I didn’t answer. My throat was raw, and my chest felt heavy, but the ache in my heart was worse.
“You need to leave him,” my father said firmly. “I mean it. He doesn’t care about you. He doesn’t even respect you.”
“D-dad…”
“No.” He cut me off. “Listen to me. There’s an arranged marriage proposal on the table. He’s from a strong pack, and he’ll treat you like you deserve. The wedding is in five days.”
I blinked at him, trying to process what he was saying. “Five days?”
“Yes,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s time to move on, Elara. Damon doesn’t deserve you.”
He was right. Deep down, I knew it. But knowing and accepting were two very different things.
He took a deep breath before continuing. “I’ll head back home first. There’s a company meeting I need to attend. Lydia called me when she heard you were in the pack hospital because of your allergy. I only came because I knew you’d never ask for help.”
I winced at the mention of Aunt Lydia’s call, the reminder that my family was watching over me even when I tried to hide everything.
He softened slightly but then reminded me, “End things with Damon as soon as possible, Elara. You need to be on the next plane home. It’s time to move forward.”
His words hung in the air, and I felt the weight of them in my chest. There was no going back.
***
When I got back to my place, my phone buzzed with a flood of messages from my Dad. Venues, dresses, flower arrangements—it was overwhelming. I scrolled through his texts until I found one that hit me hard.
[If he cared, he wouldn’t have let ten years pass without committing. Stop wasting your time.]
I sighed, sending him a quick voice note. “Just pick whatever you think is best for your only daughter, Dad. Let’s keep this wedding simple.”
As I put my phone down, Damon walked in.
“Who were you talking to?” he asked, his tone suspicious.
“No one important,” I said, tucking my phone away.
His eyes narrowed. “What’s this about a wedding?”
My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to stay calm. “Nothing. Just family stuff.”
He stepped closer, but before he could press further, his phone rang.
“Damon!” Serena’s panicked voice came through the line. “Someone’s following me. I’m so scared!”
His expression instantly shifted to concern. “Where are you?”
“I’m near the woods. Can you come get me?”
Without another word, he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door.
He didn’t even look back.