The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride (Elara and Victor) novel Chapter 22

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Unwelcome Gifts

Elara sat on her bed, having just finished talking to her mother and little brother, promising to visit them soon. “Just then, she heard a soft knock on her door.

“Ma’am, a package just arrived for you,” a maid announced, stepping into the room and placing a small box on the table. “No return address.”

A package? She wasn’t expecting anything. Her heart began to race as she stared at the package. Something about it felt wrong.

“Who delivered it?” Elara demanded, trying to keep calm..

“A courier service, ma’am. They didn’t provide any details

“Thank you,” Elara murmured. She waited until the maid had left before approaching the package, her hands trembling slightly. There was no return address, just her name scrawled in neat, unfamiliar handwriting that sent a chill down her spine.

Elara’s breath caught in her throat as she opened the box, only to find a dead rat soaked in blood. Tied around the rat’s neck was a small piece of paper with a single word scrawled on it:

‘I hope you like my gift? D.‘

Her hands shook uncontrollably as memories flooded back the years of torment, the cruel pranks, the constant fear of what he would do next. And now, he was back in her life, determined to remind her that she could never escape him. Just then, Damian entered her room.

“Elara,” he called, walking closer to the panic–stricken her. “What’s wrong?” Words failed her as she could only point at the box with the dead rat still inside.

Damian approached the box and peered inside, quickly understanding what had made her panic.

“Hey, calm down,” he said, holding her hand. “I want you to stay calm. He’s only doing this to scare you. Don’t let him get to you.”

“How?” Elara inquired, her body trembling. She couldn’t control her emotions. Damian pulled her closer, hugging her. He smoothed her back, whispering soft, calming words.

“I’ll make him suffer,” he vowed, “more than he made you suffer.”

She was finally able to calm down. She sat gently on the bed, with Damian beside her.

“Are you feeling better now?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied. Damian wasn’t expecting what he had found. He had only come to ask her to accompany him to the gala. He needed her there because he wanted to show everyone how much he loved his wife. His thirtieth birthday was just around the corner. That day would be the day he took over everything. He needed her more than ever, but seeing her now panicked, made him think twice.

“Why are you here?” Elara asked, moving away from him. Since the day he had treated her like trash, she had vowed never to show her feelings. She needed to focus more on herself than on unnecessary, strange emotions.

“I’m here to tell you about the gala that will be hosted tomorrow,” he announced.

“And you want me to be there?”

“Yes, we need to show them that we’re in love. My thirtieth birthday is around the corner.” He paused. “I don’t want to do anything that will make me lose it. No slight mistake can happen, Elara. You must be there as my wife.”

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She laughed dryly. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be there with you.”

“Good.”

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“He rose to his feet, both hands in his pockets. “Daniel will be brought to justice soon. I’ll make sure of it. I’m working towards destroying him completely.”

“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. “And I hope you’ll be quick about it.”

“I will. Everything will fall into place soon.” Elara saw an evil smile creep onto his lips. “I need to go.”

Damian was about to step outside when he spoke again. “I have your dress for the gala ready.” With that, he left.

The night of the charity gala arrived with all the glitz and glamour one would expect. The Blackwood name held power, and their appearance at such an event was met with excitement and admiration. Elara, dressed in a stunning emerald gown that brought out the depth of her eyes, felt a knot in her stomach that had nothing to do with the event itself.

The ballroom was a swirl of expensive perfumes, sparkling jewels, and polite conversation. Elara kept her mask of composure firmly in place as she made her rounds with Damian by her side, his presence both comforting and suffocating.

“Smile, Elara,” Damian whispered in her ear as they approached a group of influential guests. She forced a smile, but her mind was elsewhere–searching the crowd. She felt something was burning into her soul.

It didn’t take long. She felt his presence before she saw him a cold shiver running down her spine. Turning slightly, her eyes met Daniel’s across the room. He was watching her with a smug, knowing smile, his green eyes gleaming with malicious intent.

Elara’s breath caught in her throat. She wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. Daniel made his way toward them, and with each step, her heart pounded harder.

“Damian,” Daniel greeted smoothly, extending a hand. Damian shook it, though his eyes were like steel. He pretended he hadn’t heard about him. “Good to see you again.”

“Regards,” Damian replied bluntly. “I didn’t expect you here tonight.”

Daniel’s smile widened as he turned his attention to Elara. And Elara… It’s been far too long.”

“Daniel,” she murmured, her voice as steady as she could manage. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Surprise,” Daniel stated lightly, though the undercurrent in his tone sent a wave of dread through her. “I couldn’t miss the chance to support such a worthy cause–and, of course, to see some old friends.”

Damian’s words replayed in her mind. How he warned her never to show any weakness in case they came across Daniel at the party, but she failed to heed his instruction as her body remembered everything it had endured at the hands of this devil in front of her.

With a bright smile plastered on Daniel’s face, he turned and faced Damian. “Can I speak to your wife?”

In a cold tone, he responded, “For what?”

“For old times‘ sake,” he responded with a grin. “Come on, dude, I’m not going to eat your wife.” By now, Damian had wrapped his hand around her waist.

“I’ll have to turn you down,” he announced.

“Oh. Quite possessive of your wife,” Daniel declared mockingly. Damian looked at him, not letting his words get

to him. He was as cold as ice.

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“Yes,” he replied. “And if you’ll excuse us, we need to go.” Daniel’s expression hardened, his blood boiling as his eyes fell on Damian’s hand on Elara’s waist. He hated what he was seeing. If it wasn’t for Damian’s background, he would have destroyed him. He had always made sure to destroy any guy who approached her for many years, and he had always succeeded.

His fists clenched as he watched Damian take away his toy.