The Blackmail contract Bride - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

DOMINO POV:
“Isn’t that a bit too much? You’re really going to leave her with them? You have to have some heart,” Cane, my right hand man snapped. He was walking around the car like he could not come to terms with what I had just done.
His expression showed that same kind of bafflement—like he did not understand the figure infront of him that was me.
I couldn’t blame him. Not for a moment. I did not recognize myself.
Cane saw me gritting my teeth whilst staring straight ahead of me. No instruments at my disposal and my senses honed in on the engine, which purred under my hands. The silence in the car was unbearable, only broken by Cane’s harsh breaths.
“She was crying for you. You left her crying. I cannot believe you would do such a thing,” he said, now low again. Maybe if he softened his tone, I would listen to reason.
But I didn’t need reminding. Those broken sobs were etched into my skull. Every trembling breath. Every word she said as I walked away.
I thought I was setting a boundary for us in the long run. Not that it even mattered now.
The look she gave me as I was walking out—possibly the most haunting thing I have ever witnessed— as if I had just obliterated reality as she knew it.
“Those sounds… I don't think there exists any sane human who would not lose their mind being subjected to such sounds,” I said to myself thinking out loud the sounds so faint nobody would be able to listen to me.
My jaw ached because of how rigidly tight I clenched it. I was ready to punch the dashboard, go to war with my voice, or better yet, rewind time and hug the demon who had the audacity to caress her neck until he disintegrated into nothing.
“Within the next few moments you will have fallen head over heels for her.” Cane stated without an inflection. “And you have to come to terms with that.”
I decided that there was no need for me to say anything.
“Would she have the same feelings for you? I sincerely doubt it.” he said now with a lesser volume. “What the heck am I saying? Of course, she won’t. Not after what you did.”
“Enough,” I retorted while I could feel my hands morphing into fists around the steering wheel.
“No. You need to hear this, Domino. You speak so boldly about protecting her but it’s you who has hurt her the most. You left her with a pack of wolves and pretended you didn’t give a damn.”
“Cane,” I growled.
He didn’t relent. “Just accept it. You would rather run than confront what you feel.”
I forced the brakes down.
The wheels cried out with an ear-piercing sound and the vehicle rocked forward before stopping suddenly on the gravel side of the road. Cane’s body was thrown forward, and he had to brace himself against the dashboard. I focused ahead and tried to control my breathing which was rapid.
"I suppose I am not going to let her die at the hands of her enemies without putting up a fight," I hissed with a clenched jaw. "I’m a ‘bad guy’ as you like to say. In reality, I am far from a monster."
Reality slapped me across the face as an unwanted reminder.
There was no way I could just leave her.
I pushed the door aside and walked into the night, the wind chilling my skin as if the world was trying to remind me of my actions.
They had taken her. I knew exactly where she'd been dumped. No one knew the area better than myself. I had studied and committed to memory every path, every shortcut. My instincts kicked in as I sprinted into the forest, my breath coming out in sharp gulps.
Maps and headlights weren’t necessary.
All that was required was the trail of vanilla and something gentler, a scent reminiscent of a rain-drenched lily.
Faint, but unmistakable.
My Lena.
The one I had promised myself I didn't require.
The one I had just ungraciously betrayed with silence and distance.
Moonlight poured down through the trees, illuminating the way in front of me. As I bolted down a dirt path behind the manor, I could feel my head thumping and legs on fire from the effort. Shadows swirled around me with every step I took.
“Elena," I whispered in disbelief.
Like a specter lifted from the dark, she hovered in front of me. Her the coat danced with wind, and her gaze which was recognized yet harsh fixed on me.
I asked, “What the hell are you doing out here?” in a stuttering tone.
“Breathe,” she said, that perfect blonde head slightly bowing, moonlight reflecting off golden locks. “You were going to her.”
“Don’t have time for this,” I replied and moved.
Her voice becoming fragile, “_You can't_ go back to her, Domino. Not after what we had.” Her trembling form blocked me again.
With reticence in my voice, “Put Elena aside,” I claimed.
For the first time, “No,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You owe me this moment.”
I relaxed, touchy yet impatient was my body language while on the inside my fire was mixed with exasperation.
“I’ve loved you for years,” she whispered. “And you know it. I helped you when others left. I assisted in your rise to success. I was with you when everyone wanted to see your downfall.”
“Elena,” I sighed. “Please don’t.”
“Why not?” she said, her eyes starting to fill with tears. “You don’t see it, do you? She is the one who has changed you. You are not the Domino I used to know.”
“You really didn’t have to,” I snapped, still sounding more aggressive than I wanted. “As a matter of fact, I didn’t demand you to love me.”