8

Elara didn’t think twice, she followed his instruction immediately. His tone had been too serious, too commanding to question. Still, she shot him a sharp glare as he turned her around to face him.

She swallowed, steadying herself, refusing to let him see the fear creeping into her chest. The thought of sex alone sent chills through her body, a quiet panic she couldn’t explain.

She didn’t even let Henry touch her, just kisses, maybe he got tired because he complains a lot about it. But she pleads with him to wait till their wedding night.

Fortunately for her, she's still intact because Henry didn't later marry her.

Her lips trembled slightly despite her effort to stay composed. She swallowed again, her eyes locking with his. They stood so close, their faces inches apart, the tension between them thick and suffocating.

Alex’s gaze dropped slowly to her lips. His own parted without him realizing it. A memory flashed back to him, the altar, the kiss they shared, the way he had completely lost control the moment their lips touched, how he was fucking hard.

Before he could stop himself, his hand lifted.

His fingers brushed against her lips.

Elara froze.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice low but strained. Her eyes flickered to his hand resting on her cheek before rising back to his face.

She licked her lips, feeling somehow.

Alex snapped back to reality, blinking as if he had just woken up. He shook his head and turned her around before pulling her closer instead, his arm wrapping firmly around her waist.

Elara immediately tried to push his hand away, discomfort flashing across her face.

But he ignored her and turned to the maids, his expression calm, controlled.

“Meet my wife, Elara Harrington,” he said.

His gaze shifted back to her.

“It’s Elara!” she snapped, but he cut her off.

“Elara Harrington,” he repeated, his voice sharper now. “Do not forget to give her the respect she deserves. Is that clear?”

“Yes, boss,” they answered in unison.

Only then did he remove his hand from her waist.

Elara swallowed hard, shooting him one last glare before turning and walking away without another word.

Alex stood there, watching her until she disappeared from sight.

Who is she? How does she affect him like this without even trying?

The moment Elara stepped into her room, she exhaled deeply, as if she had been holding her breath the entire time.

“Foolish man,” she scoffed under her breath, her voice trembling with frustration. “It’s not your fault I’m married to you, it’s Henry’s fault.”

Her eyes burned as tears gathered.

If only she had listened to her mother. Maybe she wouldn’t be here right now, she wouldn't be married to a rich, arrogant man like Alex.

The tears fell the moment she sat on the bed. She wiped them away quickly, almost angrily, as though refusing to let herself break.

Her gaze shifted to the side.

She stared at her phone. She hasn’t called her mother yet.

Her chest tightened at the thought. She didn’t have the courage to call her. Even if she did call her, the probability that she'd answer her call is Zero.

Just then, her phone rang.

She stared at the screen as it lit up, her heart skipping slightly.

Clara.

Elara quickly wiped her face and forced a smile before answering, masking everything.

“Sister, how are you?” Clara’s voice came through the phone, bright and concerned.

“I’m fine...how’s mother?” Elara replied.

“She hasn’t eaten anything since morning,” Clara cut in sharply. “She said she won’t eat until you leave Henry and come back home.”

Elara smiled faintly, even as tears slipped from the corners of her eyes. She wiped them quickly, as if her sister could somehow see her.

“I didn’t marry Henry today,” she said softly. “We broke up.”

“Are you serious?!” Clara shouted, excitement bursting through the phone.

“Yes,” Elara replied. “Tell mother, tell her I didn’t marry Henry.”

“I’m so happy for you!” Clara said, relief clear in her voice.

In the background, “My dear, you listened to me? Where are you? Are you coming home already?” Her mother said.

Elara closed her eyes, her fingers tightening around the phone.

“Mother” she said, her voice steady but quiet. “I married another man.”

“What?!” both voices exclaimed at once.

Elara let out a slow breath.

“Mother, I’m married to Alexander Harrington.”

“Harrington what?” her mother’s voice came again, sharp with disbelief.

Elara swallowed.

“Mother, he’s rich, exactly the kind of man you’ve always wanted for me. He’s powerful,” she said, her voice soft but deliberate. “He's not like Henry, struggling to grow his business. And trust me, he's very popular even though I don't even know him...”

Elara has never heard about Alexander Harrington, she's not to be blamed, she's not a social person.

“That family is dangerous,” her mother said finally, her voice trembling now. “Come back home, please. I want you to marry a man who will give you peace, you're still young, you need a man whose family will give you peace. Elara...you're just twenty eight and you need to live a peaceful life...”

Elara bashed her lashes, her heart racing with fear. Why is her mother saying all this?

Her mother's voice broke slightly.“I’m sorry but the Harrington family will never let you have that.”