Chapter 6

Elara's POV

The diamond ring landed on the glass table with a crisp sound.

Lucas looked at that solitary ring, his pupils contracting sharply as he reached out to grab my wrist. "Elara, make yourself clear! What do you mean, breaking up? We're getting married soon!"

I dodged his touch, my eyes full of disgust. "Getting married? To whom? To the you who gave away the wedding venue to someone else, or to the you who put the substitute wedding ring around someone else's neck?"

"I told you that was temporary!" Lucas gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. "Why do you have to make a scene at a time like this? Serena has depression. She can't handle stimulation!"

"She can't handle stress, so I'm the one you humiliate?" My voice was low but firm.

"Seven years, Lucas. I cooked for you. I worked for your company. I gave up my own future in New York. I thought I could reach you. But I was wrong. It's not that you don't have a heart. You just gave it all to Serena."

"I didn't!" Lucas refuted in a panic, but his rebuttal seemed so pale and weak.

"You know the truth in your heart." I pulled my suitcase and walked out without any reluctance.

Serena stood in the living room. Watching this scene, she cried pitifully. "Elara, don't go. It's all my fault. I'll move out right away..."

"Shut up." I looked at Serena coldly. "Put away that nauseating act. It's revolting. This house, this man. I find them both dirty. I'm giving them to you."

With that, I pushed open the door and strode out.

The door slammed shut with a bang, blocking out Lucas's stunned face and Serena's fake crying.

Downstairs from the apartment, Theodore leaned against the car door, an unlit cigarette between his fingers. Seeing me come out with my suitcase, he immediately put the cigarette away. He strode forward and naturally took the suitcase from my hand.

"All cleaned up?" he asked in a low voice.

"Yeah." I took a deep breath of the outside air, feeling even my breathing become smoother.

Theodore looked at my resolute face, a satisfied arc curving his lips. He opened the passenger door and helped me into the seat.

"Let's go, Mrs. Holt. We're going home."

The car smoothly left that neighborhood, speeding toward the airport.

This time, I truly flew out of Lucas's world and would never look back.

Three hours later, the plane landed at New York airport.

I pushed my suitcase out of the terminal, looking at this city I'd left seven years ago, my eyes slightly warm. I was finally back, back to the place that truly belonged to me.

Theodore walked beside me, his tall, upright figure blocking the surrounding crowd for me. He glanced at me, deep tenderness hidden in his eyes. "Back to your place first, or come with me somewhere?"

I paused. "Where?"

Theodore didn't answer. He just smiled mysteriously and pulled me onto the Maybach that had been waiting outside.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a solemn, dignified building. Theodore was actually taking me to register our marriage!

"Really?" I turned to look at Theodore, my voice trembling slightly.

Theodore unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned close to me, his warm breath spraying on my ear.

"Elara, I never joke. Since I promised to marry you, I don't want to wait even one more second."

He looked at me steadily, his eyes showing undisguised aggression and determination. "I've prepared all the materials. Now, you have one last chance to back out."

I looked at this man before me. He didn't have Lucas's coldness and calculating nature, only full sincerity and determination.

I took a deep breath, unbuckled my seatbelt, and pushed open the car door. "Back out, and you're a coward."

Theodore laughed softly, caught up, and took my hand firmly.

When we completed the registration, I was still a little dazed. Had I really just married myself off like that?

Theodore looked at the marriage certificate. His eyes were practically smiling.

The caption was just one simple sentence: "I've finally married the one I love."