Chapter 4

The Vows No One Heard

The morning of the wedding dawned gray and quiet. No birdsong. No sunlight. Just a thick, still silence that wrapped around Elara’s chest. heavy.

She was in a room in that back of the chapel.The room was dim, save for the soft golden glow of the antique lamp on the desk. She hadn’t slept. Not really. Her eyes were dry, but her bones ached like she’d been crying all night.

Someone knocked.

“Come in,” she said softly.

A maid entered without a word, carrying a pale ivory box. She set it on the bed, gave a short curtsy, and slipped out again.

Elara stared at the box like it might bite. She knew what was inside.

A wedding dress.

She opened it slowly, hands trembling. The gown was beautiful of course it was. Delicate lace sleeves. Flowing silk. Not a single thread out of place.It doesn't look like a funeral cloth. 

But that’s what it was.

After changing Elara stood in front of the mirror in the small dressing room.her body wrapped in the expensive silk of a custom made wedding dress, her dark brown hair was pinned up neatly in a quiet elegance by the stylist Julian had arranged. She barely recognized the girl staring back at her. Her face, powdered and perfected, wore the kind of calm only fear could build.

The room was quiet. No music. No chatter. No bridesmaids fussing with hems or bouquets. Only a distant murmur from the hallway and the ticking of an old grandfather clock.Never in her wildest dream would she has thought she was going to get married like this.

Everything about the day felt wrong.

No crowd. No grand cathedral. 

"You look….nice," a voice said behind her.

Elara turned slightly. Chloe stood in the doorway, arms crossed, wearing a blush pink dress. Phoebe trailed behind her, eyes wide with something close to envy.

"I didn’t think you’d actually go through with it," Chloe added.

"Neither did I," Elara muttered.

Phoebe tilted her head. "He’s waiting. And he’s really... wow. I mean, for someone marrying you—"I don't think you deserve someone as beautiful as him.With that being said they both left the room.

She sighed,She was sure she was the only bride in history wanting to tear her own wedding dress off. She wished she had her best friend Lily with her. But everything happened so fast she hadn't even had the time to tell her. Though she knew her friend wouldn't be able to stop the marriage, her support would have been nice. Her mind drifted to thoughts of her mother.

 ‘She isn't even here to wish me well,’ Elera thought to herself grimacing. Even though she wasn't close to her mother, her support wasn't too much to ask for, was it?

“Don’t slouch,” came her mother's voice. 

As if summoned by Elara’s thoughts, Katherine entered the room with a phone pressed to her ear, giving Elera a once-over and a dismissive nod.

  

“You’re decent. At least you won’t embarrass us.”

     

 Elera said nothing but gave a slight roll of her eyes. ‘So much for motherly support’. She thought.

    “Come now Elara." Katherine's voice interrupted her thoughts.Today is your wedding day not a funeral . Certainly it would warrant a smile. Katherine told her in a dry tone.She had hung up her phone to find her daughter scowl as ferocious as that of a person going into battle.

Try not to embarrass us further, dear.

Elara took one final breath and turned toward the door.Katherine behind her. The walk to the ceremonial room felt like walking toward the edge of a cliff.

The room where it happened was dimly lit, more like a courtroom than a chapel. There were only few people present: Julian, the grandfather’s old lawyer, Cain standing quietly by the far window with a few silent staffs,Gerald with his hands folded like he was overseeing a business deal, phoebe with Chloe and Katherine beside them, draped in smugness. Not even his family were present.

No photographers.

And Adrian.

He stood at the front, dressed in a tailored black suit. Not flashy, but commanding.His eyes met hers the second she entered, and she hated the way her heart stuttered.

Elara stepped forward slowly, her heels soft against the rug.Elara walked down the aisle alone. She stood beside Adrian without glancing at him. Her fingers were cold.

The old lawyer cleared his throat, voice brittle with age. “Shall we begin?”

No one asked if they were ready.

The ceremony was swift. No love poem. No vows exchanged from the heart. Only names, legal phrases, and the quiet signing of documents that would bind them forever.

"Do you take this woman—"

"Yes."

"Do you take this man—"

"...Yes."

Rings were exchanged.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Adrian didn’t hesitate. He leaned in, brushed his lips against hers,not forceful, not tender. Just a seal.

A pause. pen. A signature. A name that no longer belonged to her alone.

Wolfe.

Julian offered a curt nod. “The marriage is legally binding.”

Elara closed her eyes.

And just like that, she was no longer Elara Williams..

She was Elara Wolfe.

Gerald clapped his hands once, satisfied. “Congratulations to the happy couple.”

As the others stepped forward to offer brief congratulations or silence, Adrian leaned in slightly.

I must say you look lovely.

Does lovely still matter when it’s forced?” she asked.

Adrian didn’t smile. “This is the last step,After this, no one can disrespect you or downgrade you anymore.Not even Gerald.

Her throat dried. “Is that supposed to make me feel safe?”

Adrian paused beside her. That depends on you.

She didn’t answer.

Oh and also,this wedding stays between us," he murmured, voice just loud enough for her to hear. "No press. No announcements. When I decide the world is ready to know, they’ll know. Not before."

Elara blinked at him. "Why?"

Because the Wolfe name comes with enemies.and vultures. I won’t let them tear you apart . 

Her breath hitched. "So I’m hidden now?"

"No," he said. You’re protected. There’s a difference.

The others began to move out of the room, leaving them alone.

"And what about... me? School?

He turned to her fully then. "You want to keep chasing your stage dream?"

She bristled. "It’s not a dream. It’s mine."

He nodded slowly. "Then keep it. But it stays private. Quiet. You’ll have full access to training, tutors, classes.whatever you need. But you don’t act in anything public until I say so. No interviews. No photos. No drama."

"You mean until I stop being an embarrassment to your name?”

He leaned in, voice low. No. Until I’ve made sure no one can use you to hurt me. The Wolfe name is armor. I won’t hand it out lightly.

She swallowed hard. And if I say no?.

"Then you can walk out right now," he said evenly. But everything your family owes me—every debt, every deal—goes up in flames. And I will not stop until there’s nothing left of them.

She stared at him, a bitter weight dropping into her gut.

"You’re cruel."

"No," he said. I’m strategic. And you, Elara, just became the most valuable piece on my board.

She looked away. "Do you even like me? Or am I just a move?"

A beat.

Then, softly, "I haven’t decided yet. But I’m watching."

Just then, Julian stepped back in. The car is ready. The press has been diverted. Everything’s secure.

Adrian nodded, eyes still on Elara. "Let’s go home."

Phoebe and Chloe were already gone. Gerald had vanished after the signatures were done. Katherine hadn’t even said goodbye.

The new Mrs. Wolfe walked silently beside her husband, into the waiting car, into the life that now bore his name.

And the world didn’t know. 

The ride back home was silent .It seems her husband wasn't one for talking .She sighed knowing her marriage wasn't starting really well.She sighed again.She supposed she had to follow Gerald's advice and resign to her fate.She had to make the best out of her situation.She would try to be a good wife if he would also try.They had to talk if they were to work and when was the best time if not now in a silent vehicle.

 She cleared her throat, sneaking a peek as he sat beside her.His eyes were closed and his head rested back on the headrest of his seat.He looked totally gorgeous even from his side view with his Roman nose and full lips.

She sighed again attempting to start a conversation.“we…”

" Are you done?”His deep voice resounded in the silent vehicle and she gasped.

His eyes were still closed and he didn't even move . 

W..what?” She stammered hating herself for it.She didn't want him thinking she was some weak woman that was easy to scare.Not that she was scared of him she thought.Somehow she wasn't scared of him ,She realized with a frown.She supposed she should be as he was practically a stranger .

  “Are you done?” He asked again and this time when Elara looked at him he was looking at her .

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak as it might come out as gibberish.She resided to her corner in the car.

The rest of the ride was silent and they eventually got to Adrian's estate.

She was escorted to a different wing of the estate—Adrian’s private quarters. The silence was louder there. The walls darker.

He didn’t follow her immediately. Said he had "something to handle."

She wandered into the bedroom. It was modern and elegant,black wood, silver trim, minimalistic art. Not a single thing out of place. Like the man who owned it.

A closet full of expensive suits. A liquor cabinet stocked like a fortress. A large window overlooking the woods.

A cage made of glass and gold.

A mirror, standing on its own. So alone, it reminded her of herself.”

Elara stood in front of the mirror still in her gown, staring at the stranger staring back at her.

Her hands went to the necklace around her throat.the only thing she’d chosen herself. A small gold locket. Her father’s.

A knock at the door.

She turned.

Whatever was on the other side of that door… she wasn’t ready. But she'd open it anyway.