Ch-3

ELARA’S POV

“Arghhh!” I screamed and crumbled to the floor, the shards biting into my skin as I fell to my knees.

I wept like my soul had splintered. How did I end up here? Why did I love a man who saw me as a placeholder?

Three years of loyalty, and I meant nothing to him. I had loved him fiercely, blindly, and I had destroyed the most important relationship in my life to be with him….my grandfather’s.

My Grandpa had warned me. He had begged me not to marry Adrian. As if he knew he was a douchebag. But I chose love. Or what I thought was love.

I let everything go for Adrian, including the future I had been groomed for. I was supposed to take over my family’s empire. I was trained, raised, and prepared. But I threw it all away for a man who couldn’t even look me in the eyes and apologize.

Maybe I should have known I never meant anything to him when he turned me down the first time.

I remember clearly our first meeting.

It was back when we were in university, Adrian was that guy. The golden boy. Confident, intelligent, and magnetic. I had watched him from afar, nursing a quiet crush that turned into obsession. Just before graduation, I worked up the courage to confess my feelings.

But he turned me down, saying he had someone else.

Then suddenly, after one year, he called me out of nowhere, and asked to meet.

And at the restaurant, he didn’t waste time with small talk. He asked me to marry him. Just… “Will you marry me?”

I should have questioned it. I should have asked why. But I didn’t. Because I was foolish enough to think love had come back for me. I whispered yes, like I was being handed a fairy tale.

Now, surrounded by broken glass and a shattered soul, I reached for my phone with a trembling hand. There was only one man who would answer, even after everything I’d done.

My Grandpa.

I scrolled through my contacts and dialed. He picked up after the second ring. His breathing was quiet on the other side of the phone.

“Grandpa,” I choked, my voice barely a whisper. “I want to come home.”

For a moment, he was quiet. But his silence spoke volumes.

“You disobeyed me, Elara.” His stern voice cut through the line.

“I’m sorry Grandpa….” I sobbed.

“You married the very man I warned you about.” He scolded.

“I wish I had listened to you. Please forgive me...”

“I will forgive you, and you can return back home only on one condition….”

I froze.

“Conditions?” I whispered.

I quietly sat as he explained to me what the condition to me. His tone was stern and firm as he spoke, leaving me no room for negotiations.

I stared at the wall for a long time, as his words replayed in my head. Was I willing to pay the price? Was it too late to fix the ruin I made of my life?

“Grandpa,” I choked out.

“Yes?”

“…I accept the condition. I will do it..”

“Are you sure?” I asked again, his voice calmer now.

“Yes, Grandpa. I am.”

*************

It was already evening, and I was sitting in the hall, waiting for Adrian to return from work. Not because I missed him. And certainly not because I had anything left to say.

But because I wanted him to see my face when I handed him the ending he never thought I had the strength to write.

When the door screeched open, Adrian walked in like he always did with shoulders high, his presence was always loud, and his ego was taller than the roof.

He dropped his car keys on the console and adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. He didn’t bother to check if I was okay. He was acting like nothing at all had happened before he left for work.

I didn't say anything. I was just busy with my phone also giving him the treatment he was giving.

“Elara,” he said after a while, nodding at me briefly.

I didn’t answer. I just stared at him, with a blank expression, the same way he looked at me this morning when I had tears in my eyes and all he gave was silence.

He looked at me for a second longer, like he was expecting something. Possibly a response or smile at him the way I usually do even when he offends me. The audacity to expect a warm welcome after such betrayal?

When I gave him nothing, he frowned slightly and turned his back.

“Tell the cook I want my food ready in ten minutes,” he said, already climbing the stairs to his room.

I didn’t reply.

Ten minutes later, he came back down, dressed in casual shorts and a black tee, rubbing his stomach and humming to himself like the world was his. I don't blame him. I rolled my eyes and continued pressing my phone.

He walked over to the dining table where I had perfectly set everything…spoons, napkins, sparkling dishes with golden covers. It was the usual royal spread.

He pulled out a chair and sat, opened the first dish… then paused.

There was nothing on the plate. He moved to the next one, looking confused yet there was nothing.

“What the hell….” he muttered. I wanted to laugh at his expression but it would mess up everything.

Finally, his eyes landed on the neatly folded envelope placed on his plate.

“Elara!” he barked.

I leaned on the head of the couch that I was sitting on, with my arms folded. “What?” I asked, acting clueless about what he was talking about.

“What the hell is this? I asked for food, not some damn envelope. Are you dumb?”

A smile tugged at my lips. I was already used to his harsh words. So, I didn't pay attention to the mean words.

“That’s your dinner,” I replied sweetly. “I hope you enjoy it.”

He stood up abruptly, his chair making a loud sound as it screeched across the tiled floor. “Are you playing games with me now? After all the stress I’ve had today?”

“Do you think I have time for games?,” I said. “Just open it.”

Frowning, he picked up the envelope and roughly tore it open before glancing through the content.

“A Divorce letter?” he scoffed.

He looked at me like I had lost my mind. “What the hell is this? Some stupid prank? If yes, then I’m not in the mood. Bring me my damn food.”

“I’m not joking, Adrian,” I said calmly. “I want a divorce.”

He blinked. And then let out an evil laughed. “A divorce? From me? You want a divorce from me?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, now you’ve gone completely mad,” he said, slamming the envelope back on the table. “Because I ignored your little emotional outburst earlier today? Grow up, Elara. Life is not some fairytale where I worship your feelings. Bring my food.”

“I said I want a divorce, Adrian!” I shouted, walking forward. “This… whatever this is between us… It’s not a marriage! It’s a prison. You don’t love me. You don’t respect me. You don’t even look at me unless it’s convenient for you. Your mind and soul are with Celine so go be with her.”

“You think I’m the only problem here?” he snapped. “Do you think you’re some saint? You’re overly sensitive. You cry over every damn thing. You always want more, more, more! I gave you a ring, didn’t I? I married you!”

“You married me for reasons, to be someone else!” I shouted. “You still want her! You never loved me! It was just… convenient. I can't live in someone else’s shadow.”

“You can't even be her. Moreover, you begged to be in my life!” he growled. “You chased me. You confessed to me. You threw yourself at me like a damn fan girl! Don’t change the story now.”

“I was young and in love,” I said, with my voice trembling. “But even fools grow up. And I’ve grown, Adrian. I’ve grown enough to know when I’m being emotionally abused.”

“Abused? Oh please,” he laughed darkly. “You should be thanking me for even choosing you. Do you know how many women would kill to be in your position?”

“Then let one of them have it!” I yelled. “I’m done!”

He stared at me for a long moment, then slowly shook his head. “You really think you’re walking out of here with your head high, huh?”

“I don’t care how I walk out, Adrian. I just want out.”

He moved closer, with his voice low and dangerous. “Fine. You want out? Then don’t expect a dime from me. I’ll sign your little papers, but you’re leaving with nothing.”

“I didn’t ask for your money,” I whispered. “I never did.”

He grabbed a pen from the drawer nearby, signed the divorce papers with an exaggerated flourish, and threw them at my feet like they were garbage.

“There. Signed. Now get out of my sight.”

I bent slowly and picked them up, smoothing the creases. I checked the time on my phone.

“Tomorrow morning, I’ll leave.”

“No,” he growled.

My head snapped up. “What?”

“You want to leave?” he said, with his voice rising. “Then leave now. Right this instant. We are no longer married.”

“Adrian…”

He turned and shouted toward the hallway. “Martha! Rose! Come here, now!”

Two of the maids rushed in, with their eyes wide with confusion.

“Pack all her things,” he commanded. “Everything. Throw them out. I want her gone before midnight.”

The maids looked at me, hesitantly.

“NOW!” he roared.

I felt my heart pounding in my chest. My palms went cold, and my legs suddenly felt weak.

He wasn’t bluffing. He really meant to throw me out in the middle of the night. But even as fear crept into my chest, I didn't beg him. He had already done the worst. Because freedom no matter how painful was still freedom.

He looked at me one last time, with his eyes full of rage and mockery.

“I hope you enjoy the cold night, Elara. Because after tonight… you’re nothing.”

And with that, he turned and walked away.