All Chapters of War God’s Gentle Vow: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

Elena already knew what tonight would bring.It would be nothing but trouble, the kind that could tear the family apart.She had known for three weeks. It started the evening her father came to her quietly, closed the door behind him, and told her what her grandfather had decided. She shook her head before he even finished the sentence.No, Dad. Give it to Harlan.He is the son in this house, and he is the right person for it.You shouldn’t deny him because of his behavior. I believe he can change.” Her father looked at her for a long moment. Steady and certain in the way he always was when his mind was already made up. Then he said it again. “It has to be youShe hadn’t stopped thinking about the reasons he gave her three days ago, when he brought up the topic again.Now, the most feared day had come. Robert had called the family for a dinner where the decision would be made.The food had been served and mostly eaten. Wine glasses sat at different levels around the table. Her u

Harlan didn’t decide where he was going. He just drove fast because of what is bothering him. His mind was still back in that dining room. His grandfather’s voice. Calm and sure. It seemed as though the decision had been made a long time ago, and tonight was just the formal announcement. He drove until the streets grew quiet and dark. He ended up at a small bar on the far side of town. He had been there twice before. He went inside and sat in the back corner. He started drinking. Not the way he usually drank. This was different. He was drinking with a purpose. After his third drink things felt a little less sharp. After his fifth, the words started coming out of him on their own. “I am the only son.” His glass turned slowly between his hands. “The only son. And it meant nothing to them.” He stared at the table. “They gave it to Elena.” He said it bitterly. Like the words had a bad taste. He didn’t notice the man watching him from across the room. Near the entrance, a

Elena put the phone down after her father’s call and sat very still for a moment. Then she stood up. She paced the room slowly. Back and forth. Her mind turning over everything and finding nowhere to land. The contract. Grace is still somewhere in the building. The access log. The legal team. Her father’s voice on the phone. All of it circling without stopping. She sank back into her chair. The frustration was sitting in her chest like something heavy and immovable. She had done everything she could do. Grace was handling everything that could be handled. Every thread that could be followed was already being followed. There was nothing left to do but wait. She sat there without moving. Sleep crept in quietly and carried her away from all of it. She woke slowly. She stretched and blinked and looked around the room. For one confused second, she did not know where she was. Then it came back. All of it. At once. She reached for her phone and checked the time. Five o’

The first thing Elena was aware of was the ceiling.White. Clean. Not hers.She lay still for a moment just staring at it while her mind found its way back. Then everything came at once. The bar. The night air. The alley. Hands on her arms. And she sat up fast.Unfamiliar room. Unfamiliar walls. Her shoes were placed neatly beside the bed. Her jacket folded on the chair.And a man.Lying on the other side of the bed. Large. Breathing slowly. Eyes closed.The worst thought came immediately.Her eyes moved to the desk.A bottle of wine sitting there. Barely touched.She got off the bed quietly. She Picked it up. Walked around to his side and stood over him.She tapped him with the bottle. Once. Twice.“You pervert.” Her voice came out low and shaking. “Wake up and tell me what you did to me.”Alexander’s body stretched. The long slow stretch of someone coming out of deep sleep. Arms going wide. Then his eyes opened.A bottle was pointing directly at his face.He sat up fast. Both hands