Elara arrived at Joshua's penthouse in the middle of the night. The moment she opened the door, the sight of a wreck welcomed her in.
Bottles were scattered across the coffee table. Untouched food sat forgotten on a tray and the air was thick with the scent of something stale.
And then she saw him on one of the leather chairs, his features dulled by exhaustion. His dark hair was unkempt and his face looked so raw. At the sound of her entrance, his head snapped up.
Before Elara could say a word, he was on his feet, rushing toward her with unsteady strides. His hands found hers when he got close enough.
"Tell me you don't love him," he suddenly demanded, to Elara's surprise.
"Tell me." He repeated
The question and its abruptness left her stunned. She opened her mouth, but hesitation held the words back. Why would Joshua ask her such a question? And why did it, for some reason, feel wrong? It was as if she was doing something wrong.
Elara swallowed hard. "I don't even know him."
Elara finally blurted out, blinking rapidly, as if that would clear the sudden dizziness in her mind. Joshua's grip didn't loosen, but the cracks on his face disappeared to show something close to relief.
Then, with a new expression which she could not immediately interpret, he took a step forward and delivered his next words like a blow to the face.
"Leo doesn't love you either. You were just…eh..convenient."
Elara stiffened but said nothing. It wasn't exactly making any sense. Love? Who said she wanted Leo to Love her? Hell no! It would be better if he hates her enough to initiate divorce by himself.
But hold on, how did Joshua know he didn't? Joshua sank onto the couch, running a hand through his messy hair.
"Look," he muttered as if reading her mind.
"I've..I've done my research okay. Leo Watson has a reputation for never doing anything without a reason. I don't know how, but this guy must have tricked you; he must have played some legal…or, you know, some paperwork game, manipulated some contract. I believe he married you because he needed to. But if we push him the right way… he'll let you go. I know it."
Elara studied him carefully.
True, Leo looked like a schemer, but this was definitely not about some simple paperwork trick. Not after everything she had seen in the last 24 hours. The memory of her telling Leo to marry her, the image of her parents standing at his party.
None of this was random. Leo hadn't just pulled strings. He had rewoven the entire damn fabric. Seriously, he couldn't have gained control of my mind, could he? As that would be the perfect reason for the memory flash.
But that wasn't her focus right now. She needed a way out.
"And what's the right way? You spoke about a solution on the phone."Elara reminded him with narrowed eyes.
Joshua hesitated, looking away with his hands on his waist, then he turned back to her. His voice was low and coaxing.
"Make him believe how much you love me."
Elara's brows pulled together. Make him believe? How else could that be done? Her eyes almost popped out when she realised what he meant.
"You want me to… cheat?" She mumbled with her face partially squeezed.
Joshua let out a hollow laugh. "Cheat? What are you even saying, Elara? Don't tell me you are actually taking this marriage stuff seriously. Does being with me mean cheating on him?"
Elara didn't respond. She probably wouldn't have asked that. But there was this thing in his eyes, something dark, something unsteady. It was making her uncomfortable. Making me say the wrong things.
Then, very quickly, he jumped to his feet. Startling her by the sudden movement. Joshua stepped closer, his voice much softer now, and dangerously hypnotic.
"Have my baby, Elara."
Her heart nearly stopped. She gasped, alarm surging through her. The meaning of his words settled into her bones. But Joshua didn't change his attitude. If anything, his grip on reality seemed to be slipping even further away.
"What?" Elara finally let out.
He was losing his mind. The next thing she knew, his hands had flown to her waist, yanking her closer to himself.
"If you're carrying my child, he won't want you anymore," he whispered, sounding almost feverish. "He'll throw you away himself."
Elara couldn't believe his words. She could not help but spit in disgust, shoving him back. "You're insane!"
Joshua barely stumbled. Instead, he grabbed her wrist this time.
"You love me, Elara," he said sharply, his eyes boring into my own…You always have."
A chilly feeling was growing in her chest, it was the smell of fear. She yanked against his hold harshly, his presence was suffocating her.
"Let me go, Joshua." She yelled with her heart beating fast. He leaned in with his warm breath touching the tip of her nose.
"You were mine first."
That was it.
Elara twisted her wrist with all the strength she had, stumbling back toward the door. Joshua groaned in frustration, ready to leap at her again.
Then her phone rang, interrupting the struggle. It came from the couch. The screen lit up, displaying an unknown number.
They both saw it and without a second thought, she stumbled forward, snatching it up with trembling fingers. But the next minute, Joshua hit the phone off her hand.
" What the fuck was that for, Joshua?" Elara screamed, her face turning pale from anger. Yet Joshua was unhinged. He drew her closer to himself.
Elara tried to push him away. She was getting really pissed off. She was sure Leo was the one calling her.
"Have my baby, Elara," he whispered to her again. "He'll throw you away himself once he realises you're pregnant. He won't marry a woman who is already pregnant with another man's child."
"Joshua , no. That's... that's insane!"
"Oh, come on, Elara!" His hand came around to cup her cheek. "You know you want it. A part of me inside you, growing and changing you. Tying us together, forever!"
Elara was at her breaking point. She turned her face away, trying to break free of his grasp. "Stop it, Joshua. This isn't you."
But he didn't stop. If anything, her pleas seemed to encourage him. His hand slid down to her throat, squeezing lightly. "It's exactly who I am, Elara. This is the man you fell in love with, the man you're betraying."
Elara tried to push him away, but he was stronger than she was. His other hand moved down to her waist, his fingers digging into her behind.
"Joshua , please," she pleaded with him. "Don't do this."
"Shh," he whispered and brushed his lips against hers. "Just relax."
Elara turned her head away again, but he followed, his lips trailing down her neck. She felt his hand slide under her shirt, his fingers cold against her skin. She tried to grab his wrist and pull his hand away, but he was too strong.
"Joshua," she gasped, struggling against him. "Stop!"
He moved his hand up her dress, cupping her molds through her bra. She felt his hips press against hers. She could feel his erection even through his jeans.
"Please," Elara whimpered, tears streaming down her face. "Don't do this."
But he ignored her pleas.
Joshua's other hand eased into her panties, his fingers finding their mark. Elara screamed and tried to push him away, but he was too strong. He pinned her to the wall with his hand against her throat.
"Joshua ," she kept trying to stop him amidst her tears. "Please stop!"
"Shut up, bitch!" Joshua roared and clawed at her clothes. He ripped the dress open, popping the buttons off.
"Beautiful," he murmured, his hands roaming over her exposed skin. "You're mine, Elara. You'll always be mine."
Elara struggled against him more rapidly, and her fingers found something ceramic beside her. In desperation, she grabbed whatever it was and smacked it against his head.
Joshua roared in pain and surprise, and collapsed on the ground. With one hand holding up her dress, Elara staggered away from him. She stared at the man writhing on the ground in disbelief.
He looked up at her from the floor with glassy and unfocused eyes.
"Elara?" he slurred. "What... what happened?"
Elara gave him a look of horror. How could he not remember? How could he not know what he tried to do?
She turned and ran, fleeing from the house and the man she once loved. She ran until her lungs burned and her legs gave out. Until she collapsed in a heap on the sidewalk.