Chapter 3: Refusal
861 Words
For a moment, Elaria couldn't breathe.
The noise of the banquet faded.
The applause.
The whispers.
The clinking glasses.
Everything disappeared beneath the sound of her own heartbeat.
Dominic had threatened Evren.
Not directly.
Not openly.
But the message had been clear.
Painfully clear.
Her son.
The most important person in her life.
The only person who had ever loved her unconditionally.
Dominic had just turned him into a bargaining chip.
Something inside Elaria went cold.
Very cold.
She stared at him.
At the expensive suit.
The charming smile.
The polished image everyone admired.
And suddenly she saw exactly what he was.
A bully.
A dangerous one.
Dominic stepped back before anyone noticed the tension.
His public smile returned instantly.
It was almost impressive.
One second a predator.
The next, a perfect gentleman.
The guests continued chatting, completely unaware.
Elaria's parents remained oblivious too.
Or maybe they weren't.
Maybe they simply didn't care.
The thought hurt more than she wanted to admit.
"Smile," her mother hissed through clenched teeth.
Several guests were still taking photos.
Elaria looked at her.
Then looked at her father.
The two people who were supposed to protect her.
Instead, they had handed her over.
Like a business transaction.
Like a product.
Her chest tightened.
"No."
Her mother's smile froze.
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
The room quieted again.
People nearby started paying attention.
Her father's expression darkened.
"Elaria."
"No."
She repeated it louder this time.
Stronger.
Clearer.
"I am not marrying Dominic Kane."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Someone dropped a champagne glass.
The sharp crack echoed through the ballroom.
Her mother nearly choked.
Her father looked ready to explode.
Dominic simply watched.
Waiting.
Studying.
Like he already knew how this would end.
As though her resistance was temporary.
A phase.
That irritated her more than anything.
He wasn't taking her seriously.
Because nobody ever did.
Not until it was too late.
Her father marched toward her.
"Stop this nonsense immediately."
"Nonsense?"
Elaria laughed bitterly.
"You announced my engagement without asking me."
"We did what's best for you."
"No."
Her voice trembled.
Not from fear.
From years of buried frustration.
"You did what's best for yourselves."
The accusation landed hard.
Several guests exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Her father lowered his voice.
"You're embarrassing us."
The words hit a familiar wound.
Not Are you okay?
Not Why are you upset?
Just embarrassment.
Always embarrassment.
Always appearances.
Never her.
Elaria swallowed painfully.
Then she made a decision.
One she'd probably pay for later.
But she couldn't stay silent anymore.
Not tonight.
Not after what Dominic had done.
She turned toward the crowd.
Toward every witness in the room.
And spoke.
"My parents never asked whether I wanted this marriage."
The whispers grew louder.
Her mother looked horrified.
"Elaria, stop talking."
"No."
She looked directly at Dominic.
"And I would never willingly marry a man who threatens my child."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The statement exploded through the room.
Several guests stared openly.
Others looked shocked.
Dominic's expression hardened.
For the first time.
A crack in the mask.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes darkened.
Interesting.
Apparently he didn't like being exposed.
Good.
Neither did she.
Her father stepped forward.
"You've lost your mind."
"No."
She met his gaze.
"For the first time in years, I think I'm finally finding it."
The room erupted into whispers.
The humiliation her parents had planned for her was quickly becoming theirs.
And they hated it.
Her mother grabbed her arm.
Hard.
Too hard.
"Come with me."
Elaria pulled away immediately.
"Don't touch me."
The words came out sharper than intended.
But she didn't regret them.
Not one bit.
Without another word, she picked up her handbag.
And walked away.
This time nobody stopped her.
Maybe they were too shocked.
Maybe they were too embarrassed.
Either way, she reached the front doors.
Freedom only a few steps away.
Then—
"Elaria."
Dominic's voice.
Calm.
Dangerously calm.
She stopped.
Against her better judgment.
Slowly, she turned.
The ballroom had gone completely silent.
Every eye followed them.
Dominic stood in the center of the room.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression unreadable.
Then he smiled.
A smile that sent chills down her spine.
"You forgot something."
Confused, Elaria frowned.
"What?"
Dominic pulled out his phone.
Tapped the screen.
And held it up.
The color drained from her face.
A photograph appeared.
Evren.
Her six-year-old son.
Leaving school earlier that afternoon.
Someone had taken the picture without her knowledge.
Without Evren's knowledge.
Without permission.
Fear shot through her chest.
Ice-cold.
Terrifying.
The ballroom disappeared again.
All she could see was that photo.
Her son.
Her precious boy.
Dominic slowly lowered the phone.
The smile never left his face.
"Children should be protected."
His gaze locked onto hers.
"Don't you agree?"
Every instinct screamed at her to run.
To grab Evren.
To disappear.
Because for the first time since this nightmare began...
She realized Dominic Kane wasn't simply obsessed.
He was watching them.
And if he was watching...
What else had he already...
......
Elaria rushes outside and immediately calls Evren's school..only to hear the secretary say, "Ms. Quinn... a man already picked your son up an hour ago."
- Writer
