The weekend at Monroe estate felt quiet and charged as Elara went for a jog that morning. As
she jogged, people shot piercing stares at her, some were judgeful, some pitiful and some
mocking, but all of them were whispering to one another.
"What a pity! The Monroes are letting their daughter marry a murderer"
, a woman on the street
uttered in disgust.
"And I'm sure it's all for fame and social standing. If not that, who would want a murderer as a
relation?"
, another woman asked rhetorically.
"What a shame! They prefer to get their hands stained with blood"
.
"Who knows who might be his next victim? Maybe the one who's marrying him"
, another woman
said and laughed mockingly.
Elara's chest tightened as she heard those words that cut through her like a blade. The haunting
stares weren't just the worst part of it, it was the silence and isolation that gripped her and the
heaviness of her heart. She had so many burdens and now this just added to it. It wasn't only
about her now, she had a life to protect. The life growing inside her was innocent and didn't
deserve any complications.
Later that night, after her bath, Elara laid on her bed, playing with her fingers while her thoughts
spiralled out of control.
"What else could Damon be hiding? And why are my parents still insistent on getting me
married to him despite knowing the rumors?
The air in her room carried weight. She tried to sleep but to no avail. She placed her hands on
her stomach and caressed it. She hated Damon's control but at the same time felt drawn to it.
What kind of feeling was that? She hated his domineering presence but craved it.
"What are you doing to me, Damon?"
, she questioned the empty room. She couldn't just
understand it, but she had to fight for the one growing in her. But her thoughts were interrupted
by a knock on the door. It was sharp and forceful. And only Damon could knock like that.
"Elara"
, he called, voice clipped.
"Can I come in?"
"As if I said you shouldn't, you would go"
, Elara rolled her eyes, adjusting herself comfortably
before he swung the door open. The atmosphere changed immediately he entered. His cologne
overwhelmed the room.
"Ahh, I like the fact that you're getting used to my control. You already knew that I wouldn't
listen"
, he said, moving close to her.
"That's good"
.
"I'm not getting used to it. I just predicted your actions"
, Elara shot back.
Damon chuckled.
"I'm not predictable, Miss Monroe"
.
"Ohh! I see! That's why no one predicted that you could murder"
, Elara snapped.
Those words escaped her mouth before she could stop them. Something deep down regretted
saying those words. Damon narrowed his eyes.
"Wow! You've already perceived me to be one"
, Damon said, voice cold and calm.
"Enough of these. Why did you come here?" She asked, folding her arms.
Damon sat on the bed next to her.
"Another question. You do love asking questions, don't you,
Miss Monroe?"
, he ridiculed.
"You always give me a reason to do so?"
"Hmm. Well, I came to see you"
.
Those sudden words struck Elara. She felt her stomach ache and her heart pulse. Every
moment with him felt like he was unraveling her like a present.
"Why?" She asked, confusion etched on her face.
"To remind you that you're still mine to control"
, he said, voice hoarse.
"Damon, I'm not your property or some robot that can be controlled"
, she said, voice clipped.
"I
am Elara Monroe and I can't be controlled"
, she said, voice firm.
"You seem to forget that you'll be Mrs. Blackwood soon, Miss Elara Monroe"
.
"I didn't forget that, Mr. Damon Blackwood. Even if I'm married to you, I won't bend to your
control"
.
"Hmm….
"His gaze stayed on her longer than she expected, studying every expression and
every movement.
"I feel you're hiding something from me"
.
Elara's heart skipped a beat. Her temperature rose suddenly and her palms became damp with
sweat. Her eyes met his and every part of her body wanted her to look away. She stood up
immediately and moved to the window for fresh air. The moon cast its glow on her face as she
unconsciously placed her hand on her stomach, but quickly removed it realizing Damon's
presence.
"You've been weird lately. At dinner, at your office, at the gala, even at our engagement. How do
you know Elijah?" Damon asked, approaching her with hands in his pocket.
Elara's throat tightened. She felt a cold chill run down her spine. But she couldn't let Damon
know her secret.
"You're assuming things, Damon"
, she said, voice firm.
"I should also ask you the same
question. How do you know Elijah?"
"You're too bold. And boldness is recklessness"
, Damon said and gave out a maddening smile.
"Do you know the consequences of lying to me?"
"And do you know the consequences of underestimating me?"
, Elara fired back.
"Why do you keep testing me? Do you desire the fire you hate?"
She bit her lower lip. A part of her knew he was right and she hated it. For no reason she
craved his spark and felt attracted to it and that scared her.
"I'm not testing you. You are the one testing me"
.
"Hmm… and you seem to be fighting back but it feels like you're not fighting for yourself alone"
,
He leaned so close to her that her breath could be felt on his skin, even her heart beat could
be heard. It felt as though Damon had hit a spot Elara dreaded. Silence stretched between
them. The air was thick and suffocating. Elara felt her stomach churn, like the being in her felt
the impact of Damon's presence.
"I fight because I have to, because I want to, because your attitude demands it"
, Elara uttered,
her tone carried weight.
"And you thrive on control. And that's something I can't let you have on
me"
.
"I have exerted control and power on you"
, he stated then held her hand.
"If that's what you think, you're gravely mistaken"
, she uttered harshly then removed Damon's
hand from hers.
Damon smirked.
"We'll see about that"
.
With those final words he left. The atmosphere felt cold after he exited. Elara sat on her bed,
heart racing with ragged breaths. She wondered why she had to experience so much pain. She
didn't deserve any of it.
"When will I finally be happy? When will all my problems be gone?" She wondered.
A tear rolled down her cheek but she quickly brushed it away. She couldn't let Damon get to her.
She couldn't become weak.
"No, Elara you can't weaken now. You have to keep fighting. It's not only about you now"
, she
muttered to herself while pressing her stomach.
As Damon was exiting Monroe estate, he met Ryan.
"What's this I'm hearing? Are you a murderer?" Ryan asked, shock etched on his face.
"I'm not answerable to anyone"
, Damon snapped.
"You are. You can't be a murderer and marry Elara, thereby ruining our family's name"
.
"Oh wow! Look who's talking about image. Seems you've forgotten that I know your family's
horrible secret"
.
Ryan's eyes widened. His hands trembled. He froze.
"Damon"
, he called.
"Next time think before speaking to me"
, Damon spat and entered his car leaving Ryan in shock.
What could be the Monroes secret? How does Damon Blackwood know?