"Wait," Evelyn said suddenly. "You married her without telling her your true identity. That’s practically fraud."

"Evelyn, stop," Elias groaned.

But she completely ignored him. "Elena, don’t forgive him easily. Let him suffer a little. He deserves it."

Elias was already distressed. Hearing his sister make things worse only deepened his misery.

"Evelyn, can you keep your mouth shut for one minute?"

"Alright, alright." Evelyn held up her hands in surrender. "I’m not saying anything."

Elias let out a weary sigh as he turned to Elena and met her eyes. A pang of guilt twisted his chest.

Everything had been exposed in the worst possible way.

He regretted not telling her the truth sooner.

"I wanted to tell you. I thought I’d surprise you tonight."

A helpless smile touched his lips. "But not like this."

He held her hands gently. "Please, Elena. Don’t be mad."

His gaze turned earnest. "I didn’t mean to hide things from you. I just wanted to tell you at the right time, in a proper way."

His gaze turned pleading. "Believe me. I never intended to deceive you."

Elena searched his face carefully. She didn’t find any trace of dishonesty in his eyes. All she noticed was sincerity and a deep sense of regret.

He wasn’t lying like Noah. Instead, she saw a man who genuinely cared about her feelings.

It was true that he had kept things from her. But his intention had never been malicious.

Maybe he wasn’t sure about her at the time of marriage. Maybe he wanted some time before revealing his true identity.

She had already made a mistake by doubting him. She didn’t want to repeat it.

"I..."

Before she could speak, a knock interrupted her.

"Sir, your parcel," came Owen’s voice from the other side of the closed door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Owen entered carrying a large box wrapped in elegant gold paper.

"The dress you ordered is here." He handed it over.

A look of satisfaction crossed Elias’s face.

"Take Eve downstairs," he instructed.

"Of course." Owen took Evelyn’s hand and led her out.

Silence fell into the room once the door was closed behind them.

For several seconds, neither Elena nor Elias spoke.

Elias tightened his grip around the box. For the first time in years, he was nervous.

He had handled countless business meetings and faced rivals without hesitation. But standing in front of her, he couldn’t stop cold sweat from creeping into his brow.

"Are you... Are you angry with me?"

"I was," she replied honestly. "But not anymore."

Elias didn’t believe at first. His heart raced restlessly. "You mean you forgive me?"

The hope in his eyes was impossible to miss.

Elena stared at him thoughtfully for a long moment before saying, "I’ll forgive you in one condition. If you promise you will never hide things from me or never lie to me, I’ll forgive you."

A grin broke out on his face. Relief crashed over him in waves. "I promise. I’ll never keep secrets from you." His thumb brushed over her knuckles. "And I’ll never lie to you."

Tension from his shoulders eased. Then his eyes landed on the divorce papers still lying on the desk. A shadow crossed his eyes.

"So those divorce papers don’t mean anything anymore?"

Embarrassment flashed across Elena’s face. She picked up the documents and tore them apart.

"They meant nothing..."

A grin immediately broke across his features.

"Thank you." The warmth of his embrace surrounded her instantly.

Elena didn’t resist. She relaxed against him. The heaviness crushing her heart all day finally disappeared.

There was no resentment, disappointment, or regret—only peace.

"From now on, you are not allowed to mention divorce," he said in a low, warning tone.

Elena lifted her head to say something. But before she could speak, he lowered his forehead against hers.

"You’ve already frightened me enough for one lifetime."

The next moment, his lips crashed onto hers.

"Mm..." A soft sound escaped her throat. That sound was erotic.

His resistance crumbled. He held her tight as he deepened the kiss.

Elena placed her hands firmly against his chest. "Stop. The party is going on downstairs. Grandpa must be waiting for us."

Elias let out a deep sigh. He handed her the box.

"Go and change your dress."

Elena took the box and was about to turn when he yanked at her arm and drew her back.

"Tonight marks the end of your one-week ultimatum," he reminded her. A mischievous smile curled his lips upward. "I want my wife all to myself."

Elena’s heart skipped violently.

She had almost forgotten about it. Now that he had mentioned it, she remembered the agreement.

He had told her to give herself completely to him after seven days.

Seven days had already passed. And she had to fulfil the duty of his wife.

Elena’s cheeks flushed red.

The thought sent electric impulses down her spine. She couldn’t meet his eyes.

"Leave now." She pushed him away gently. "I need to change."

Elias smiled. "For now." His eyes lingered on her flushed face. "But remember what I said."

With that, he turned and left.

The moment the door closed behind him, Elena pressed both hands against her burning cheeks.

"Oh God..."

Her heart was beating so fast she thought it might burst from her chest.

She couldn’t stop thinking about his kiss, his hands around her, and the heat of his body. Her cheeks turned even redder.

She was shy and nervous, yet excited. Their misunderstandings had finally been resolved.

For the first time since their marriage, she no longer felt trapped between uncertainty and fear. She found herself looking forward to the future.

A nervous smile escaped her lips despite herself.

"What am I supposed to do now?" She buried her face in her hands.

In the hall...

The moment Elias reached the hall, someone suddenly rushed toward him.

"Elias." Before he could react, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around him.

"Elias. I have been looking for you."

Elias stiffened at first. When he realized who it was, his features twisted in frustration. He grasped her shoulders and pushed her back firmly.

"Vivian." His tone was sharp. "You are not a child anymore. Stop throwing yourself at me."

The smile on Vivian’s face vanished altogether.

"The hall is full of guests," Elias continued sternly. "Have some dignity."

For a brief second, hurt crossed her face. Then her smile resumed.

"I don’t care." She folded her arms. "Everyone here knows we have been close since childhood. And I’m your future wife. It’s only natural for me to hug you."

Elias’s face darkened, his annoyance deepening. "I am already married."

Vivian’s face ashen. Until now, part of her had convinced herself it was a rumor, an excuse, a lie to keep her away.

But hearing him say it himself so convincingly shattered that illusion.

"I don’t believe it," she snapped. "That marriage isn’t real. You hate women getting close to you. You avoided women like they were a plague. And now, you suddenly claimed that you married a stranger. That’s impossible."

Elias chuckled dryly. "Believe it or not, I am married. And I love my wife."

Vivian felt as if her heart had been ripped apart.

Love?

He had never used that word for anyone before. Yet he used it so easily when speaking about another woman.

He pointed a finger at her, his tone laced with warning. "Stay out of my way."

He strode past her.

Vivian stomped her foot, her nails digging into her palms. Anger, jealousy, hatred – all churned violently inside her.

"Married or not... I don’t care. You are mine, Elias. And I’ll make you mine."

A dangerous glint sparked in her eyes. "If that woman comes between us, I’ll make sure she disappears."