Lucien, Let's Meet!

CHAPTER FOUR

In her past life, the thought of that wedding had filled Elara with terror so deep it stole her sleep.

This time though? It filled her with resolve!

“Yes, Mother,” Elara said evenly, lifting her eyes again. “I’ll get ready.”

Marjorie narrowed her eyes, suspicion flickering briefly across her face. She clearly hadn’t expected such easy compliance.

After a moment, she huffed dismissively. “Don’t dawdle, I don’t have time for foolish people,” she said before turning sharply and leaving the room, slamming the door with a loud shut.

Elara stood still long after the sound faded.

Then her smile disappeared, replaced with coldness.

Elara returned to the bathroom and turned on the shower, hot water cascading over her skin, steam curling around her like a fragile shield. As the warmth soaked into her, tears finally spilled down her cheeks, not tears of weakness, but of release.

She pressed her forehead against the tiled wall, breathing deeply.

She had been given another life. And she would not waste it begging for scraps of affection.

This time, she would fight!

This time, she would win!

But before anything else... There was one person she needed to see.

The only person who had ever stood on her side in the shadows.

Elara believed, perhaps, he was the only reason fate had dragged her back from death.

She dressed quickly, then reached for her phone with shaking hands and dialed the number etched into her soul.

The call rang once... Twice... Three times. Each ring took away her breath.

“Hello?”

That voice... Deep, cold, and husky in a way that wrapped itself around her heart.

Lucien Hale.

Her chest tightened painfully as emotion surged through her. Tears welled up instantly, blurring her vision. How had she been so blind before? How had she mistaken indifference for safety and devotion for burden?

“Elara,” his voice came again, softer now, filled with familiarity. “I know you’re there.”

She wiped her face quickly, steadying herself.

“Can we meet?” she asked, her voice trembling despite her effort.

There was a pause.

“Meet?” he repeated, genuine surprise coloring his tone.

“Yes,” she said quietly but firmly. “I need to tell you something. Something important.”

Lucien exhaled slowly, as though weighing her words. “Alright,” he said at last. “I’ll send you the address.” Then he hung up.

Elara’s phone buzzed moments later.

It was a location for a high-end restaurant.

Elara stared at the screen for a long moment before moving to her closet.

Reality struck immediately. There was nothing decent.

No elegant dresses. No designer clothes. Nothing that belonged in Lucien Hale’s world.

Only faded fabrics, worn hems, and clothes bought with money she had earned herself.

In the end, she chose a simple white dress, slightly old, slightly faded, but clean, and slipped into her worn-out white sneakers.

She didn’t need luxury. She just needed the truth.

When she reached downstairs, the atmosphere shifted instantly.

Marjorie sat stiffly on the couch beside her husband, Robert Vaughn.

Aaron leaned lazily against the armrest, his expression bored, entitled.

And standing near them, framed perfectly in soft colors and carefully crafted fragility, was Evelyn Vaughn... Their biological daughter.

The girl who had taken everything from her, yet, blamed Elara for all her misfortunes.

Evelyn’s eyes flicked to Elara, surprise flashing briefly before it turned into something darker.

Jealousy!

“Where do you think you’re going?” Marjorie demanded sharply.

“I have work,” Elara replied calmly.

Marjorie’s brows furrowed. “Didn’t I tell you that you and Aaron need to go pick up your wedding dress today?”

“I’ll come back early,” Elara said evenly. “I need to collect my last payment.”

Evelyn’s lips curved downward slightly as she stepped forward, hands clasped together.

“Well… be careful sis,” she said softly, her voice trembling in a way that had fooled everyone for years. "You know Mom doesn't like it when you disobey her. And big brother hates it if he has to come find you. Please don't make us worried about you."

Elara didn’t even look at her. She could already feel the fakeness radiating from her. She would have believed her act in her past life. But not this time. She knew everyone than they knew themselves.

Elara ignored her and walked past them all, straight toward the door.

For the first time... She didn’t look back. She didn’t care!

******

The restaurant was breathtaking.

Crystal lights shimmered softly overhead. The air smelled of fine wine and polished wood.

As soon as she stepped inside, a hostess greeted her with a knowing smile and led her straight to a private room. As if she had been expected.

Elara’s heart thundered as the door was pushed open to the VIP Room.

And there he was, handsome, breathtaking, and sinfully hot.

Lucien Hale sat calmly at the table, dressed in a tailored black suit, his posture relaxed yet commanding. His presence filled the room effortlessly, an aura of quiet authority surrounding him. Devastatingly composed.

When he lifted his head to look at her, his dark and cold eyes softened.

“Elara,” he said quietly. “Hello.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

This time... She would not walk away. Not again!