3. Personal assistant

Elara's POV 

As absurd as the idea felt, I wanted to believe that something was awakening in me. Because that movement earlier, it wasn't just a random chest issue. Something stirred in me. I grew up believing I didn't have a wolf. I was mocked for it, even; some told me I'd never find a mate.

Could it be that my wolf had been dormant these while and was waiting for a moment to awaken? Was this why the bond between Rowan and me was drifting apart?

I was so deep in my thoughts as I sat on the couch that I didn't notice Rowan walk down the stairs with Monalisa behind him. Only when they walked past me did I finally notice and I didn't bother to glance at them twice before making my way upstairs.

“Elara.” I heard Rowan call to me as I reached the top of the stairs and I paused. “We made quite a mess. Clean up the room for me, will ya?” He asked and I heard Monalisa snicker while I clenched my hands into fists.

I simply walked away without responding as I made my way to the room where they had just had sex. The room reeked of their cum and Rowan's betrayal but all I could do was get to work as he said. I changed the sheets, cleaned every trace of cum from the room, and started to pack my things.

I wouldn't be sleeping in this room anymore.

I made my way to the guest room downstairs and made it my new room, arranging my belongings there. As of now, it was safe to say I didn't have a husband.

I suddenly got a text from my father and I froze, staring at the screen with tears in my eyes. I didn't know what to expect as the notification stared back at me. With shaky hands, I clicked on the message and what I saw had tears rolling down my cheeks in torrents.

“Come to my office tomorrow, Elara. Don't say no and offend your father. I've missed you.”

I always feared that he would hate me because I chose Rowan over him. And now he was offering me a way back into his heart, how could I even say no? My heart was even lighter than before and it felt like I had finally found my silver lining at the end of the tunnel.

That night, Rowan returned drunk again but I didn't care if he slammed against the wall or fell into the toilet. He was a free man, he could do whatever he wanted. I spent most of the night thinking of how to face my father again, what to tell him, and how to apologize to him for my stupid mistakes.

When morning came, I heard a loud knock on my door and I moved to open it, yawning tiredly when I saw Rowan standing in front of me.

“What is this?” He asked and I raised a brow at him.

“What is what?” I asked, still feeling sleepy since I barely shut my eyes last week and he fumed with anger.

“Why are you here? Why did you move your things down here? You belong in my room. Move back before I return.” He growled and I crossed my hands over my chest.

“No,” I muttered and he looked at me in surprise. “You want me to lie on the same bed you fucked your mistress and made a mess on? Oh, hell no, Rowan. It doesn't change anything, I'm just downstairs.” I added nonchalantly, and he opened his mouth to say something, but eventually paused for a while.

“Do whatever you want. You made it easier to bring them in anyway.” He spat as he made his way back upstairs and I snickered, rolling my eyes.

Who would tell him that I didn't care anymore?

I waited for him to leave the house first, purposely not making breakfast to make him mad. He threw a tantrum about his empty stomach but I simply told him to order something on his way, even calling him a big baby. The look on his face was priceless.

After I was sure he was gone, I made my way out of the house, heading for my father's office. The last time I saw him or heard from him was about a year ago when Rowan proposed. And now I didn't know how to face him.

The car finally came to a stop at the company and I stepped out, sucking in a breath to calm my nerves. I made my way inside, ignoring the looks that I got as I walked to the elevator. When I got to the top floor, I was literally trembling but I forced myself to walk to my father's office before knocking.

“Come in.” I heard, and I gave myself a little pep talk in my head before pushing the door open to see my father in his chair. His face brightened when he saw me and my eyes got watery immediately as I stepped in.

“Elara.” He said as he got up from his chair and I made my way to him.

“Father,” I whispered, hugging him tightly and I just stood there in his arms, sobbing. He patted my back gently as he whispered gentle words to me and we stood there for minutes before pulling away.

“I'm so sorry, father, I know I was wrong—”

“I didn't call you back here to be sorry for anything. You're my daughter. You're young. You're bound to make mistakes.” He muttered as he led me to his couch and I sniffed, wiping my tears.

“But I was stupid,” I mumbled and he chuckled.

“Of course. And you'll learn from it.” He said, taking my hand. “I saw the news. Rowan has been…”

“With different women? Yes. He… he wanted an open marriage.” I confessed and he snorted in response. “I'm supposed to be his obedient little wife while he was free to do his shit everywhere. He even brought one of his mistresses to the house. I feel so foolish.” 

“Why are you putting up with such rubbish? You could have returned home. I was waiting for you.” He said and I let out a sigh, shaking my head.

“He has everything now, Father. Everything I own now belongs to him. I need to get them back. I need to make him suffer. Then I'll return.” I explained, and he stared at me for a while beforehand, letting out a resigned sigh.

“I'll be retiring soon, Elara. I want you to return to work. Be my personal assistant so that once I retire, you'll take over.”

This was my chance to escape the chains of being a useless housewife. Who was I to say no?

“Alright father.”

I was happy a little too early. Because the moment Rowan found out that I would be leaving the house in the morning just like him, knowing that I would be meeting other men, he immediately refused.

“I don't care if your father or if the goddess herself asked you to come work for her. You are not leaving this house. Understood? I married you to keep you in here and you will remain here. Got it?”