All Chapters of I Refused the Future He Planned for Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Back at my apartment, I slid the contract into the deepest corner of my drawer.The second I closed it, my phone buzzed in my pocket.I picked up, and Noah's voice came through the line—light, casual, the way it always was."Ella, got some good news for you—"He paused on purpose. "I already submitted your residency application for the Healing track."I said nothing.He didn't notice a thing. Just kept going, like it was nothing."The Healing track spots are hard to come by. And after graduation, you can stay right at the healing ward under Vonick Academy.""I've thought it through for you. This is the best choice for you."The best choice for me.My fingers curled tighter and tighter."Noah," I finally spoke, "do you even remember what my dream is?"Two seconds of silence on the other end.Then he laughed."Of course I remember. Since you were a kid, you always said you wanted to be some High Priestess.""The High Priestess of the Moon Temple.""Okay, okay. High Priestess of the Moon

Noah's reply came fast.[What's there to think about? Don't you want to stay by my side?]I stared at the message and laughed—out of pure anger.He was always like this. Treating me like his personal property. Making decisions for me like it was his god-given right.Picking out my clothes without asking, saying nothing else looked good on me.Forcing me to cut my long hair, saying short hair suited my face better.He had me backed into a corner, and I was still desperately convincing myself that this was love.But this time, I wasn't going to force myself anymore.His second message came through.[Don't forget the graduation party tomorrow night. Everyone's waiting for us.]I didn't reply.The party was held in the academy's Moon Rite Hall.Classmates clinked glasses around the long table, the air buzzing.I sat by the door, watching quietly.Then Mira stood up and tapped a butter knife against her glass."Why don't we all share which academy we're going to?"She looked around the room

When the plane touched down, a sliver of pale light was just creeping across the sky.I turned on my phone, and the class group chat exploded with messages.The homeroom teacher was posting everyone's admission results.[Noah, Mira — Vonick Academy, Law and Contracts track.]Mira wasted no time posting a photo.Two acceptance letters side by side on the table, Noah's hand just barely in frame.[So lucky we get to take classes together.]People sent congratulations. Noah didn't explain.A few seconds later, he tagged me specifically.[@Ella, did you get the Healing track notice? Send me the confirmation once you do. I'll handle it for you.]I pulled up my suitcase handle and didn't reply.He seemed to have already forgotten last night's argument.Or more likely—he just didn't believe I'd actually leave.Until the teacher posted the next message.[Ella — Silvermoon Academy, Moon Phases and Prophecy track.]The group chat, which had been refreshing nonstop a second ago, went dead silent.

The knock came while I was sorting through star charts for the semester.I figured it was a maid who'd forgotten something. I went to open the door.It was Noah and Mira.Noah's eyes were bloodshot, a dark shadow of stubble along his jaw.The second he saw me, the tension in his shoulders visibly eased.Mira cowered behind him, peeking up timidly, instinctively reaching for his arm.Noah shook her off.Her hand froze in midair."Ella, why did you block me?" He stared at me. "Do you have any idea how many times I called?"I tried to shut the door, but Noah jammed his foot against it.I sneered. "Whether I answer your calls is my choice."Noah frowned, looking at me like he didn't recognize me. "We've known each other for years. You really have to take this all the way?""You're the one who took it all the way, Noah."Noah's lips moved, but nothing came out."You knew I wanted to study prophecy, and you still forged an application for me." I looked at him. "What gives you the right to qu

Noah's POVWhen the plane landed, Mira slumped against her seat, face pale."Noah, I'm exhausted."She tugged lightly at the hem of his shirt. "Can we go to the Council the day after tomorrow? Just let me rest a bit."There were still three days before the summons deadline.Noah glanced at her and nodded. "Day after tomorrow. Morning. No more delays."The next evening, Mira sent him a restaurant address, saying there was something she wanted to discuss in person.Noah figured she'd finally agreed to come clean. He went.But the moment he pushed the private room door open, he stopped cold.His father sat at the head of the table, expression stone-cold. Mira was beside him, eyes red-rimmed.His father's voice was low and heavy. "Mira told me everything. You dared to misuse the family wolf mark—to vouch for a forged lifetime contract!"Noah's fists clenched. "I'll explain to the Council. I'll take responsibility.""And then what? Lose your spot, and drag the whole family into a guarantee