjoyment of the story. Happy reading!
Elena's POV I woke up feeling sore all over, my eyes still closed, unwilling to face another day in this cage. Exhaling, I massaged my neck before standing up and heading into the bathroom.It's been a week since my pretend marriage with Alex, and it's been hell. I knew I would regret my decisions one way or another, but I never thought it would be this soon.Every day was a different problem. Sometimes, I wish that I wouldn't wake up. It was either a function or a charity event or something I didn't even know that rich people do and now I was under an obligation by the contract not to leave on my own will.I sighed, standing in front of the mirror which revealed a figure I couldn't unrecognize. I could barely recognise myself. Tired, swollen black eyes with no sense of confidence. I look no different from when I was in the hotel. I ran my hand in my hair trying to regain some sense of confidence if I had one. You signed the contract, Elena; you agreed to this It didn't matter how
“ Can I hear two thousand?” I shifted on my seat, my heart pounding loudly in my chest drowning out everything else.Why was my house on display? Didn't Pete sell it to some agency? That shouldn't be my focus now but those questions clouded my thoughts.My nails dug into my skin as I tightened my fist. I had no money to compete with these rich dogs that screamed of arrogance.All I could do was watch helplessly as my house was auctioned off. UnlessI glanced at Alex, who looked uninterested in what was going on. I bit my lower lips mustering up the courage before my last chance slipped away. “ Alex,” I tugged at his arm.He shifted his gaze to me and I gulped. He was my only option if I wanted to get my house back. This was my chance and I wouldn't waste it“ Alex, can you bid for this house, it's very important to me” he didn't say anything but just stared at me as the bidding fee got higher. “ Please”, my voice raised impatiently.“ I don't waste money on unimportant things,” he
Elena POV She picked up the phone with excitement clearly showing on her face as her eyes sparkled.“ Oh I forgot! Alex, you and Elena, dear,” she took my hand, “will be going on a vacation to Sweden.” her excitement bubbling more “ I have reserved a nice place for you guys to bond”I didn't know what to feel. I just looked at Alex, hoping he would refuse this, and he didn't fail.“ Nana, no one's going anywhere “ he said “ I am busy and I still have to”“ I have cancelled all your appointments and your schedules, so you have no excuse,” she interrupted. “ But Nana”“ No buts, you're going whether you like it or not,” she demanded, shooting him a death glare “Wonder why she fell in love with you” she teased“ Just as you fell in love with Grandpa”, he shot back, making her stand, dragging his ears, and cursing him.I just smiled, looking down. There was something about their relationship I wish I had. The love they shared for each other was undeniable and It made me feel a little b
Elena POV I stepped back, not wanting him close. My back hit the wall behind me, letting him close the distance between us, leaving us in a breath of space.“ Then what are you doing walking in front of my study at this time of the night” he leaned in, his voice dropped to a murmur, low and chilling.A jolt of pain shot through my body as my legs stepped on the broken vase, a gasp escaping my lips “ Ouch,” I hissed, glancing down to see blood beginning to pool beneath my bare foot.Alex's gaze shifted instantly, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the blood. In one swift move, he dropped his cold demeanour, replacing it with concern.“ You're bleeding” he muttered, his voice laced with concern. Without a word, he scooped me up in a bridal style.“I'm fine” I protested, my cheeks flushing at the sudden closeness. Forgetting that I was in the hands of someone who was threatening to kill someone a while ago. But he ignored me, walking towards our room.He lay me on the bed gently, grabbi
Elena POV Both of our attention turned to where the sound came from. It turns out it was just a maid being reckless. Alex, on the other hand, didn't want to leave me alone. He just stood there with his back facing me. After several failed attempts to convince him, I gave upI decided to bathe with him there, making it the most uncomfortable and the longest bath I’d ever had.After bathing he scooped me up as usual, in a bridal style, then carried me to the dresser. “ I can walk, you know” I insisted.“ And I can see that” he replied teasingly, setting me on the chair to face the mirror. I thought he was going to leave me now but he took the hair dryer and began using it on my hair.His hand tangled with my hair making me flench a little. I could hear my heartbeat reverberating in my ear, quickening with every second.As much as I liked this treatment it wasn't something I was used to. Pete never had time to do these things or even think of doing them.This attention, this care, none
Elena's POV Would I call what I was feeling jealous? No. I refuse to feel that way even though it was disappointing to know that he had a family. Nana wasn't aware of it as far as I'm concerned, or was she? For the past two weeks, I had tried my best to keep my distance, reminding myself that what I had felt before was just an illusion. It was a fleeting mistake that I thought there were men like him, after all, who had hearts behind those cold demeanours. But I was wrong. What if I was the one in her position? I wouldn't like it. With everything I had gone through, I felt and understood her pain. Even though I knew nothing about their relationship, that night when I overheard him talking to someone threateningly, it kept playing on my mind. Maybe she was the other one at the end of the call. Maybe not. Either way, I shouldn't care. As a matter of fact, I shouldn't be giving a shit about his private life. Keep it low and simple. My work here was simple: to only be his
Elena's POV " Wha…what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Nick Jackson, my good old friend from high school. I never thought I'd see anyone from high school as I shut everyone out of my life.I totally disconnected myself from the outside world., My life was just based on going to work, coming back home, eating, sleeping, and then doing it all again.There was nothing special about my life back then. Well…not until you know who came. I guess because of the depressed state I was in, I took my illusions way beyond making me blind to reality.Nick and I weren't very close back at school, but we had a history. He was always this kind of nerdy guy in class, and I was his seat partner.But why was he here with someone like Alex? Nick's eyes darted nervously, his glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose like they always do back in school.He pushed them back up, smiling. Alex stood there, radiating confidence. I could feel his gaze on me but I didn't care.“
Elena POV Alex just sat there being pestered by Catherine who was acting all clingy, practically glued to Alex’s side like a starved leech.I bit my lower lips gulping down my drink. Whatever was the relationship with them didn't bother me.I don't care. If he wants not to talk to me I won't force it. I have apologised and he's still proving arrogance.But I know I was lying to myself. I cursed under my breath.Still holding my glass, I turned back to the bar, pressing the rim to my lips. Just what I needed.When I dared to glance back, his eyes were already on me.Our gazes met—sharp and unreadable. His jaw was tight, unreadable. I quickly averted my gaze as I gulped the last of my drink and slid off the stool.I needed air away from all this drama after all it wasn't my style.The warm night air kissed my skin as I stepped onto the balcony. The city sparkled below, a sea of golden lights and distant noise. A gentle breeze lifted the loose strands of my hair, brushing them across
Elena POV Morning came and soon everyone and everywhere was busy because for some reason Nana wanted to make Nick's birthday a big one to remember.I woke up to see a dress hanging up on the hanger beside the dresser. The sunlight shining in from the window glowed on the ocean blue dress as it sparkled. The top was as bright as the blue sky traced down to the bottom which was deeper than the top and layers of sparkling beads were designed on it.It looked so gorgeous that even words can't describe its beauty. I stared at it a little longer before showering and wore it on with the help of a maid. My hair tucked up with little strands hanging around.She took a suitable necklace to wear on it but I stopped her from taking out the silver pendant to put on.I felt like it would go well with the dress and then for my heels I took silver heels not too flashy but just right.After taking a few minutes to adore myself I stepped out of my room with two bags in my hand silently preparing mys
Elena POV “Good morning,” I said, suddenly feeling shy under her motherly gaze. There was a kindness in her eyes that I hadn’t felt in a while.“You’re early,” she smiled, brushing imaginary dust off my shoulder. “I love early birds.”The warmth inside her home was inviting. A faint floral scent hung in the air—roses and vanilla, maybe—and the furniture was neat but lived-in. Nothing pretentious. Just home.“Come,” she said, waving me into the kitchen. “I was just about to make us something. Pancakes? Or do you prefer something else?”“Pancakes are fine,” I smiled, settling onto one of the stools.She tied her apron, humming softly to herself as she worked. The sizzle of the batter hitting the pan made everything feel…normal. Comforting.She wasn't what I thought she would be. Judging by her demeanor I thought she would be the extravagant type but she is making breakfast for her and I.Suddenly, there I heard a tiny voice echo throughout the room. My smile sdes and I turned to see a
Elena POV The sound of a door slamming—hard. Followed by the heavy stomp of boots against the floorboards.I froze in place.After a few seconds I slowly turned, the fridge still open, my heart on the edge of my throat as I tried as much as possible to control it.Alex stood there disheveled. He was slightly sweaty with his shirt half-unbuttoned. His hair was tousled like he'd been running his hands through it for hours. From here I could smell the strong smell of expensive alcohol and something else—bitterness, maybe.His eyes locked on mine, sharp and dark and... cold.He took a slow step forward. “What the hell do you think you're doing?”My throat dries instantly. “I—uh—I was just getting something to eat. I didn’t mean—”“I’m not talking about the damn food,” he snapped.I shrank back slightly, confusion and fear knotting in my chest. “Then what—”“ Jessica,” he bit out. “You went out with her today.”Oh. So he knew.“She asked me,” I said quickly, heart hammering. “I didn’t pl
Elena POV I sucked in a breath, stunned at her effortless defense. Catherine’s face reddened, her fingers curling into fists at her sides.For a moment, it looked like she might argue, but then Alex’s mother delivered the final blow.“Now, if you’ll excuse us, my daughter-in-law and I have lunch to attend.”Catherine’s mouth opened, then snapped shut. She couldn’t argue with that without making a bigger fool of herself.Fuming, she turned on her heel and stormed off, her heels clicking against the marble floor.Looking at her angry back disappearing I couldn't help but smirk. This was the first time in a while that someone had defended me or stood up for me like that.I couldn't help but not think about my mom, in a way she hesibitrd the same character or maybe it's because I just missed her this much.It's been a long time since I visited her grave. Maybe sometime I'll drop by to check how she is doing.Alex’s mother turned to me, her expression softer now. “Shall we?” she asked, a
Elena POV I knew she must have heard the fight or probably seen it on the news on how I disgraced her son.But how embarrassing it would be if she ever knew the reason behind the fuse was my misunderstanding of her.Oh God!She softly raised my head up to look at her. “He loved you, you know,” she continued, her voice taking on a wistful tone. “That’s why it hurt him so much.”A sharp pang shot through my chest, and I looked away, unable to hold her gaze any longer. “I didn’t mean to hurt him,” I whispered.She sighed, letting go of my hand. “I know, dear. Sometimes, life doesn’t give us choices.”There was something in her tone—something deeper, something unsaid. Like she wasn’t just talking about me and Alex but about herself too. I glanced at her, but she was already looking away, her fingers tracing the petals of a nearby rose.“I never wanted to leave Alex and Nick,” she said suddenly, and I froze. “They were my world. But I had no choice.”I looked at her then, truly looked at
Elena POV “ What?…wasn't that what you wanted?” he snapped. “ You didn't care about any of this and you wanted your freedom so bad that you went on to humiliate and insult my pride.”“ That's not true, Alex” my voice came out in a choking whisper. “You don't have to wait any longer. I'll sort everything out and once that happens you'll get the freedom you so crave for.” He paused before continuing almost immediately.“ Of course with your payment in full and profit included”His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “That’s not true,” I repeated, my voice breaking. I felt the urge arising to explain things to him. To tell him I really didn't mean for any of this to happen but it was obvious enough that I really had hurt him“I cared, Alex. I still care.”He laughed again, but there was no humor in it. “ Well then, you have a funny way of showing it.”I took a step closer, desperate to make him understand. “I was scared, okay? I didn’
Elena POV Nick “I thought you had left?” I whispered while walking to him.“ Left? Well I was supposed to buy them. His majesty had important documents to sort out and I had to help even though I'm not his assistant. He really needs one don't you think?” He smirked at me and I pulled him away from the door.“ Com’on I'm hungry, wanna eat?” Without allowing him to respond, I dragged him all the way down to the kitchen. Once I was in the kitchen I let out a breath that I was holding all the way through. Some part of me thanked God it wasn't Alex because what could I have done.How could I have reacted? What could I have said?I opened the refrigerator trying to get something to fix myself and Nick when he suddenly said, “ don't you think you should also fix some for Alex he seems to want it more than I do”I took a bottle of orange juice and a half eaten cake out of the fridge turning to him with a glare. “ When you're done making me seem like a bad person, make sure to cut me some
Elena POV “ She’s our mother,”he said quietly, his voice almost too soft to hear.Another bombshell. I froze.“What?”Nick’s jaw tightened, and for the first time, he looked genuinely uncomfortable. “The woman you saw with Alex. She’s not his wife. She’s our mother.”My brain couldn’t process the words. It felt like the floor had been ripped out from under me.“Wait… what?”Nick sighed, running a hand down his face. “I was going to tell you but I didn't think it was necessary at that point but now I feel like you should know since it's going to affect something dear to you.”I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. “You’re serious?”“Yeah,” he said. “Dead serious.”For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. My mind was racing, trying to piece everything together, but it wasn’t making sense.Alex had told me that she was dead so how was is it possible that she was alive and healthy? This all doesn't make sense.“After you disappeared, I had no choice but to go back to the Donovan