Elena’s POV
Rafael’s small hand slipped into mine. He held me so tight as if he could feel danger around him all of a sudden.
I felt my heart beating so fast, but I forced myself to be steady.
Glenda walked forward towards our direction. The crowd parted without a word, as if they were really making a way for her. She took time taking every step. It was as if she wanted me to feel every step she took so I could feel that she had finally cornered me.
By the time she stopped, I couldn’t explain, but my throat felt dry. I told myself that I was once a warrior. I had faced enemies stronger than her, so I had to be brave to whatever this woman was about to say and do.
Glenda’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “We need to talk.”
And in that moment, I knew that whatever she had to say would cut me deeper.
I straightened. Every instinct from years of battle became alive inside of me again. I knew that would not be a very friendly meeting at all.
I could feel that there was something in her voice. Her sweetness was not genuine, and her smile was.
Rafael looked at me as if he could sense that something was not right.
Glenda’s eyes darted to Rafael and then diverted to me. Her smile became sharper, and I knew that she was ready to pierce at any time.
“What a sweet boy!” she murmured, and her eyes met mine again. “Or should I say your boy?”
It didn’t escape from my ear when the crowd gasped after hearing what she said. I could sense that everyone was pretending that they were shopping, but the truth was, they were all waiting for the next scene. I felt their stares pressing on my back like hot irons.
I swallowed and remained standing straight. I had faced men twice my size and brought them down on the ground, so this should be nothing for me.
“He’s my nephew,” I said in a firm voice.
“Nephew?” she repeated and smirked. “Is he? Strange because I heard something else about him. Some say otherwise,” she continued as if Rafael was not with us.
I clenched my jaw. So the rumours had already reached her. I wanted to fight as bravely as I could when I was on the battlefield, but how could I do that if Rafael was with me?
But before I could answer her accusation, another voice joined our conversation. It was low and yet so familiar to her. It was the voice that I wanted to forget for so long, and I wished I had never heard it again in my life.
“Elena,” he called my name.
“Bryson,” I coldly said. I wanted him to think and feel that I didn’t want to see him. No more excitement, just coldness was covering my heart at that very moment.
I looked at him sharply. My chest tightened as memories flashed in my mind. He moved towards us, and his mother’s arm looped around him.
His face was unreadable, the opposite of his mother’s. Courtney was obviously smirking. Her face was full of spite.
“Just when I thought that this market day would just be an ordinary day for me,” she said, and mockingly looked at me. “I never thought that I would bump into my ex–daughter–in–law, who is parading around with the child that everyone whispers about.”
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Rafael pressed against me, and I squeezed his hand to tell him that everything would be fine. I got him, and no one would hurt him as long as we were together.
Glenda stepped aside, enough to let them in, but not far enough from me. She was standing there with victory in her face. As if she had already won the battle we had with words.
Bryson’s eyes were fixed to Rafael before it shifted to me. Even though no words were coming out of his mouth, I saw the accusation and worst, the disappointment.
“You could have just been honest to me,” he flatly said.
Those words struck like a fist on my chest. I wanted to laugh bitterly after hearing what he said.
Honest? Really coming from him? Him who went back home after being away for a couple of years with another woman? How could he demand such a thing when he couldn’t give it to me when we were still husband and wife?
I wanted to say something and cut through my words too, but the marketplace wasn’t the right place to fight them.
“I am honest,” I snapped. My voice was steadier than I thought. “He is my nephew, and that is the truth. The truth and nothing but the truth.”
Glenda chuckled softly beside us as she folded her arms. Clearly, my words meant nothing to them. They were not open to listening to every word I said. “Funny how the truth can change depending on who is speaking.”
“It doesn’t really matter whether he is your son or nephew. What matters is the stain on your name, Elena. A stain that could also be in Deacon’s name. Who would want a wife who is whispered about? Who will follow a warrior who can’t even silence gossip circling about her?”
Her words struck deep inside me. I had been strong. I had led, found and commanded respect, but now what was going on? I was just there, standing, and my hands were shaking. I was clearly unable to shield myself and, most of all, Rafael from all the whispers circling around the palace inside and out.
Rafael looked at me, and my heart broke.
“Enough,” I said in a voice with a threat. I couldn’t let them see that I was becoming weak. That would be the last thing that I’d like to happen.
“Oh no, Elena, this is just the beginning of everything,” Glenda said with a wide smile on her face.
The crowd was still obviously listening to their conversation and waiting for the next blow to happen.
Bryce just stayed silent. I straightened. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me fall and weak.
“Rafael,” I said as I fixed my gaze on Glenda. “Stay close.”
“If you want to play this game, then play it. But don’t you dare use him.” I said in a firm voice, I could feel the tension between us grow larger. It was as if the whole marketplace held its breath.
Yes, I wouldn’t back down to anyone who would try to pull us down, especially Glenda. It she wanted to fight, then I would fight her with all my might.
Glenda smiled sharply and said, “Oh no, do you think this is about the boy? Elena, this is about you I want to show the world that you are not untouchable as you pretend to be.
And she stepped closer towards me. Bryson and his mother were just watching I knew that this was just the beginning of a war fought not with swords but whispers that would test everything I had left.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
