The second Elara stepped through the front doors of the Blake estate, the clack of heels signaled the storm.
Margot Blake appeared at the top of the stairs like a shadow cast in expensive silk.
"Well?" her voice rang out. "Don't just stand there. Come upstairs. We have things to discuss."
Elara clenched her jaw and began the familiar climb.
In the drawing room, her mother sat with a tablet in her hand—already scrolling through news updates. Her eyes flicked up, sharp as ever.
"I assume you behaved appropriately."
"I didn't throw a drink in his face, if that's what you're asking."
Margot gave her a look. "Don't be flippant."
"Too late."
"Did he seem interested?"
Elara dropped onto the edge of a chaise, her back straight but her soul tired. "He seemed amused."
Margot frowned. "That's vague."
"He smiled the whole time. He made jokes. He was… charming and obnoxious."
"So you liked him."
Elara stared at her mother. "What part of 'obnoxious' screamed I liked him?"
"Obnoxious or not, he's a powerful man. And if he's smiling at you, that's something. He never smiles for the press."
"Oh, I'm honored to be his human entertainment."
Margot ignored the sarcasm. "You looked beautiful, at least. The media's already buzzing. That cream dress did its job."
"Glad my outfit pleased the public," Elara muttered, standing. "Can I go now, or do you want a full report written in blood?"
Margot's voice was crisp. "Don't be dramatic. We're doing this for your future."
"No, you're doing this for yours," Elara shot back. "I'm just the currency you're trading."
She didn't wait for a response. She turned and walked out, her shoulders stiff and head held high.
---
Her room felt colder than usual.
Elara kicked off her heels, tossed her clutch across the bed, and let herself fall back onto the mattress. Her phone buzzed—she ignored it.
Then it buzzed again. And again.
LIV 🌸
CALL ME. NOW.
I saw the photos.
YOU WERE GLOWING.
With a groan, Elara grabbed her phone and hit video call.
Liv's face popped up instantly—framed by a messy bun, gold hoop earrings, and a spoon of ice cream halfway to her mouth.
"THERE SHE IS," Liv declared. "The mystery girl on Zayden Vale's arm!"
"Don't remind me," Elara groaned.
"Girl, you were the calm in the storm. Like—icy, elegant rage in a cream dress. It was cinematic."
"Liv. I almost strangled him with a linen napkin."
"Hot."
Elara burst into tired laughter.
Liv leaned closer to the screen. "Okay. Spill. Was he gross? Did he touch your knee under the table? Did he breathe with too much confidence?"
"He was exactly what I expected... and ten times worse," Elara sighed. "Smiles like a saint. Talks like a game show host. Thinks he's God's gift to women."
"So you hated him?"
"I hated how much he enjoyed getting under my skin."
Liv smirked. "Ooh. Chemistry."
"No. Nuclear meltdown."
"Same thing, babe."
Elara rolled onto her side, staring at the ceiling. "You know what the worst part is? He wasn't... evil. He was just annoyingly smart. He saw right through me."
"You mean he didn't buy the 'polite porcelain doll' act?"
"Not for a second."
Liv went quiet for a beat.
"Okay, listen," she said more seriously. "You don't want this marriage. I get that. But maybe it's not the prison you think it is."
Elara frowned at the screen. "How do you mean?"
Liv set her ice cream aside. "Look, your parents control everything. Where you live. What you wear. What you say. But Zayden Vale? He's bigger than the Blakes. If you marry him… you might finally be untouchable."
Elara blinked.
"You're saying I should say yes? Just to escape?"
"I'm saying… maybe being Mrs. Zayden Vale isn't the worst way to burn the Blake name without lifting a match."
A pause. Then:
"Wow," Elara whispered. "You're more ruthless than I am."
"I've been friends with you for six years. I've learned survival."
They both laughed.
Elara sighed again and closed her eyes. "If I agree to this… it's not because I want him."
"I know."
"It's because I want to be free."
"And if anyone can keep your mother out of your life," Liv said with a grin, "it's the man who makes CEOs cry at board meetings."
Elara laughed. "That's what worries me."