Chapter 48: The painful past.
A wave of chills spread across her spine. Elena’s heart trembled at his words. She couldn’t imagine the horror and pain a ten-year-old boy might have gone through.
"That incident still haunts me," Elias continued to speak. "Even to this day, I still wake up in the middle of the night with a start, afraid history would repeat itself."
Emotion swept through her. "Elias." Her voice was barely above a whisper, her fingers intertwining with his.
"My family shattered in just one night," he said. "And I still don’t know who those killers were. I feel useless, cowardly, and guilty. I couldn’t protect them. I couldn’t even find those who had slaughtered them."
His fingers trembled against her grip, his heart lurching.
"Sometimes, I feel like I failed them."
"No..." Elena interrupted him. "It’s not your fault. You were just a child. How could you possibly fight with those killers? So don’t blame yourself."
The corners of his mouth lifted. Even while carrying her own wounds, she still found the strength to comfort him.
His admiration for her deepened even more. He reached up and caressed her face.
Elena forgot how to move under his intense gaze. Her skin tingled at the contact. Flustered, she moved back instantly, her face turning pink.
Elias didn’t care. He moved in closer to her. "I told you my story. Now, it’s your turn."
She turned her head toward him, surprised. She had rarely talked about her parents, about her pain.
"I..."
"My friend once told me that pain becomes lighter when it’s shared," Elias said, noticing her reluctance. "I never believed him before."
A smile appeared on his face. "But now I do. I feel much lighter."
Elena smiled a little, amazed. Then emotion surged inside her. Tears welled up in her eyes, but her chest filled with warmth.
"I-I..." Elena could barely form a sentence.
Elias wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Take your time."
The gentle reassurance broke down the last of her defenses.
Elena leaned into him. Sobs wrecked her body.
She recalled something that she had buried deep inside her, something she hated to talk about. But tonight, she wanted to tell him everything.
"My mother," she started slowly. "She left my father and me when I was only five."
That was a shocking revelation. Elias’s eyebrows creased.
"I heard them arguing often," she continued. "She constantly complained that Dad couldn’t buy her expensive gifts or a bigger house. She wanted a luxurious life that he couldn’t give her."
As she spoke, her chest filled with bitterness. "In the end, she left us."
Her lips trembled as she fought with her tears. "She broke ties with us just to marry a rich guy. She didn’t care about my father."
Her throat hurt. "She didn’t care about me."
The pain she had buried for years spilled out uncontrollably.
"My father raised me. My aunt never even married because she wanted to help take care of me. They didn’t let me feel the emptiness my mother left in my life. I was happy."
A bittersweet smile touched her lips. "But then, everything collapsed."
Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. She still remembered that night.
"It was drizzling that night," she continued. "Dad had just returned from the office. I insisted he buy me a chocolate cake. He told me he was tired and promised he would buy it the next day. But I pressed on."
She almost choked out. She couldn’t speak for a while.
"I threw tantrums," she managed, her voice thickening. "So he went out to buy it for me. But he never returned."
The words shattered into sobs.
Elias rubbed her back in soothing circles.
"He got into an accident. And he couldn’t make it."
The pain remained as sharp as ever despite the years that had passed.
"Before he died, he had signed up to donate his organs." She swallowed hard. "His kidneys were donated to Richard Sinclair."
Elias’s expression turned solemn. Something crossed his mind.
"How did that accident happen?" Elias asked. "What did the police say?"
"As I said, it was raining. The police said he lost control of the car."
Elias fell silent. He had not known so much had happened with her. The suffering she had endured was no less than his own.
Yet despite everything, she had remained brave, confident, and resilient. Surprisingly, the current Elean was nothing like the girl he had seen in school.
What had the Sinclair family and Noah done to her over the years that changed her totally?
His heart ached. He hated seeing her suffer.
"From now on, I’ll protect you." He cupped her face, his eyes full of unwavering determination. "I won’t let you suffer anymore."
Elena’s chest swelled up with warmth.
The promise in his eyes and the certainty in his voice touched something deep inside her. For the first time in days, she thought she had found someone she could trust again.
"Elias," she said softly, putting a hand on his. "I promise to be a good wife. I’ll be loyal to you. But if you ever become interested in someone else, please let me know. Don’t betray me."
"I promise," he said without hesitation. "In this lifetime, there is only one woman in my life—and that’s you, Elena. I don’t want anyone else. I’ll never betray you."
Elena didn’t know why, but she believed every word he had said. She smiled, genuinely this time.
The sight stole his breath away.
Her cheeks were still flushed from crying, making her look fragile and beautiful at the same time. She seemed heartbreakingly vulnerable, yet irresistibly alluring.
Elias could barely control himself. The desire he had tried to suppress rose violently. He wanted to taste her lips and feel the softness of her skin. He wished for nothing but to make her his right away.
His throat went dry.
Every instinct urged him to close the distance, press her down, and claim her. His breathing grew uneven as he leaned in, his lips inches away from hers.
But he wasn’t kissing her as if he was waiting for her permission, giving her the chance to pull back.
This time, Elena didn’t retreat. She didn’t push him away either. She simply remained still.
Seeing no resistance, Elias gently pressed his lips against hers.
The moment their lips touched, warmth exploded through his chest. She tasted sweeter than anything he had imagined.
He had wanted this ever since he had married her. It was finally happening now, and he found himself craving more.
Her lips were delicate beneath his. Every second made his desire deepen.
Across from him, Elena’s heart skipped wildly. His mouth tasted like mint, fresh and soft. And it was drawing her in.
For a moment, she found herself relaxing.
His kiss was gentle and unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world. It was nothing like Noah’s overwhelming and possessive kiss.
Her heart sank as soon as Noah’s thought crossed her mind. She instantly pulled back, heart pounding nervously against her ribcage.
How could she think about him when she was with Elias?
She was irritated with herself. But the guilt crashing inside her was even more consuming. She had asked Elias never to betray her.
But what was she doing? Thinking about Noah while her husband was right with her?
It felt wrong. Almost like a betrayal.
Her fingers clenched the fabric of her nightdress against her chest.
On the other end, Elias looked completely bewildered. Everything had been going just fine. Why had she pulled back all of a sudden?
"What’s wrong, Elena?" he demanded, his tone thick with hurt. "Don’t you want me to kiss you?"
"I..." Words failed her. She had no explanation. "I-I am not ready yet." She gave the old excuse. "I need more time."
Elias let out a sigh in frustration. His body was burning with desire. But he couldn’t force her, no matter how badly he wanted her. He felt helpless.
"Fine," he said begrudgingly. "I will give you a week. Seven days from now, I want my wife fully."
Elias held her chin and made her meet his gaze. "And after that, I will claim you. You are not allowed to think about him anymore."