Chapter 4 Elian's decision

Elian's eyes narrowed angrily and his jaw clenched in defiance insisting on the marriage. The tension between them becomes more as Luna speaks with confidence but with phobia and caution.

"I'll never marry you," Elian spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Luna's gaze was still blurry and met Elian's gaze, she felt a shiver run down her spine.

"I'll never marry you either," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear and pain.

The air was thick with tension as they glared at each other and the silence between them was a breathing thing.

In shock, Luna sensed Elian's gaze on her and she felt exposed and vulnerable. She tried to look away but her eyes seemed rooted to his eyes and they were unable to tear themselves free.

Elian's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, his anger and resentment palpable. Luna felt like she was drowning in their depths of suffocation under the weight of his hostility.

Suddenly, Elian's face twisted in a snarl and he turned away with his movements abrupt and violent. Luna breathed a sigh of relief but it was short-lived.

The butler's voice cut through the silence, his words a stark reminder of the situation. "You have no choice," he said, his tone firm. "Your grandparents will not be denied. You will marry, and you will do it soon."

Elian's eyes flashed with anger but before he could respond, the butler intervened with a firm voice.

"Elian, your grandparents' will is clear: if you do not marry Luna, the family fortune will be lost. Forever." He explained.

"Hmmm" Elian took a deep breath with his face twisted in a snarl, he knew he had no choice than to do her family's will but still he had to try to reject it. With a growl, he turned to Luna with his eyes blazing with resentment.

"Fine," he spat. "I'll marry you. But be prepared, Luna. I will not make this easy for you." He added.

Luna's eyes widened with fear and uncertainty etched on her face. She knew she was trapped and caught in a web of Elian's family's making.

The butler nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Excellent. I will make the necessary arrangements. You will be married within the week."

Elian's gaze never left Luna's face with his eyes burning with a threatening intensity. "You'd better be ready, Luna. I won't hesitate to make you regret this." He yielded.

Luna looks so worried ,her mind reeling with the implications. She was trapped, forced to marry a man who despised her and she knew she had to find a way to escape before it was too late.

Elian stormed out of the room leaving Luna with Ryker's watchful gaze. He couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped and forced into a marriage he didn't want. He left the room immediately and headed home to question her mom himself.

As he arrived home, he found his mother and grandmother deep in conversation. He burst into the room without knocking with his anger boiling over him.

"Why?" he demanded, his voice harsh. "Why must I marry her?" He screamed.

Eliana's mother and grandmother exchanged a glance with their expressions guarded.

"It's all to protect our family, Elian," his mother said, her voice soothing.

But Elian was having none of it. "Protect our family from what? From whom?" He yelled.

His grandmother's eyes narrowed, her voice firm. "You'll do as you're told, Elian. This is not a matter for discussion."

Elian's frustration grew with his anger simmering just below the surface. He knew he was being manipulated but he couldn't figure out why.

"I won't do it," he spat, turning to leave.

As he was about to hold out his grandmother's words stopped him cold. "If you don't, Elian, you'll regret it. Our family's future depends on it." And his mind raced, trying to make sense of their cryptic words. But one thing was certain, he was trapped and he didn't know the way out.

Elian's shoulders slumped in defeat with his voice barely above a whisper as he turned back to them.

"Fine. I'll marry her. But on my own terms, not because I'm being forced to." He explained.

Elian's mother and grandmother exchanged a triumphant glance with their faces etched with relief.

Elian left them alone with a great burden of responsibility and picked up his phone to dial Ryker's number..

"Take Luna to a safe place for now." Elian ordered.

Ryker turns to Luna after the call with his expression neutral. "Let's go," he said, offering Luna his arm and helping her to the car.

Luna embraced his hand with thoughts of what lay ahead,she walked slowly and made his way to the car with Ryker's help. As they reached the car, Luna felt a sudden wave of unease. Her stomach churned and she doubled over vomiting onto the pavement.

Ryker's eyes widened in surprise but he quickly regained his composure.

"Get in the car, Luna. I'll get you out of here." He yielded angrily.

Luna quickly clean herself up but still feeling a terrible uneasy and she also

noticed something strange. Her vision seemed more clear. She could see the outline of Ryker's face, the shape of the car.

"Ryker," she whispered, her eyes wide with wonder but she kept it to himself. "Where are you taking me to Ryker?" she asked.

Ryker's expression softened, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Get in the car, Luna. We'll take care of you."

Luna's heart raced as she settled into the car with her mind reeling with the implications. "Was her sight returning? And what did it mean for her future" she thought to herself with possibilities.