CHAPTER SEVEN
1194 Words
Elera POV
…
The bus stopped with a loud hiss.
Dust swirled up, warm and heavy, wrapping around me like a worn out blanket. People began pushing down the narrow aisle like crazy before the door even opened fully.
I held my small suitcase tightly and waited.
Grandmother always said rushing brings bad luck.
So I waited.
When my turn came, I stepped down carefully and almost missed the last step.
My foot slipped.
I grabbed the bus rail quickly.
A man behind me laughed.
I laughed too.
“Welcome back to the city, Elera,” I muttered to myself.
The motor park was loud. Too loud. Horns blaring. Hawkers shouting. Children running between buses like fearless little warriors.
It felt strange after years of quiet mornings and rooster sounds.
I stood there for a moment, adjusting my simple dress, brushing dust off my sleeves.
Would Father come?
Maybe Vanessa?
Even Margaret?
I wasn't expecting a party… but maybe someone.
I scanned the crowd.
Nothing.
People reunited everywhere around me, hugs, laughter, greetings.
I stood alone.
Then I heard a familiar voice.
“Miss Elera?”
I turned.
It was Mr. Daniel — our family driver.
Relief softened my shoulders.
“Uncle Daniel!”
He smiled warmly, taking my suitcase immediately.
“You’ve grown so much.”
I grinned. “You say that like I was a goat when I left.”
He chuckled.
“Madam Margaret sent me to pick you.”
The words landed quietly.
Not Father.
Not even Margaret herself.
Just… sent.
I nodded anyway. “Thanks for coming.”
…
The ride home felt like forever.
The city had changed. Taller buildings. More cars. More strangers.
I watched everything through the window like a tourist instead of someone returning home.
Mr. Daniel asked about the village.
So I told him about the harvest feast,
The kids,
The chilly mornings.
I almost spilled about grandma absence… but my throat tightened, so I stayed quiet.
When we reached the house gate, my heart beat faster.
Home.
The gate opened slowly.
The house stood there, big, familiar, like a memory
But distant.
Before stepping out, I almost left my bag
“Miss Elera!” Me Daniel called.
I froze.
“Oh!”
I rushed back, embarrassed.
He laughed kindly. “Still the same.”
I smiled sheepishly. “Some habits refuse to die.”
The front door opened before I knocked.
One of the house maids gasped.
“Miss Elera!”
Another staff member hurried forward.
“Welcome back miss!”
Their warmth surprised me.
For a second, I felt truly missed.
Margaret appeared like a queen.
Elegant. Posture straight. Smile plastered on but eyes dead.
“You’re back.”
Not welcome home.
Just… back.
“Yes, ma,” I said politely.
Her gaze swept over me, measuring, judging.
“You look… different.”
“I grew up.”
She hummed faintly and turned away.
“Come inside. Dinner will be served soon.”
…
Father stood in the living room.
Older.
That was the first thing I noticed.
Grey touched his hair now.
When his eyes met mine, something flickered there, relief… regret… maybe both.
“Elera.”
My chest tightened.
“Father.”
For a moment neither of us moved.
Then he stepped forward and hugged me.
It wasn’t long.
It wasn’t tight.
But it was real.
“You’ve become a fine young woman,” he said quietly.
“I missed you,” I replied before thinking.
He paused… then released me gently.
“We’ll talk later,” he said.
Later.
That word felt heavy.
…..
Dinner was unusually quiet.
The long dining table suddenly felt too big.
Father sat at the head.
Margaret beside him.
Vanessa sat gracefully across from me, offering a small polite smile.
She looked beautiful, flawless makeup, expensive dress, soft perfume filling the air.
I felt like dust beside polished glass.
No one spoke much while eating.
The silence felt planned.
Then Father cleared his throat.
“I called you home for an important reason.”
My fork paused.
His voice sounded formal.
Businesslike.
My stomach tightened.
“You are getting married.”
I blinked.
Then I laughed lightly.
“Father… that’s not funny.”
Nobody laughed back.
The room stayed still.
My smile slowly disappeared.
“You’re serious?”
Father folded his hands together.
“Our company is facing difficulties. An alliance is necessary.”
“Alliance?”
He nodded.
“You will marry into the Vale family.”
The name meant nothing at first.
Then Margaret spoke sharply.
“The Vale Group.”
My heartbeat quickened.
I had even heard rumors.
The powerful family.
Untouchable.
Dangerous.
“I… I don’t understand,” I whispered.
Father continued calmly.
“This marriage will strengthen our business and secure our future.”
My chest tightened.
I looked around the table.
No one looked surprised.
Only me.
I swallowed hard.
“Vanessa is here,” I said slowly. “Why not send Vanessa?”
The sound of the slap shocked even me.
Margaret’s hand struck my cheek.
Pain burned across my face.
“How dare you!” she snapped.
Her voice trembled with anger.
“You think I will send my daughter to that cruel man?”
The room froze.
She continued, voice rising.
“The whole city knows him! Cold! Ruthless! Women who tried to enter the Vale family either lost everything or disappeared from society!”
Vanessa lowered her head, acting frightened.
“Mother… please… I don’t want to marry a man like that…”
Margaret pulled her closer protectively.
“My poor child.”
Then she turned back to me.
“That man shows no mercy. He hates women. I will not sacrifice my daughter!”
My ears rang.
I looked at Father.
“So Vanessa cannot marry him… but I can?”
Tears blurred my vision.
He avoided my eyes.
“It is for the family,” he said quietly.
My voice shook.
“So I’m just… replaceable?”
He sighed.
“Listen to your mother.”
Something inside me broke.
“She is not my mother.”
Margaret gasped dramatically.
“You see?” she cried to Father. “After everything I’ve done for her, she still refuses to acknowledge me!”
The next slap came from Father.
The sound echoed louder than the first.
I froze.
He had never hit me before.
His voice hardened.
“That is enough. The decision is final.”
Silence swallowed the room.
“You will marry Cassian Vale.”
My hands trembled.
I waited.
Hoped.
Prayed he would change his mind.
He didn’t.
I stood slowly.
My chair scraped loudly against the floor.
I looked at him one last time.
“Understood.”
My voice sounded calm… even to me.
I turned and walked away before the tears could fall.
…
Inside my room, I closed the door softly.
Then leaned against it.
My legs gave way.
I slid to the floor.
They chose her.
Again.
I wiped my tears angrily.
If staying here meant being unwanted…
Then leaving might be freedom.
I laughed weakly.
“Fine.”
My voice trembled.
“I’ll marry him.”
- Writer
