17

(MALL)

The mall stood tall and imposing, its glass exterior reflecting the fading glow of the evening sky. Lights shimmered across its wide structure, making it look alive as people moved in and out of its grand entrance. It was one of the most luxurious spaces in the city, a place where elegance and wealth intertwined effortlessly.

Alex pulled his car smoothly to a stop right at the front.

The engine went silent with a soft click.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The air inside the car felt so heavy.

Alex leaned back slightly in his seat, his fingers resting loosely on the steering wheel before his gaze shifted to the side.

He looked at Elara.

She sat there quietly, her eyes fixed ahead, but it was clear she wasn’t really seeing anything. Her expression was distant, almost hollow, like her thoughts had wandered somewhere far beyond the present moment.

There was something off. And Alex noticed it immediately.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, studying her.

“What’s wrong now?” he asked, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.

But no response came from her.

Elara blinked once, as though snapping out of whatever thoughts had held her captive. Without saying a word, she reached for the door handle, clearly intending to step out and end the conversation before it even began.

But Alex was faster.

His hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly.

The sudden contact stopped her.

She turned sharply, her gaze colliding with his.

For a second—just a second—everything stilled.

Alex stared into her eyes.

His breath hitched slightly, almost imperceptibly. His lips parted just a little as his heartbeat picked up speed, thudding louder than it should. There was something in her eyes—something fragile, something broken—and it pulled at him in a way he didn’t quite understand.

It unsettled him. It made his heart beat.

It shouldn’t matter to him.

None of this should matter to him.

Yet it did.

“Remember,” Elara said suddenly, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade, “there’s nothing but a contract marriage between us. And we both agreed to mind our business.”

The words were cold.

Alex’s fingers loosened instantly.

He dropped her hand as though her words had burned him.

Something flickered across his face—too quick to fully form, too subtle to be named—but it was there.

“You need your smile today,” he said after a brief pause, his tone quieter now, controlled. “My grandmother shouldn’t notice anything, please.”

Elara didn’t respond.

She simply turned and pushed the door open.

Cool evening air rushed in as she stepped out of the car, her movements quick, almost as if she needed distance from him, from the conversation, from everything.

Alex remained seated for a moment longer.

Then he exhaled letting out a slow, heavy sigh.

His fingers drummed lightly against the steering wheel as his gaze lingered on the space she had just occupied.

Why was she like this all of a sudden?

Elara wasn’t like this.

She was sharp-tongued, defensive, sometimes outright annoying but never this quiet. Never this withdrawn.

And strangely he preferred her insults.

At least then, he knew where he stood.

Now?

Now she felt distant.

Untouchable in a way that had nothing to do with their agreement.

He shook his head slightly.

It wasn’t his problem.

Whatever was bothering her, she could deal with it herself.

That was the arrangement.

That was the boundary.

And he wasn’t about to cross it.

With that thought, he pushed the car door open and stepped out.

The door slammed shut behind him with a firm sound.

He slipped one hand into his pocket, his posture relaxed, composed every inch the powerful man people expected him to be.

From the outside, nothing about him revealed the brief storm that had passed through him just moments ago.

He walked after her.

Their steps aligned as they approached the grand entrance together.

The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.

“Welcome, sir.”

“Good evening, sir.”

“Welcome, boss.”

Voices rose around them, respectful, eager.

Employees straightened as they passed, their greetings polite and synchronized, their eyes filled with admiration and perhaps a touch of fear.

This wasn’t just any mall.

It was his mall.

One of many, yes but this one held a different kind of significance.

It was his favorite.

The one he personally oversaw.

The one that reflected his standards the most.

Every polished floor, every perfectly arranged store, every detail it all carried his touch.

And everyone here knew it.

Alex acknowledged them with a slight nod, his expression unreadable.

Then, without warning, he reached for Elara’s hand.

His fingers wrapped around hers.

Elara froze for a split second.

Her gaze dropped to their joined hands before slowly lifting to meet his face.

There was a question in her eyes.

A silent protest.

But Alex held her gaze ignoring her silent protests.

There it was again.

That sadness.

It sat in her eyes like a shadow, dimming everything else about her.

And it irritated him.

Not because it annoyed him but because he didn’t understand it.

And because some part of him, a part he refused to acknowledge, wanted to fix it.

Elara tried to pull her hand free.

But his grip tightened, not painfully just enough to stop her.

Alex cleared his throat, breaking the moment, and began walking again, gently pulling her along with him.

She glared at him.

But he acted like he didn’t notice.

Like it didn’t affect him.

Like none of this mattered.

“Sir, the outfits are ready.”

A worker approached them, stopping just ahead with a respectful bow.

Alex shifted his attention immediately.

“Lead me to the dressing room,” he said..

Back to business.

The worker nodded quickly and turned, guiding them through the polished corridors of the mall.

They passed several high-end stores, their glass displays glowing under soft lighting, showcasing luxury pieces that only a select few could afford.

Security personnel stood discreetly at corners.

Assistants moved quietly in the background.

Everything was in place.

Everything was controlled.

They reached a private section of the mall, far from the public eye.

The dressing room area.

A bodyguard stepped forward and opened the door for them.

Alex entered first, still holding Elara’s hand.

She followed, her silence louder than any argument.

The door shut behind them with a soft click.

“Sir...” One of the staff members began, but Alex cut her off without even looking.

“You can leave. We’ll take it from here.” There was no room for negotiation in his tone.

“Yes, sir.”

Within seconds, the room was empty.

Just the two of them with the thick uncomfortable silence.

The dressing room was spacious, elegant—mirrors lining the walls, soft lighting casting a warm glow, luxurious outfits arranged neatly on racks.

But none of it mattered.

Not right now.

Alex turned toward her.

And before she could react he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

“What the fuck?” Elara snapped instantly, her voice sharp with shock as she struggled against him.

Her hands pushed at his chest, her body tensing in resistance.

But Alex didn’t let go.

He held her tighter.

“Stay still,” he said, his voice low but firm. “You’re not alone.”

Elara froze for a fraction of a second.

Then she shoved him hard, breaking free from his hold.

“Alex, you won’t understand!” she yelled, her voice trembling now, the anger barely holding together the emotions beneath it.

“Then make me understand,” he replied calmly.

He's willing to know what the hell is going on in her mind.

“Why do you suddenly look sad? Why?” he pressed, his eyes fixed on her, refusing to let her escape this time, not physically, not emotionally.

“What’s bothering you?” He asked.

Elara let out a shaky breath.

Her lips trembled.

“Because I’m sad,” she said.

And just like that, the tears came into her eyes.

They slipped down her cheeks quietly at first, then faster, unstoppable.

Alex’s chest tightened at the sight.

Something about seeing her cry, It didn’t sit right with him.

“Talk to me,” he said, his voice softer now. “Tell me, I'd love to know.”

“We’re here to get dressed for our reception party, right?” she said, her words breaking between sobs.

Alex nodded slightly.

“But I have never imagined this day to be like this!” she cried, her voice cracking open completely. “I’m hurt...I’m deeply hurt!”

Her pain filled the room..

Alex dragged a chair closer to her.

“Sit down,” he said gently. “Take a deep breath.”

But she didn’t move.

“I have always imagined my married life with him,” she continued, shaking her head, “and no one else.”

The words hung in the air.

Alex was surprised and shocked at the same time.

She wiped her tears roughly, but more replaced them instantly.

“I can’t…” she choked. “I can’t even act like I’m happy anymore because every time...I’m reminded of him.”

Her voice broke completely now.

“He was my whole heart, my safe place” she whispered. “And I’ve only imagined…”

She pressed her hand against her chest as if trying to hold herself together.

“I have only imagined taking vows with him...walking down the aisle with him...having his child...spending the rest of my life with him…”

Her breathing became uneven.

“And he just dumped me,” she cried, her voice rising again. “Right when the imagination was about to become reality. He…”

Her words dissolved into sobs.

Alex stood there, listening, his heart aching.