Each step she took felt heavier, her chest tightening with the weight of emotions she had tried so hard to suppress. Betrayal, anger, sadness—it all swirled inside her like a storm ready to break loose. Charles’s pleas echoed in her ears, but they only fueled the fire burning inside her. How could he even dare to ask for forgiveness after what he had done?As she reached her car, she paused. Her hands shook as she fumbled for the keys in her bag. She pressed her palms against the car’s cool surface, trying to regain her composure, but the tears continued to spill. “I loved him,” she whispered to herself, her voice thick with emotion. “I really loved him.” And yet, here she was, standing on the edge of her marriage, staring at the wreckage of what once was.But love wasn’t enough. Not anymore.She wiped her tears and steeled herself, her resolve hardening. There was no turning back. The divorce papers were already in the works, and soon, she would be free. Free from the lies, free from
She staggered back, still clutching her cheek. “You don’t know who you’re messing with,” Nina hissed, her eyes burning with fury. “You think you’re something, don’t you? Just because you’re Damian’s little plaything.”Elara didn’t flinch. Her gaze remained steady as she took a step closer, her voice low but laced with warning. “I am Damian’s wife. And as long as you are under this roof, you will respect me and everyone who works here.”Nina’s lips twisted into a sneer, but she said nothing, her hand still pressed against the cheek that Elara had struck. She was clearly not used to being put in her place, especially not by someone she saw as beneath her. But Elara had no intention of letting her walk over her or anyone in her household. Not after everything she had been through.Before Nina could make another move, Anita, still trembling from the earlier altercation, stepped forward. “Ma’am,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “Please... I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”Elara turned
Elara finished her breakfast in deliberate calm, but her mind was racing. Nina’s venomous threats echoed in her ears, but she wasn’t rattled. She knew Nina wouldn’t stop, especially with her mother in the picture. She sighed, brushing off the tension. Damian would be back soon, and things needed to be in order before his return.Just as she was about to stand, Joy entered the sitting room once again, her face tight with worry.“Ma’am, there’s a call for you. It’s from Mrs. Blackwood.”Her grip tightened around her spoon. Of course. Nina’s mother. She should have expected this. “Put it through.”“Okay, ma’am.” Joy did as she was instructed.The moment she lifted the phone to her ear, Damian’s mother’s icy voice cut through the air.“Elara,” she began, her tone dripping with disdain, “what do you think you’re doing, throwing my daughter out of her own brother’s house? Are you crazy?”She didn’t miss a beat. “Your daughter crossed a line, Mrs. Blackwood. I won’t tolerate disrespect in my
“Are you not done?” Damian called. She could hear his voice from downstairs, reaching all the way to her room. She quickly took one last look at herself before running out of her room.“I’m here,” she said, gasping as soon as her eyes landed on Damian. He looked so handsome. Too hot. Ever since the time of her kidnapping and how Damian had handled the case, taking such good care of her, she’d started seeing him in a new light. Her coldness toward him was melting away. She wanted more. More than just being his contracted wife. She had feelings for him but chose to stay silent. She feared rejection—sometimes he could be so kind, but other times, he turned cold, as if he didn’t care.“You look beautiful,” he complimented. She blushed. Before, she might have thought he was lying.“Thank you,” she muttered. “You don’t look bad either.”Damian chuckled, though it felt forced. She stared at him, wondering what he might look like if he ever gave a real smile.“Shall we go?” he asked, holding
The drive home from the courthouse was quiet, but not uncomfortable. She stared out the window, her mind replaying Charles’s wife’s words, while Damian’s thumb absently stroked the back of her hand. The gesture was small, but it made her heart flutter.“You handled that well,” Damian said finally, breaking the silence.She turned to look at him. “Charles’s wife, you mean?”He nodded. “Most people wouldn’t have been so forgiving.”“I meant what I said.” She sighed, looking down at their joined hands. “Holding onto anger... it doesn’t help anyone.”His eyes studied her face with an intensity that made her cheeks warm. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, his phone buzzed. His expression hardened as he checked the message.“What is it?” she asked.“Mother is hosting a dinner tonight. She’s insisting we attend.” His jaw tightened. “To celebrate the closure of the case.”Elara’s stomach knotted. After the confrontation with Nina and that phone call with Serena, she knew this wasn’t a simp
The room fell into a stunned silence at Elara’s words. Even Nina’s exaggerated sobs momentarily stop as she processed the unexpected response.Damian’s eyes darted between his sister and his wife, his jaw clenched tight. The business associates shifted uncomfortably in their seats while Serena watched the scene unfold with barely concealed satisfaction.“What an awful thing to say,” Nina whimpered, but Elara noticed her mask slipping slightly. “See how cruel she is?”“Cruel?” Elara let out a short, bitter laugh. “Like sending me threatening notes?” She reached into her clutch and pulled out the invitation card, holding it up. “Or should we discuss your other schemes, sister-in-law?”Nina’s eyes widened fractionally at the sight of the note. Serena stepped forward quickly, her smile sharp. “Now, now, let’s not ruin dinner with such dramatics. Nina, darling, get up from the floor. You’re making a scene.”“But Mother—”“Up," Serena commanded, her voice firm yet smooth as silk. She turned
The room seemed to freeze. Elara felt as if all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. Jackson’s eyes widened in shock, while Nina and Serena exchanged knowing glances.“Vera!” Jackson hissed, but she ignored him.“Since childhood,” Vera continued, her voice rising, “we were together, and then suddenly he gets married to... to you?” She spat the last word like it was poison.Damian appeared at Elara side as if he had materialized from thin air. His presence was commanding, his expression dark. “Vera. I suggest you remember where you are.”“Remember?” Vera laughed. The sound was brittle and sharp. “Oh, I remember everything, Damian.”Jackson glanced at Damian, as if offering an apology. If he had known Vera could behave like this, he would never have let her follow him. Vera had been their childhood friend. No—his childhood friend. Because he was Damian’s only friend, Vera had been allowed into their circle. But Damian had always despised her. Vera had flitted around him, flirting a
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