Chapter 8
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
“What? Canceled?“someone exclaimed.
“What’s going on?“another asked, confusion written across their face.
“The Victor–Whitlock alliance is falling apart…“a whisper floated above the noise.
Serena, her white gown shimmering under the lights, rushed to Kael. Her eyes were wide with panic as she gripped his arm.
“Kael, what do you mean by this?“she demanded. “Are you out of your mind? Everyone is watching! How can I face the guests? What
about the Whitlock family’s reputation?”
“Did that little witch say something to you?“Serena spat, venom in her voice. “She’s your adversary! You’re willing to throw away our
engagement for the daughter of a homewrecker?”
Kael’s expression darkened. He pushed her away, creating a distance he hadn’t felt before.
“Serena, listen carefully. Elara is my sister. Mind your words, “he said, low and menacing. “For every day she’s missing, the
engagement will be postponed. If she’s gone for a month, our engagement is delayed a month. You pray she’s safe, because if she
isn’t, you will answer to me.”
He turned and strode out of the hall, his footsteps echoing. His father’s furious calls rang behind him, but he ignored them, lost in his
own thoughts.
As he slid into the driver’s seat, Matteo came running, breathless.
“Kael! What are you doing? You’ve been planning this for six years, and now you just walk away? What will your father tell the
guests? And Serena?”
“They can deal with it themselves. This was his idea from the start. I need to find Elara,“Kael said, his voice hard. “Dead or alive, I’m
bringing her back.”
Matteo exhaled sharply, knocking on the car window. When Kael rolled it down, Matteo leaned closer.
“Kael, are you sure it’s hatred you feel for Elara? You may not admit it, but your feelings crossed a line long ago. Remember skipping
that negotiation for her, staying up all night when she was sick. Does that sound like how you treat an enemy? If she had shown up
today, could you have humiliated her in front of everyone?”
“You’ve been using Serena to hide from the truth. You can fool the world, but not your own heart. Don’t let hatred cloud your
judgment. Your father knows the past. Talk to him, “Matteo urged, stepping back,
Kael slammed the gas. The car surged forward, tires screeching, Matteo’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind. He realized he could
never have been that cruel to Elara. His anger had blinded him, masking the truth he could no longer ignore.
By the time he admitted it to himself, it was too late.
At the next red light, panic seized him. He typed message after message on an encrypted app.
“Elara, I’m so sorry. I love you. Please forgive me. Come back. I’ll spend my life making it right.”
Each message failed. She had blocked him, erasing him from her life.
His phone rang. One of his men spoke urgently.
14:31 D
My Fiancé and Best Friend Tre…
13.2%
“Boss, we searched the accident site. The car burned completely. We found some remains… and an ID card. It’s charred, but…”
Kael took the
d evidence bag. Inside was a blackened ID card. Faintly, he could make out the letters: Elara Sterling.
His breath caught. The reality crashed down like a tidal wave.
