Elara’s POV 

“Don’t You Ever Touch What Belongs to Me.”

The night was cold and heavy with silence as I stood by the gate with two suitcases at my feet and my heart in my throat. The mansion I once called home was now behind me like a tomb, and all I wanted was to get far, far away. I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers and dialed Grandpa.

His voice was already covered with sleep, but the moment he heard my broken whisper, “Grandpa… I’m ready,” he said only one thing.

“I’ll send the driver.”

Less than thirty minutes later, a black Prado pulled up in front of the estate. I climbed in, hugging myself the whole ride, trying to believe this wasn’t a dream.

When I arrived at the mansion, the gate flung open before we even honked. Grandpa stood outside, still in his night robe, and under the porch light.

“Welcome back home, child,” he said, with his arms wide, and his eyes watery.

I ran into them. Tears spilled from my eyes as I whispered, “I’m sorry, Grandpa. I’m so sorry…”

He patted my back and pulled away slightly to look at me.

“Don’t cry again. You are home now, and you have made an old man happy. And for this reason,” he smiled, wiping my tears, “I will throw a lavish party for your homecoming. I’ll invite all the dignitaries in the city. It’s time they remembered who you are.”

I managed a tearful chuckle.

“So go and freshen up,” he added, “because tomorrow… is a big day.”

*************************************

The ballroom glittered under chandeliers. Golden ribbons, cream drapes, roses in tall vases. Every inch of the room screamed elegance, wealth, and legacy.

I walked among the guests, my heels clicking on the marble floor, trying to hold my head high. My custom emerald gown hugged my body perfectly. Cameras flashed. Champagne glasses clinked and laughter echoed. But inside me… was curiosity.

I had snuck Adrian’s name onto the guest list. I don’t know why. Maybe it was closure I needed or maybe I wanted him to see what he threw away.

I looked around, and my heart was pounding. What if he showed up? What if he didn’t?

Before Adrian, I had purpose. I was trained to be the next CEO of my family business, to lead, and to build empires. But then I saw him… and everything else faded. Now, standing in this ballroom, filled with power and grace, I realized I had come full circle.

I was nervous about the man Grandpa had chosen for me to marry. I hadn’t met him. I didn’t know what he looked like, what kind of heart he carried. But one thing was clear, I was home. And I finally belonged here.

Adrian’s POV

The moment I saw the invitation, I grinned.

A homecoming event for the granddaughter of Revas Group’s chairman? That was huge.

Clearly, life was beginning to favor me again. No more Elara to drain my energy with endless emotions. This event was my ticket to upgrade. If I played my cards right, I could find someone richer, weaker, and more useful. After all, I was single now.

I arrived in a clean tux, hired on rent. No one needed to know. The venue was like nothing I’d seen before. Crystal chandeliers. People were dressed in luxury. And Foreign accents. I nodded, moving like I belonged.

Then came the announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen… the heiress of the Revas Group… Elara Revas!”

I nearly dropped my wine glass.

“What?!” I gasped under my breath. I stared at the staircase. And there she was….Elara.

My Elara.

Descending like royalty in that green gown, her hair was swept up, with diamonds dancing on her neck like it was common.

No. No, no, no. This couldn’t be real. I wasn't dreaming, right? The Elara I threw out of my house two nights ago…

The Elara I mocked and dismissed…Was this Elara? I couldn’t breathe.

I waited for the event to end. My feet tapped nervously, and my eyes never left her. As soon as the final toast was made, I pushed through the crowd and caught her alone near the terrace doors.

“Elara!” I called.

She turned slowly, but her face was unreadable.

“What do you want, Adrian?”

“You’re the Revas heiress? You’ve been this woman all along?”

She raised a brow. “Does it matter now?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I stepped closer, and my hands were literally shaking. “If I had known, I…”

She cut in coldly. “Would you have treated me better?”

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.

The slap that came after was too fast, loud, and hard. It was sharp enough to make the few remaining guests nearby turn their heads.

“You bastard,” she said, in a strong tone. “I gave you years of my life. I loved you with everything in me. And now you tell me you would’ve only treated me right if you knew I was rich?”

“I didn’t mean it like that!”

“You meant every word, Adrian. You always do. You just don’t expect consequences.”

I grabbed her arm. “Elara, listen. We can annul the divorce. We can fix this. It’s not too late…”

But she struggled against me, trying to pull away. “Let go of me! You’re pathetic, Adrian!”

“Elara, please!”

“Let. Me. Go!”

But I wouldn’t. I had made a very costly mistake. Then suddenly, another hand grabbed my hand and yanked me backward.

I turned immediately to look at the person who dared to push me away from my wife. Surprisingly, a tall man stepped between us. He looked sophisticated and powerful. He was wearing a Midnight-black suit, with striking eyes, and a dangerous calmness.

He looked at me like he was a fly in my soup.

“Don’t you ever touch what belongs to me,” the man said.

My mouth dropped and I staggered back. “Who… who the hell are you?”

Even Elara was frozen. I believed she didn’t know him either. But the way he stood beside her protectively….. like he owned her.

He turned slightly to look at me, and something in his eyes made my stomach flip.

“Who the hell are you?” I demanded.