His Regret Bound My Ghost to His Side

Chapter 2

Silas's chest rose and fell like a storm as he sucked in a sharp breath, his face twisted with rage. "Get out! I never want to see your face again!"

"Like I even want to be here?" Elara shot back, spinning on her heel and striding away without a second glance.

Alone in her second-floor bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed, but sleep was a distant dream.

The silence pressed in around her, broken only by the ragged sawing of her own breath.

Five years ago, she'd come home from work to a nightmare—Sybil sprawled at the foot of the stairs, her body pooled in a crimson puddle.

Above them stood Lila, Silas's childhood friend-turned-rival, her face ghostly pale.

Elara had lunged forward, screaming at Lila to call an ambulance.

But the other woman just curled her lips into a venomous smile. "You asked for this by sticking your nose in, Elara."

Lila vanished—only to return minutes later dragging a frantic Silas behind her.

"Silas!" she cried, voice dripping with false distress. "I saw everything! Elara was yelling at Sybil, then pushed her down!"

Silas's eyes burned hellfire-red as he seized Elara by the throat, crushing her protests. "After everything Sybil did for you! How could you?"

"You always said she bullied you, but I thought you were exaggerating. Who knew you'd actually try to kill her? How could you be so heartless?"

The absurdity of it all choked Elara.

For two years of marriage, Sybil had played the perfect mother-in-law in public while sharpening her knives in private.

She'd never accepted Elara's "common" background, inventing endless ways to remind her she'd never be good enough for Silas.

She'd tried telling Silas—gently, always gently—but he'd just ruffled her hair like a child. "She's all bark and no bite," he'd say, as if that excused everything.

Eventually, she stopped bothering.

Now her silence had been weaponized against her.

When Sybil slipped into a coma, Lila's lie became Silas's gospel truth.

Crash!

The door exploded inward, yanking Elara from the memory. Alcohol fumes assaulted her nostrils before she even opened her eyes.

Silas loomed over her, eyes blazing like a cornered animal, his weight pressing her into the mattress.

"What the hell?" Her heart hammered against her ribs as she thrashed. "Silas!"

His voice came out raw, laced with venom. "How can you sleep, Elara? Do you even have a heart?"

Years of pent-up fury ignited in her chest.

He was the one who'd swallowed Lila's lies whole!

He was the one who'd turned their marriage into a gilded cage!

He was the one who shattered her dignity and love with his own hands, yet now he dared turn around and question whether she had a heart?

Elara's chest heaved violently as she lashed out, her foot slamming into Silas's abdomen.

He let out a pained "ugh" as the air left his lungs, his grip going slack.

Seizing the moment, she wrenched herself free and shoved him hard.

Already heavily drunk, the force sent him crashing onto the floor in a clumsy sprawl.

For a few seconds, he just lay there, dazed.

Then, slowly, he lifted his head. The red haze in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of clarity.

"Finally sobered up?" Elara sneered, glaring down at him.

Silas's Adam's apple bobbed as a flicker of shame crossed his features.

His lips parted, as if he wanted to say something—but no words came.

Instead, he scrambled to his feet and stumbled out in hurried retreat.

For days after that, he didn't show his face. Not that it bothered Elara.

This was his pattern—every time they fought, he'd vanish for a while.

When she finally made time to visit Elias at the hospital, a nurse delivered crushing news.

"Elara, Elias's next round of chemotherapy hasn't been paid for. The hospital has halted some of his medications. Please settle the outstanding balance immediately."