Chapter 21: The Heart Of The Game

The atmosphere in the room felt suffocating, thick with unexpressed thoughts and palpable tension. I never anticipated Dominic would appear at the gala—not after everything that had unfolded between us. The wedding was off, the deceit had been laid bare, and the truth about our families had crashed down like a relentless wave. Yet, there he stood, facing me with that same inscrutable look, his dark eyes fixed on me with an intensity I struggled to understand.

“Why are you here?” I managed to ask, my voice trembling more than I had hoped.

Dominic paused before responding. He stepped closer, diminishing the distance between us until I could feel the warmth emanating from him. My breath hitched as I instinctively retreated, only to find myself cornered against the wall.

“I could pose the same question to you,” he replied softly, his tone tinged with sarcasm and something darker—something that sent a chill down my spine.

The air crackled with tension, a storm of unresolved feelings—betrayal, anger, and passion—swirling around us. I wanted to shove him away, to remind him of all the pain he had caused and the ways he had manipulated me. Yet, I remained rooted in place, my gaze locked onto his, reflecting the intensity of his own.

“Why are you doing this?” I whispered, my voice barely above a murmur as I tried to untangle the emotions swirling within me. “After everything that’s happened, why are you still trying to keep me here?”

His lips curled into a dark, enticing smile, one that was both alluring and menacing. “Because I want you to stay, Elena. You’re not leaving. Not yet.”

I swallowed hard, my heart racing in my chest. I wanted to yell at him, to push him away and flee. But instead, I stood there, my body betraying me as I struggled to keep my emotions in check.

Before I could reply, the sound of footsteps approaching jolted me from my thoughts. I glanced past Dominic and spotted Liam, his twin brother, making his way toward us with that all-too-familiar smirk. His eyes darted between us, taking in the charged atmosphere with a hint of amusement.

“Well, well, well,” Liam remarked, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Looks like I missed quite the spectacle. I should have known better than to leave you two unsupervised for too long.”

Dominic tensed slightly at the sound of his brother’s voice but didn’t turn to acknowledge him. Instead, his focus remained locked on me, as if challenging me to break the silence that had enveloped us.

Liam’s gaze sharpened as he took in the scene, the tension in the air palpable like static. He was fully aware of the dynamics between us—aware of the conflict, the deceit, the betrayal. Yet, he stood there as if nothing had shifted.

“Is this some kind of power struggle?” Liam continued, his tone nonchalant, almost disinterested. “Because if it is, I have to say, it’s a bit sad.”

Frustration surged within me, and I couldn’t hold back. “I’m not playing any games,” I retorted, my anger flaring. “I don’t need either of you dictating my life.”

Liam raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by my reaction. “Oh, I’m sure you don’t,” he replied with a laugh. “But here you are, aren’t you? Still caught between us. Still trying to untangle all the lies and manipulation. Tell me, Elena, do you ever wonder if you’re just another piece in their game?”

His words struck me harder than I anticipated. For a brief moment, I was frozen, my mind racing as the weight of his statement settled in. Was I truly just a pawn? Had my anger and thirst for revenge blinded me to the larger picture? I thought I had it all figured out, but now, doubt crept in, gnawing at me like a relentless, insidious whisper.

Dominic, noticing my change in attitude, finally broke the silence. “Liam, don’t even think about it,” he cautioned, his voice low and menacing. “We have more pressing issues to deal with than whatever game you believe we’re playing.”

But Liam was undeterred. “More pressing issues?” he echoed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Like what? The possibility that your fiancée might actually love you—or perhaps that you’ve grown accustomed to the taste of betrayal?”

Hearing the word “fiancée” made my stomach churn. The ring that once symbolized everything I loathed now felt like an inescapable burden. I was trapped in a marriage that wasn’t mine, ensnared in a web of deceit and manipulation. Yet here I stood, caught between two men who were integral to the very system that had shattered everything I cherished.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could utter a word, Dominic interjected again. This time, his voice was colder, devoid of any warmth. “Don’t try to manipulate her, Liam. It won’t work.”

Liam grinned, clearly relishing the tension. “Manipulate? No, Dominic. I’m merely stating the obvious.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me with Dominic, my heart a tumult of emotions. The air between us felt electric, heavy with the weight of our shared history. I had countless questions, so much I needed to grasp. But when I met his gaze, I realized I didn’t have the answers. Not yet.

Dominic stepped closer, his voice softer now, his eyes locked onto mine. “Elena,” he said gently yet firmly. “We need to talk. But not here. Not now.”

Before I could reply, the shrill sound of a phone ringing interrupted the moment. Dominic sighed as he pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen before answering. 

“What is it?” he snapped, his tone sharp. He listened for a moment, his jaw tightening. “Fine. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Make sure it’s taken care of.”

When he hung up, his eyes met mine once more, but this time, there was a sense of urgency behind them. “I have to go. But don’t think this is over. Not by a long shot.”

As he turned and walked away, my mind raced, trying to process everything that had just happened. Was this really the end of it? Or was this just the beginning of something even more dangerous—and perhaps even more twisted—than I could ever have imagined?

One thing was for certain: I was no longer just a pawn in a game I didn’t understand. I was the one holding the pieces now.

And I was about to make my move.