Fragments of a Broken Woman

CHAPTER 4

Two weeks later, both families agreed to meet so Elijah and I could get to know each other. They would also discuss the clauses of the premarital contract—a pact in which they would work hard to gain the greatest benefit possible… before signing it.

My death sentence.

That day, my mother bought me a beautiful summer dress: white, with a blue floral print. Light, delicate, with thin straps, fitted at the chest and waist, flowing softly from the hips to just below the knee. I paired it with low heels.

I felt beautiful.

My reddish hair was pulled into a high, polished ponytail. The makeup was simple but highlighted my best features… and my gray eyes.

When we arrived at the Hall mansion, I noticed its grand, old façade. But inside, everything was modern, elegant… cold.

As the door opened, the whole family was already gathered:

The Hall grandparents.

Rebecca, Elijah’s mother.

Emmet, his father.

Elliot…

and, of course, Elijah.

He looked at me as if he had won the grand prize.

Elliot, however…

There was something about him.

Discomfort. Rejection.

Not just in his gaze, but in his entire body. In the way he breathed, in how he avoided contact. He seemed to hate every second in that room… everyone present.

During dinner, he didn’t speak.

He had no opinion.

He didn’t exist.

Although, at times… he surprised me by staring at me.

Elijah, on the other hand, sat near me. We had a light, superficial conversation—the usual questions to “get to know someone.”

His answers were vague.

Empty.

I, on the other hand, tried to open up. To show him who I was.

Call me foolish…

but deep down I believed that if I gave enough of myself, this arrangement could work.

That we could get close.

That, with time… we could fall in love.

That it could be a story worth telling.

But I was sixteen.

Naive.

Innocent.

And like any teenager… I dreamed of that first love that changes everything.

Elliot listened in silence.

Attentive.

Too attentive.

Finally, they began discussing the clauses. But that was my parents’ and the lawyers’ business. To me, they were just empty words… legal terms I didn’t understand.

Until Elijah spoke.

“One of the main clauses we need to include… is the virginity test.”

Silence fell immediately.

Everyone looked at him.

“Yes, I said it,” he continued naturally. “I need my fiancée to remain pure… for me. Untouched until our wedding night.”

I felt my blood boil.

What humiliation.

I looked at him with disgust.

Who did he think he was?

He returned my gaze with arrogance, as if he had just said something completely reasonable.

My father tried to soften the moment.

“Elijah, there’s no need for that. You have my word that Sophie is a girl from a good family. We raised her with values.”

But Emmet intervened:

“I’m sorry, Caleb. I cannot deny that to my son. We don’t doubt her honor… but it’s something he needs.”

I felt a knot in my stomach.

“A few days before the wedding,” he continued, “our doctors will conduct the test to make sure everything is in order.”

“We trust this won’t be a problem,” added Elijah.

“No… not at all,” my mother replied.

And in that moment I knew…

I was completely alone.

The contracts were signed.

And then—

A loud thud broke the air.

Elliot.

He had hit the wall.

His face reflected fury… repulsion.

And when he looked at me…

It was worse than any words.

Then he left the room.

But nothing mattered anymore.

Not that family.

Not that agreement.

Elijah had humiliated me.

My father should have stood up.

Should have ended it right then.

But that… would have been asking too much.

Because deep down, I knew.

He would never cancel the deal.

It was ridiculous.

They only wanted to humiliate me.

And clearly…

To Elliot, I was nothing more than unworthy of being part of his family.