Bound by Vows

Chapter two; Bad news

Elena’s pov;The cold winter air bit at my cheeks as I hurried down the steps of the old mansion.How could they ask this of me? No, tell me to do it, as if I were some pawn in their chess game, only that this wasn’t chess, this was a corporate game.Ethan," I glanced at the now darkening sky as his face flashed in my mind, pale and hopeful, just as I had seen him earlier that morning.Damian Blackwood? That man was the main character of terrible horror stories, heartless, cunning, ruthless, you name it. The few times I'd seen him in business headlines, he looked as cold as the suits he wore, his sharp jawline and piercing eyes radiating power and detachment.I reached my car, gripping the door handle as though it could steady my racing heart."Elena!" My mother’s voice rang out behind me and I I turned around to see her rushing after me, her scarf slipping off her shoulders. She looked smaller, older, nothing like the beautiful diva she had been.“Don’t,” I said, holding up a hand. “Don’t try to justify this. Do you even hear what you’re asking me to do?”“I do, sweetheart,” she said, her voice soft. “But you have to understand, we’re out of options. Ethan’s health... the company... everything is on the line.”“And you think selling me off to Damian Blackwood is the solution?” My voice cracked with disbelief.“He’s not a monster, Elena,” she insisted. “He’s...he’s a good man. And he’s willing to help us.”I scoffed, crossing my arms. Good man indeed.“You mean he’s willing to own us. Let’s not pretend that this is anything but a power play for him.”My mother’s shoulders slumped. “Maybe it is. But he’s offering us a lifeline. This isn’t just about the business. It’s about your brother. About our family surviving this.”I looked away, blinking back tears. How could I even consider this? But how could I not?“Is it really? Or is it for you! Isn’t it so that you can keep up with the latest luxury bags and dresses? Mom, you’re so selfish!”She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out and I used that opportunity to climb into my car, gripping the steering wheel tightly as I drove away. My mother had never lifted an arm to work in her life, before marrying my father, she had been a model and a former contestant for miss universe and might’ve won if not for my father who swept her off her feet with his wealth and since then, the life of luxury was all she had been used to.Even as the company still struggled, my mother didn’t care and still went on her regular shopping spree, abandoning Ethan for me and now that there was nothing, she wanted to sell me off to the Blackwoods!By the time I reached my apartment, I was exhausted, The small space I called home felt suffocating tonight.I poured myself a glass of water, my hands trembling as I thought of Ethan. His weak smile, his quiet determination to stay strong for us, it all felt like a cruel joke. He didn’t deserve this life, and yet here he was, caught in a battle he never asked for.And now, I was being asked to make a deal with the devil to save him.I grabbed my sketchpad and pencil, hoping to drown out my thoughts in design. But my hand froze, the pencil hovering over the page.Damian Blackwood.The name alone conjured horrible imagesand I couldn’t help but wonder What it would be like to marry someone like that? To live under his control.*********I was halfway through my first cup of coffee, trying to muster enough energy to tackle the day as well as trying to push the thoughts of the conversation with my family the day before, when my phone buzzed on the counter. I reached for it, not even glancing at the caller ID before answering. “Elena Whitmore speaking,” I said, forcing a professional tone. “Miss Whitmore,” came the soft voice of Mrs. Hartley, one of my most valued clients. “I’m calling to inform you that we’ve decided to cancel the order for the gala dresses.” The words hit me like a bucket of ice water. “Cancel?” I repeated, gripping the edge of the table. “But the designs are nearly finished, and we’ve already invested heavily in the materials.” “I understand and I’m sorry,” Mrs. Hartley said, she didn’t sound at all sorry. “But after reviewing the current state of your business, my husband and I feel that it’s too risky to continue. We’ll be sending someone by to collect the deposit refund by the end of the week.” I opened my mouth to protest, but she’d already hung up. I gasped, the implication of the loss sinking in. That order had been one of the few things keeping us afloat. Without it… My phone buzzed again, and I snatched it up, hoping for better news. But this time, it was a text from Clara, my most loyal employee….actually, my only remaining staff member. ‘Miss Whitmore, I’m so sorry, but I have to resign. I’ve taken another job. I just can’t wait any longer for payment. Thank you for everything.’I stared at the message, my vision blurring with unshed tears. Clara had been with me since the beginning. She knew every stitch, every seam, every late-night design session. Losing her felt like losing a piece of myself. But I couldn’t blame her. I hadn’t paid her for months.I slumped onto the couch, the weight of everything threatening to crush me. The overdue bills, Ethan’s medical expenses, the looming bankruptcy, it was all too much. As if on cue, my phone rang again. My first instinct was to ignore it, but when I saw my mother’s name on the screen, I reluctantly answered. “Elena,” she began, her voice tinged with urgency, “I just got off the phone with the Blackwood’s assistant. Damian wants to meet you.” I stiffened at the mention of his name. “Why? So he can inspect the merchandise before making his purchase?” “Elena, please,” she pleaded. “Just meet with him. Hear him out. If you still say no, then we’ll find another way.” “There is no other way, is there?” I said bitterly. She hesitated. “I won’t lie to you. Things are bad. But the Blackwoods can fix this, they’re willing to help Ethan. Don’t you think that’s worth at least one conversation?” I pressed my fingers to my temple, Every instinct I had screamed to stay far away from Damian Blackwood, but Ethan’s pale face haunted me. “Fine,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll meet him. But don’t expect me to agree to anything.” My mother exhaled loudly and quickly told me the address and the time I knew the place, it was a high-end restaurant downtown that reeked of wealth and power. As I hung up, dread settled in the pit of my stomach. Meeting Damian Blackwood felt like walking into the lion’s den, but for Ethan’s sake, I had to face the beast. I didn’t realize then how much that one decision would change my life forever.