d itself was holding its breath. No birdsong. No sunlight. Just

soft golden glow of the antique lamp on the desk. She hadn't slept. Not real

ne kn

" she sai

pale ivory box. She set it on the bed, g

like it might bite. Sh

ding

of course it was. Delicate lace sleeves. Flowing silk. Not a s

t's wha

om made wedding dress, her dark brown hair was pinned up neatly in a quiet elegance by the stylist Julian had arranged. She b

. Only a distant murmur from the hallway and the ticking of an old grandfather clock.N

bout the day

No grand c

ice," a voice

ms crossed, wearing a blush pink dress. Phoebe traile

actually go through

id I," Ela

mean, for someone marrying you-"I don't think you deserve someone

r best friend Lily with her. But everything happened so fast she hadn't even had the time to tell her. Though she knew her

o herself grimacing. Even though she wasn't close to he

," came her m

ntered the room with a phone pressed to her ear

At least you won

ight roll of her eyes. 'So much f

a funeral . Certainly it would warrant a smile. Katherine told her in a dry tone.She had hun

mbarrass us

oor.Katherine behind her. The walk to the ceremonia

randfather's old lawyer, Cain standing quietly by the far window with a few silent staffs,Gerald with his hands folded like he w

otogr

Ad

Not flashy, but commanding.His eyes met hers the second

e rug.Elara walked down the aisle alone. She stood besi

s throat, voice brittle w

ed if they

d from the heart. Only names, legal phrases, and the q

take thi

es

take t

.Ye

ere exc

kiss th

n, brushed his lips against hers,no

re. A name that no long

lf

t nod. "The marriage

losed h

, she was no longe

s Elar

nce, satisfied. "Congratul

offer brief congratulations or si

y you loo

matter when it's f

ep,After this, no one can disrespect you

Is that supposed to

eside her. That

dn't a

ust loud enough for her to hear. "No press. No announcements. Wh

nked at h

ith enemies.and vultures. I wo

tched. "So I'

're protected. The

move out of the room

about... m

hen. "You want to keep c

"It's not a dr

full access to training, tutors, classes.whatever you need. But you don't

op being an embarras

sure no one can use you to hurt me. The Wol

d hard. And

hing your family owes me-every debt, every deal-goes up in fl

a bitter weight dro

re cr

nd you, Elara, just became the

you even like me? O

be

aven't decided yet

The car is ready. The press has b

es still on Elara

d had vanished after the signatures were

ide her husband, into the waiting car,

orld didn

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

re closed and his head rested back on the headrest of his seat.He looked

tempting to start a

oice resounded in the sile

ll closed and he

man that was easy to scare.Not that she was scared of him she thought.Somehow she wasn't scared

and this time when Elara looke

peak as it might come out as gibberish

silent and they eventuall

he estate-Adrian's private quarters. The

mmediately. Said he ha

ant,black wood, silver trim, minimalistic art. Not a

iquor cabinet stocked like a fortress

e of glass

ts own. So alone, it re

or still in her gown, staring at

r throat.the only thing she'd chosen her

k at t

tu

of that door... she wasn't re