The clinking of cutlery and idle conversation filled the lavish dining room of the Reed family estate.
Elena sat at the far end of the long mahogany table, her back straight, her face composed. Dressed in a simple black dress and a sleek ponytail, she looked elegant, poised, unchanged.
But inside, she was boiling.
This room had once felt like home.
Now, it felt like a stage. And she was done playing the obedient daughter.
Seated at the head of the table, Richard Reed, her father, lifted his wine glass and smiled at her like a benevolent king.
"Nathan's birthday is this Saturday," he said smoothly, "The Hale family is hosting a private soirée. We'll all be attending, of course."
Of course.Because everything in the Reed household revolved around alliances, appearances, and politics. Not love. Not family.
Before, she would've nodded. Smiled. Worn the red dress her stepmother picked and stood silently beside Nathan like a porcelain doll.
But that Elena was dead.
"I won't be going," she said simply, slicing into her salmon without lifting her gaze.
Silence.
The whole table turned toward her like she'd just spoken another language.
Her stepmother blinked. Her half-sister choked on her drink. Even the butler froze.
Richard set down his wineglass, his jaw twitching.
"What did you just say?"
Elena finally looked up, her eyes calm, cool, distant.
"I said I'm not attending Nathan's birthday."
Her father's brow darkened. "Don't be ridiculous. You're his fiancée."
"Am I?" she asked softly, tilting her head. "I don't recall signing a contract."
"Elena," he snapped, his voice sharp. "This isn't a request. The Hale family is important"
"No, Nathan is important to you," she interrupted. "Not to me."
Her words dropped like a bomb.
Her stepmother gasped. Her half-sister smirked, watching with interest. Richard's face turned a shade darker.
"Elena, don't test me"
"I'm not." Her voice remained quiet, almost cold. "I'm just saying no."
The rest of the dinner passed in tense silence.
When it was over, Elena slipped outside into the crisp evening air, letting the wind cool the fire in her chest. She didn't have time to waste playing their games anymore.
She had enemies to outmaneuver. Secrets to uncover.
And right now, one of those enemies was approaching.
She heard his voice before she saw him.
"Elena."
She turned. Nathan Hale stood by the edge of the fountain, dressed in a tailored suit, his features sharp and flawless in the moonlight.
He looked like the man she had once loved.
But now she knew what hid behind that smile.
"I heard about dinner," he said carefully. "Are you alright?"
She smiled faintly. "Perfectly."
He stepped closer. "Then what's wrong?"
She let him come within arm's reach, close enough to smell the cologne she used to love.
Then she met his eyes with an unreadable expression.
"Nathan… let's take a break."