Elara’s first life crashed hard. Cruel tricks ruined her name, broke her dreams, and turned the whole entertainment world against her. Friends betrayed her. Lovers sold her out. Everyone she trusted stabbed her in the back. 

The pain piled up until she felt trapped with no way out. One night, she couldn’t take it anymore. She walked to a river and ended it all in the cold, quiet water.

Later, proof came out. Messages. Recordings. Everything showed she had been framed. People posted apologies online. But it was too late. She was already gone.

The universe, though, clearly has a twisted sense of humor.

Because somehow, Elara came back. She woke up in her own past, every awful memory still sharp in her head. 

Right then she made a promise she would never break: protect her grandfather no matter what, and never let anyone push her to that dark place again.

This time she steps into the entertainment world with her head high. She trains harder, sings better, fights smarter. The same people who once crushed her? Now they get to feel the pressure.

Love? Not happening. Her heart is locked tight. But why is it that as she rises and shines brighter, handsome, powerful men start circling her—guys who never even glanced at her in her previous life.

The actor smiled at her during a press interview, leaned closer, and said softly, “We should have dinner sometime.”

The footballer sent flowers so big they blocked her room door.

The surgeon she met at a charity event checked her pulse and then forgot to let go of her wrist.

The singer she collaborated with kept calling her name during rehearsals, as if the mic could not hear him well enough.

Elara stared at the ceiling one night and sighed.

She only wanted to sing. Why did everyone look like they wanted to adopt her, date her, or both?

But the worst one came after a concert. The lights had just gone off. Her ears were still ringing. Sweat clung to her neck. She had barely stepped backstage when a shadow blocked her path.

She looked up.

The CEO of the greatest company in Aurelia stood there. The same man who once said her voice was “not worth investing in.” The same man who had made her life a living hell.

Now he held her wrist gently, but firmly.
“Let’s talk,” he said.

Elara blinked. “About… sponsorship?”

“No,” he replied calmly. “About marriage.”

Her brain froze.
“…What?”

“I will give you everything,” he continued, as if asking for a glass of water. “Resources. Protection. Freedom to sing. Become my wife.”

Elara stared at him, her mouth open, her thoughts running in circles.
This was not how it was supposed to be.
Why was the world now skipping steps?

NB:
This story is set in a fictional world. Aurelia is a country. Solmere, Veston, and Starfall City are the three capital cities of Aurelia. Other cities, such as Lorien and Crelou, are smaller cities.

* * * * * 
Contains dark themes and intense psychological tension in later chapters. Reader discretion is advised.

The glass slipped from Adrian's hand instantly and shattered against the marble floor with a sharp crack.


For the first few minutes, he stood completely still, watching her move against him. Then something in him snapped. 


His hands grabbed her waist firmly, almost bruising, and he spun her around in a swift motion. 


The moment her back hit the cold stone wall. He pressed against her without hesitation. One of his hands slid upward, his fingers fisting into her hair to tilt her head back, exposing the line of her throat. Then... his mouth came down on hers, not gentle or testing at all. It was dark, demanding and hungry.


Elara didn't lean into him. She stayed rigid, letting him kiss her all he want but giving nothing back. When his lips moved to the sensitive spot just below her ear, she felt a shiver she didn't want. So... she gave his shoulder a small, impatient push trying to hurry him along.


Chapter 127 - Chapter 127: Settling the price...