Bound by a lie

Chapter two~welcome…to my Home

Elena’s pov

The vows ended.

Just like that.

No applause.

No cheers.

No warmth.

Only silence.

The priest said something—I didn’t catch it.

My ears were ringing.

My fingers felt cold beneath the veil, even though the room wasn’t.

Everything felt… distant.

Nothing felt real.

Not the ring on my finger.

Not the weight of the gown on my body.

It was as though I wasn’t really there.

Like I was watching someone else’s life unfold.

“Congratulations.”

The word floated around the room, repeated in low, controlled voices,Not joyful,Not sincere.

Just… necessary,like an obligation

I didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t even look up.

I turned slowly.

He was gone.

Just like that.

No glance.

No word.

No pause.

Of course.

I stood there for a moment longer before turning fully, my gaze drifting across the room.

That was when it hit me.

Something was wrong.

Too calm.

Too… normal.

People stood in small groups, talking quietly.

No panic.

No whispers of shock.

No tension.

Nothing that matched what had just happened hours ago.

A daughter had fallen from a freaking terrace.

There was no chaos.

No grief loud enough to break the air.

Just controlled expressions and careful movements.

My chest tightened.

Is this really the house that their beloved dayghter fell and who knows died?

I swallowed the thought quickly.

Maybe I was overthinking.

I had been doing that a lot lately.

My eyes moved again.

Searching.

Zoro.

I spotted him almost immediately.

Standing at the side, head slightly lowered, focused on his phone like nothing in the world mattered.

Like this wasn’t happening.

Like I wasn’t standing here.

My chest ached.

I wanted to go to him,to grab him and scream his name, to tell him everything, to hold him so tight he couldn’t let me go,to tell him—I love you.I’m sorry.I’ll miss you

My steps shifted slightly in his direction.i started walking in his direction

Then I stopped.

He didn’t know.

He didn’t know it was me.

Didn’t know I was the one standing at the altar.

Didn’t know I had just been married off.

Didn’t know—⸻

My breath hitched.

⸻

He’d probably believed it.

That I pushed her.

That I killed her well maybe sge isn’t dead buh then….

For the first time that night—

I felt it.

Defeat.

My fingers tightened against my dress.

Zoro.

I named him that when he was little.

He never liked staying in one place.

Always running around. Always getting lost.

No sense of direction.

Just like the character.

But he never gave up.

No matter how many times he fell.He always stood up again.

My Zoro.

What would his face look like…

When he found out?

My chest twisted painfully.

I couldn’t take it.

I couldn’t imagine it.

I turned away quickly.

Before the tears I didn’t shed earlier decided to betray me now.

I didn’t cry when she fell.

Didn’t cry when they accused me.

Didn’t cry when they forced me into this marriage.

⸻

But now?

Now it burned.it burned with the thought I was gonna lose tge only person that mattered to me

I walked out.

Step by step.

Each one heavier than the last.

The night air hit me the moment I stepped outside.

Cool.

Sharp.

⸻

At the gate—

A car was already waiting.

A man stood in front of it.

Not him.

I didn’t need to see his face to know.

The man gestured slightly.

“Ma’am.”

I moved toward the car.

Then paused.

Turned.

Just once.

Maybe—

Maybe he would come running.

Maybe he would look up.

Maybe

Nothing.

I let out a quiet breath,Ethan

And Of course,neither my father nor Diana came I wasnt expecting them to buh f**k

I got into the car,it moved silently, smoothly, as if it floated over the road. Another car led the way, two more followed behind, all driving in perfect formation, no stops, no hesitation, each turn precise, calculated. My chest tightened. Every inch of this orchestrated precision reminded me I was trapped—every detail controlled by someone else, every movement of mine anticipated, watched. My hands clenched in my lap. The streets blurred past, and for a moment, I wondered if I would ever feel free again ughhh

My brows furrowed slightly.

How rich is this man…?

The thought irritated me.

The way everything moved around him.

The control Tch

“I hope you’re alright, ma’am.”

The man in front spoke, his voice calm.

I didn’t respond

⸻

“Mr vale had to attend to something urgent,” he paused

I repeated it under my breath so that was his name “vale “

“He asked that you be taken home first. He’ll be back shortly.”he added

Home …..

I gave a small nod ,that was all

Silence filled the car again.

I turned to the window, staring blankly at the passing lights.

My thoughts moved slower now.

Heavier.

I never wanted to get married.

Not like this.

Not ever.like neverrrrrrr

Love didn’t exist.

I knew that much.

Not after what I remembered.

Or what I didn’t

Men?

Worse.

Unreliable.

Selfish.

Temporary.

And now

I was married to one.

I let out a small, humorless scoff.

How ironic.

My head throbbed suddenly.

I shifted slightly

And accidentally hit it against the window.

A sharp pain shot through my temple.

Warmth followed.

Blood.

Again.

“Ma’am—you’re bleeding,”the man said

I didn’t answer.

Just nodded once.

I didn’t care.

The car slowed.

Then stopped

I blinked.

And looked up.

The mansion stood before me.Massive.Dominating.

If there was a word bigger than magnificent

This would be it.

But I felt nothing

No awe.

No admiration.

Just emptiness.

Cold.

It didn’t feel like a home,not like I know wat one feels like anyways

Never had one

The door opened.

The man stepped out and came around to my side.

“Careful, ma’am.”

I stepped out slowly.

My heels hit the ground softly.

I walked in.

The house was quiet.

Too quiet.

Dimly lit.

Every step echoed slightly.

“I can show you to your room,” the man offered.

“No need.”

He hesitated. “You might get lost.”

I scoffed lightly.

“I won’t.”

I just wanted to be alone.

I walked away.

The silence swallowed me whole.

After a few steps—

I stopped.

Then slowly…

I sank to the floor.

The cold surface pressed against me as I leaned back, staring into the darkness.

No tears came.

Just emptiness.

Time passed.

I didn’t know how long.

Eventually, I stood.

I needed to find a room.

But the houseWas too big.

Too similar.

Too confusing.

I walked.

Turned.

Walked again.

And all the while,Blood dripped softly from my temple.

Marking the floor behind me.

I didn’t notice.

After what felt like hours

I stopped.

I was back where I started.

A quiet, bitter laugh left my lips.

Of course.

I sank down again.

This time onto the soft carpet beneath me.

My fingers moved to my necklace.

Clutching it tightly.

Darkness came slowly

And then—It took me.

⸻

I woke up with a gasp.

My chest rose and fell rapidly.

My head spun.

For a second

I didn’t move.

Didn’t breathe.

Didn’t remember.

Then it hit.

Everything.

The wedding.

The house.

Him.

My eyes opened.

⸻

And I froze.

The room—

Huge.

Not just big.

Expansive.

The kind of room that didn’t feel like a bedroom

But a private suite.

Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across one entire wall, covered with sheer curtains that let in soft morning light. The sunlight filtered through gently, casting a pale glow across the room without fully warming it.

The bed….Massive.

Draped in dark sheets that contrasted sharply against the pale walls.

Perfectly made.

Too perfect

Like no one had ever actually slept in it.

Across from it stood a wide mirror—tall, elegant, framed in black. It reflected everything with unsettling clarity.

Too honest.

To the side—

A wardrobe.

No—A walk-in closet

Even the air felt different.

Clean.

Cold.

Expensive.

But not warm.

Never warm.

I pushed myself up slowly.

My body ached.

Every movement heavy.

The oversized shirt I was wearing slid slightly off my shoulder, the fabric soft but unfamiliar. It smelled faintly of something clean.

Masculine.

Not mine.

I swung my legs off the bed.

Stood up.

And the moment my feet touched the ground

My vision tilted slightly.

I frowned.

Then took a step forward—

And hit my head.

“Ah—”

A sharp sting shot through my temple as I bumped into the edge of the mirror.

I winced immediately, my hand flying to my head.

“…Seriously?”

My fingers came away slightly damp.

I froze.

Then looked.

Blood.

Seeping through the bandage.

Ugh bleeding again

I exhaled slowly.

Annoyed.

Of course.

“So it’s this kind of day,” I muttered.

I pressed my fingers lightly against it, wincing again.

The bandage

Loose.

Messy.

Poorly done.

“Who even did this…” I muttered under my breath.

I turned slightly, glancing around the room again i sighed

I slid outside to go find a first aid box,I had barely walked a few steps wen I collided into something or rather someone

The impact was light.

But it was enough.

Enough to make me step back

Enough to make my breath catch

And then I looked up.

Even though I hadn’t seen his face clearly before—

I knew It was him.

He stood there, tall—easily over six feet—his presence filling the space without effort.

A black shirt rested on him like it had been made for his body alone. The top buttons were undone, not carelessly, but like he simply didnt need them. The fabric stretched slightly across his chest, hinting at the firm lines beneath—lean muscle, not bulky, but controlled. Defined.

Dangerously so.

His shoulders were broad.

His posture relaxed.

But not loose.

Controlled.

My gaze lifted slowly.

His face

Sharp.

But not harsh.

Balanced.

Like every feature had been placed with intention.

An angular jawline.

Clean. Defined.

The kind that tightened slightly when he spoke—or didn’t oh well I wouldn’t know I mean not like am looking at him or anything Tch

His nose straight, sculpted

His lips… not soft. But not thin either.

They held no expression.

None

And his eyes—

Dark.

Not just in color.

But in depth.

A deep brown that looked almost black in the dim light.

Cold.

Piercing.

The kind of eyes that didn’t just look at you—

They studied you.

Took you apart.

Piece by piece.

His hair fell slightly over his forehead—dark, with a faint wave to it, like it refused to stay perfectly in place no matter how controlled everything else about him was.

Effortlessly… unfair.

For a second just a teeny second like I mean a barely noticeable second i… I forgot to breathe

Then his gaze moved.

His gaze didn’t stop at my face.

It dropped.Slowly.

Not rushed. Not hesitant.

Deliberate.

From my bandaged head… to my eyes… then lower.

my throat.

My collarbone—bare where the oversized shirt slipped just slightly off my shoulder

Lower___

And then back up again.

Measured,Controlled.

Like he was assessing something.

Not admiring.

Not quite

But not indifferent either.

For a second—

just a second—

something crossed his eyes.

Something I couldn’t name.

Not softness.

Definitely not warmth.

But… not cold either.

It was there—buh then maybe Twas soft or not meh I wouldn't know

or wasnt it there arghhh i don't know

it was as though I imagined it

his expression returned to what it always was

Unreadable.

Then his gaze moved again buh this time

Down

To the floor.

He stepped past me.

Slow.

Measured.

I turned slightly, watching him

Confused.

He stopped a few steps ahead.

Still looking down.

“…What?” I asked.

“You made a mess.”

My brows pulled together

Then he spoke

And for a moment—

I forgot what he said.

Because it wasn’t just a voice.

It was low

Not loud.

Not rough

But heavy

The kind of voice that didn’t need volume to command attention ,It settled into the air slowly…and then wrapped around me before i realized it.

Controlled

Measured

Dangerously calm.

The kind of voice that didn’t ask—It expected

My fingers twitched slightly.

Annoyed at myself.

Why do I feel like this?

“Again”

“What?”"his voice snapped me out of my lil day dream well not a dsy dream I would never day dream about this man ugh he wishes

“Are all lawyers usually this slow?

A silent pause

….or just you ?”

Ugh I rolled my eyes

“Look”

I followed his gaze.

And froze.

I hadn’t even noticed.

“I didn’t—”

“Clean it”

“Excuse you”

“I don’t like repeating myself,” he added.

“Clean the mess you made.”

I didn’t move.

Not because I couldn’t.

But because I wanted to see—

What he would do

A quiet tension settled between us

Then….

“You sent Marcello away.”

His voice Flat.

I blinked.

“…Marcello?”

“The man who brought you here.”

Oh.

So that was his name.

You refused help,” he said, his voice low, smooth, and deliberate. He stepped closer, his shadow stretching over the blood-stained floor. “You walked all over the house no MY house__and of course, bled everywhere. And let’s not forget how you curled up on my carpet like a lost little puppy… bleeding there too. And now,”—his piercing gaze held me in place—“look at you, picking up right where you left off.”

My jaw tightened slightly,Tch yhyhyh watever we know it your house would you just chill off and who is he calling a puppy ugh not just any puppy a lost one ughhhh the guts of this guy but then Tch the carpet looked super expensive nd it was so soft and welll Twas also white

So here are your options,” he continued.

Still calm.

Still controlled.

“Either you clean this now…”

A pause.

“…or you clean this now—”

Another step closer.

“—and wash the carpet you stained.”

My lips parted slightly,he wasn't even giving me much of an option

Fuck.

That carpet definitely wouldn’t come clean.

I looked back at him.

Lifted my chin slightly.

“No, you wouldn’t.”

A pause.

“Carpets like that don’t come clean easily and if I wash it it will get worse “I added. “Especially since it white”

Silence.

Then—

He stepped closer.

Once.

Twice.

Until he was right in front of me.

Too close.

My breath slowed.

Unintentionally.

His cologne hit me first.

Dark.

Clean

Dangerous

Then his voice.

Low.

Closer than before.

“If I have to choose between ruining a carpet…”

A slight pause.

“…and teaching you a lesson—

He leaned in just enough.

“I won’t hesitate.”

My breath caught.

“Try me.”

That was all it took.

I turned immediately.

Walked straight down the hall to where he said d cleaning supplies were earlier

Grabbed them

And came back.

Fast.

Dropping to my knees, I pressed the cloth against the floor and started scrubbing.

Hard.

Behind me—

Silence

Then I muttered under my breath

“Not even my fault.”

No response.

“It’s the person that bandaged me,” I continued, quieter but annoyed. “They did a terrible job.”

A pause.

Something shifted.

Subtle.,Quick.

His expression flickered—

Just for a second

A very slight narrowing of his eyes.

A near-imperceptible pause.

Caught

And for a moment—

It reminded me of Zoro.

That tiny, guilty look he got when he’d been caught doing something wrong but didn’t want to admit it.

It was so unexpected—

So out of place—

A small smile slipped out before I could stop it.

And just like that

It was gone.

His face returned to normal.

Cold.

Unreadable.

Like it never happened.

“You’re smiling.”

I stilled.

“Should I not be?” I asked, quieter now.

“That depends.”

A pause.

“Do you usually find your own incompetence amusing…”

His head tilted slightly.

“…or is this morning special?”

There it was again.

That sharp edge

I dudnt bother going him a reply ,I just rolled my eye and continued cleaning the floor

You could have just called someone,” I said after a while

“I could have.”

I paused slightly.

Then glanced back.

“Then why didn’t you?”

He met my gaze.

“Because you made the mess.”

A beat.

“You clean it.”

Of course,normally I wouldn’t mind cleaning up after myself buh not today ,every part of my body is in pain my head is banging I feel so. Ughhhh

I looked away again.

After a while—

The stain faded.

Not completely.

But enough.

I sat back slightly.

Breathing slower.

“Get up.”

I pushed myself up slowly.

My legs felt weak.

He stepped forward again.

Close.

Close enough to see everything.

The mess i was in

The fatigue.

The silence.

Then—quietly—

“Next time…”

A pause.

“…think before you refuse help.”

My breath slowed

Next time.

The words settled.

Heavy.

Because they meant something simple.

Something undeniable.

“Then I realized——

There would be a next time

I wasn’t leaving