Chapter 4

"Vanessa."

His voice was low. His eyes lingered on my swollen cheek for three seconds.

I thought he would reprimand her.

Dominic spoke.

"I'm sorry, Elara. I'll apologize on Vanessa's behalf. As compensation, I'll make sure the wedding in one month is even more spectacular."

Vanessa smiled. She hooked her arm through his.

My whole body locked up.

A sharp ache burned behind my eyes.

Before I could answer, he led her away.

The parking garage fell silent.

I stood there, the numbness in my cheek spreading.

I finally accepted the truth.

Dominic didn't care that Vanessa abandoned him back then.

He knew she hit me. He knew she schemed against me. He knew exactly what she was.

And yet.

He loved her.

Vanessa was right. I lost. Completely.

The first time I lost was three years ago.

She texted me out of nowhere. Told me Dominic kept her picture in his wallet. No one was allowed to touch it.

I didn't believe her. I found the photo that night anyway.

After I threw it away, Dominic blew up at me for the first time ever.

The second time I lost was a year ago.

Vanessa said Dominic always visited her mother on May sixth, her mother's birthday. Always.

That day was my mother's birthday too.

I begged him. Could he please cut ties with Vanessa's family? Could he please come home with me?

Dominic shook me off cold and walked away without looking back.

The third time I lost was at the wedding.

He left me without a second thought. Ran straight to her.

Just now. That was the fourth time...

I shoved every emotion down. I was about to start the car when my mother called.

She was screaming and sobbing on the other end.

"Elara, your father, he..."

My pupils contracted. A violent terror seized my body. I shook uncontrollably as I raced to the hospital.

All that was waiting for me was a body under a white sheet.

My legs gave out. I rushed forward and fell to my knees. I touched him, so careful, so gentle.

"Dad?"

Tears streamed down my face like a river. I screamed through a raw throat. "Dad!"

"What happened? He was fine yesterday! How did this happen?"

My mother was barely conscious from crying beside me.

"A woman sent your father a text. Said you'd been completely abandoned. Told him to convince you to let go."

I shut my eyes hard.

Vanessa.

Dominic appeared then. His face was twisted with guilt.

"I'm sorry, Elara."

He wrapped his arms around my shaking, raging body. "Vanessa wasn't trying to hurt anyone. She was just scared, she..."

I shoved him off me.

I shook my head, consumed by a grief so black I couldn't see straight. My voice cracked with sobs.

"Dominic Ashford, how did I ever love someone like you..."

"Get out! Get out!"

His face went pale. He let out an exhausted sigh.

"I'll make it up to you. The wedding is already being planned. In one month, I'll send Vanessa away and build a good life with you."

"Take some time. Calm down."

He turned and left.

I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, nothing was left inside them but ice and hatred.

The next morning, my mother and I buried my father.

Then I bought a plane ticket and left this place forever.

But before I left, I contacted the hotel manager handling Dominic's wedding. I wired him a hundred thousand dollars. I told him to deliver three gifts to Dominic in one month.

Three surprises.

He would never forget them for the rest of his life.