FORBIDDEN AFFAIRS: MY HUSBAND'S BROTHER

Elara's POV

I sucked in a shaky breath, my knuckles whitening as I grabbed a fistful of my silk dress, my hands trembled, my eyes aching as tears begged to roll down my face. I took another breath, lifting my finger and wiping the tears away. Thank God for water proof make-up.

The door creaked open and immediately, I composed myself, the pain on my face fixing itself to a smile. Her harsh perfume hit me first and then her sweet voice. “ Elara!! You look so stunning.” She complimented rushing to me, her heels clicking against the floor. Her eyes shone bright as though she was the one getting engaged. “ I'm sure Harry wouldn't be able to keep his eyes off you.”

A smile grazed my lips.

It wasn't that visible but.

It was there.

“ Are you okay dear?” She obviously didn't care, so I didn't see the need to tell her how I felt. “ I hope you're not planning on changing your mind?”

Yes I was.

But I didn't say that.

“ You know what'll happen if you don't get married to Harry right?” I knew, and it made my stomach contort with a twist. “ Your father would never forgive you. This is your only chance to prove your worth to him and if you fail, I won't be bothered to help you.” She finished and my throat bobbled. I wasn't surprised but I wished she'd asked me how I felt, I wouldn't have told her but she'd have at least asked.

The pain tried to slip through but I stopped it, forming a smile. Like the one I usually did in front of the cameras and paparazzi. “ I'm fine Mum but I'm not going to cancel the engagement. Besides, I've told you.” I rubbed my necklace, staring into space. “ I love Harry and I'm not going to leave him for anyone else.”

She smiled and braced my shoulders. “ That's my girl!” She shook me gently. “ Anyways. Finish up so you can go talk to the guests and also don't keep Harry waiting for so long. He's looking for you.” She said and planted a kiss on my forehead, then walked out of the room leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I glanced at the mirror and the woman who stared back at me wasn't someone whom I recognised. She was beautiful, yes. But was she happy?

No. I didn’t need to dwell on my happiness. I shook my head, taking another heavy breath.

Father's happiness was supposed to be my top priority. ‘Once he's happy then I am happy.’ My subconscious said and I forced myself to believe that.

With my chin lifted, I stood and wiped invisible wrinkles from my dress. “ I can do this.” I whispered, as I made my way out the room.

I reached the stairs, glimmering lights welcomed me, casting a sharp glow on my blue evening dress, eyes turned my way, all in shock and admiration but father didn't glance at me. Not even once and it made something sharp cut through my chest. Maybe he was just too engrossed in the conversation. Yeah, that's it. I mumbled, a vain attempt to console my already crumbling facade.

I arrived at the bottom of the stairs and Harrison welcomed me with a charming smile that could make any woman swoon. He took my hands and planted a soft kiss on the back of my palm. A kiss was something that was meant to set butterflies free in my stomach or ignite a flame inside me but all I felt was a hard twist in my stomach but I didn't dare show it, not when I knew the consequences.

His lashes lifted, his eyes fixed on mine. “ You look ravishing.” He commented, his voice low and my lips curved in a smile.

“ You look good too.” I replied and he hooked his hand with mine and pulled me into the crowd. I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt, I said a lot of thank you’s and did much more but father once again didn't look at me. He just showed off Josh— his amazing son— to his friends at his own daughter's engagement party.

It was fine. I wasn't that important anyway.

“ Mrs Elara! Mrs Elara!” I snapped out of my haze and fixed my gaze on the beautiful woman before me, she looked my age but a bit older but she was gorgeous. Harrison's grip around my arm tightened as he pulled close and whispered some words in my ears.

“ Get a grip of yourself and stop trying to embarrass me.”

“ I'm sorry,”

“ Don't apologize to me and answer her question.”

I blinked and faced the woman once again, ignoring the pain which brewed from his tight grasp. “ I'm sorry, I was quite lost. What did you say?”

“ It's alright, I too was overwhelmed at my engagement party,” I smiled but I knew being overwhelmed wasn’t what I felt. “ And now I'm getting married and I need you to plan my wedding.” She chimed, her eyes glimmering with such excitement, I almost felt jealous.

“ Congratulations! Of course I'll plan your wedding.”

“ Are you sure it isn't too much, since you're getting married.”

“ No it isn't, I'll do it.” I smiled and she waved me off. Harrison scoffed but I ignored it.

Cleo approached us, bearing a very slutty purple dress. Her eyes shone with lust, her gaze fixed on Harrison whom I could tell from his gaze was visibly turned on. The sight made disgust settle in my stomach.

She reached us and shook Harrison's hand with a seductive smile. “ Hey baby, I missed you.” She mumbled, her fingers skimming across his palm to his arm to his chest.

“ I missed you too.” He whispered with the same intensity.

I took that as my cue to leave. With my head held high and a smile on my face. I spoke. “ I'll leave you both to catch up. I need to go catch my breath.” Harrison didn't even wait, he freed me from his grasp and walked away with Cleo, the cold air rushing in, filling the space which he once held.

My lips parted, a weak sigh sliding through but I didn't say a single word.

My feet carried me to the garden, the music seemed to fade and the people seemed to disappear, leaving me in my own world. My lips curved upwards as I found comfort with the flowers.

I reached for a rose and plucked it. Its beautiful scent flooded my nostrils, wrapping around me like a warm blanket. The world was peaceful for the first time in so long and I badly wanted to enjoy it.

The cold wind brushed my skin. But something colder pressed against my neck, a knife. And a huge hand clamped my lips, shutting me up. “ You're coming with us.” The manly voice spoke, the air thickened with danger as he picked me from the ground.

For some reason, I didn't struggle. I didn't fight.

Probably because I wanted some escape from this sad and miserable world of mine. But yet, I couldn't leave my father, not like this. He'll be burdened if he has to find me and I couldn't do that, not when we were already making progress. So slowly, I began to struggle. Kicking, biting but I'm sure it felt like paper, cause he didn't flinch.

My nails scraped his skin and I bit even harder but nothing worked, he continued walking until we reached a car and he threw me inside. My back smashing against the metal of the vehicle, knocking the breath right out my lungs, something warm slid down my lips— blood— as my face crashed against the cold floor.

The door was rolled shut and the world around seemed to blur.

I tried to move but then fresh hands grabbed my arms and pinned them behind my back, pressing me harder against the ground “ Somebody Help me, Please, anybody!!” I cried but they kicked my stomach, making blood roll down my face.

“ Shut up bitch!” One of them snarled, another walked in front of me and tugged my neck up, his grip firm around my hair.

“ Such a stupid inconsiderate brat. Your stupid politician if a father ruined my family's life and I'm going to ruin yours. I'm sure he loves his daughter and imagine how he'll feel when he finds out we touched his precious angel.” His tongue rolled over his lower lip, glistening it with saliva.

My eyes glistened but yet. I spoke fiercely. “ My father isn't stupid! Don't you dare say that!” My voice hoarse, my throat dry but yet I persevered. Maybe, Harry would come save me or maybe he wouldn't…

They laughed mockingly and the one holding my hair let me go, my hair dropping to the ground as he walked towards the front of the car. “ Come on Simon, let's get moving.” He ordered but the car didn't move. He spoke again but once again, the car remained stable and silence came from the other side. The guys who were laughing kept shut, the smiles vanishing from their faces.

He mumbled a curse and walked to the door about to open it when it reeled open and the bright light from the outside rushed in. The man was sent flying, his back crashing just like I did. “ You made a huge mistake touching her.” The person said, sandalwood filling my nostrils. My head tilted in his direction.

That voice.

That scent.

Those beautiful eyes.

All belonged to one person and his name. Was Cassian Ivanov. The very man I badly wanted to forget.