CHAPTER 3

Elle's POV

“I still don’t understand why you’re still living with that man. You’ve been married for a year, Elle, but he still doesn’t consider you his wife,” my best friend Gemma said.

I took a sip of my coffee before answering. “We are married, Gem. We promised in front of God that we would be together forever, through thick and thin.”

Gemma rolled her eyes. “Excuse me, it should be ‘you promised,’ not ‘we.’ Because we both know that it was only you and your husband’s family who wanted the two of you to get married. If Amanda and Samuel hadn’t pressured him, he definitely wouldn't have agreed to marry you.”

I pouted at what she said. “Do you really need to remind me of that?”

She rolled her eyes again. “If only I could remind you every day that Navid doesn’t love you.” Gemma sighed. “Why are you putting up with him? There are many other men out there, Elle. Men who will love you, will take care of you, and willappreciate you.”

“But I won’t feel the same way about them,” I answered quickly.

I smiled bitterly as I looked at the cup of coffee in front of me. “I love Navid, Gemma. And of all people, you know best how much I love him. Yes, it hurts. It hurts to think that he can’t love me and that he was forced to marry me. But what can I do? My love for him is still stronger. The love I feel for him is stronger than the pain he gives me.”

Gemma’s face scrunched up. “You know what? If there were an award for being a fool and a martyr wife, you’d probably be one of the nominees.”

I laughed softly at what she said and shook my head.

“I hate you,” I said, pouting once again.

Gemma grinned. “But my husband loves me.”

I pouted even more. “You really are a good friend, aren’t you?” I said sarcastically. “Instead of cheering me up, you’re just bringing me down. So much for being a best friend.”

Gemma laughed out loud. “I’m just telling the truth. My husband really loves me.”

I snorted. “Alright, the luckiest wife in the world. You’re the one with a loving husband. You’re the lucky one when it comes to love. You got it all.”

Gemma’s laughter grew louder. “I really am.”

“Should I bow down to you?”

She grinned. “I mean, I wouldn't say 'no' to that.”

I shook my head again at her incredulity. But then sadness started creeping up inside my heart, making a bitter smile appear on my face.

If only I were as lucky as Gemma when it came to love.

My gaze shifted to my phone beside my coffee when it suddenly lit up.

I picked it up and read the message from my mother-in-law.

After reading it, I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder.

Gemma looked up at me, frowning as she held her cup. “Where are you going? ”

“Amanda just texted me. She wants me at the mansion.” I leaned closer and kissed her cheek. “I’m leaving. See you next time,” I said before walking out of the coffee shop, not even waiting for him to respond.

Gemma’s gaze followed me, still frowning. “Who’s going to pay for your coffee?” she called out loudly, but I just waved at her with a triumphant smile.

She called my name again, but I didn’t look back anymore, until I was completely outside.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. She would definitely call me later and scold me again.

I could already imagine how shrill her voice would be.

“What are you doing there? You look stupid, smiling all by yourself.”

I turned toward the voice and froze when I saw Navid, his hands in his pockets, and his cold eyes fixed on me.

He was standing just a few steps away.

“Navid,” I called out in disbelief.

He turned his back on me and started walking. “Let’s go. They’re all waiting for us.”

I remained stunned as I watched him.

I couldn’t believe he was here. Was he picking me up?

I couldn’t help but feel giddy at the thought.

Navid glanced back at me, his gaze still cold. “How long do you plan to just stand there?”

I flinched slightly at his tone.

Our eyes met, and without thinking, I placed a hand over my chest as my heartbeat quickened.

He turned away again. “If you don’t want to come with me, just say it. Stop wasting my time.”

My eyes widened as he started walking again.

I hurried after him. “Navid, wait,” I called, but he didn’t look back.

He kept walking until he reached his car, and I followed closely behind.

When I got there, he was already inside, seated in the driver’s seat. One hand rested on the steering wheel while the other held his phone to his ear. He was on a call.

He said something I couldn’t hear from outside, then ended the call.

He looked at me again with those cold, piercing eyes. He rolled down the window slightly. “What? Are you coming or not?”

I quickly opened the passenger door and got in, placing my bag on my lap.

Navid started the engine and drove off.

Silence filled the car. No one spoke. The only sounds were the distant honks of other vehicles.

I wanted to start a conversation. I wanted to ask where we were going. I wanted to ask if his mom had asked him to pick me up.

But I knew it would be useless.

He wouldn’t answer me. He never liked it when I asked questions.

So it was better to stay quiet.

Otherwise, I might ruin his mood, and I didn’t want that to happen.

I didn’t want him to get angry at me again… even though he was almost always angry with me.