Chapter 15
In the corner of the room, something glinted faintly–a screw, probably left behind by one of the guards when they boarded up the windows.
Without hesitation, she grabbed it. Clenching her jaw, she worked at the wooden planks over the window, her hands blistering as the sharp edges dug into her palms. After a lot of effort, the boards gave way with a groan, leaving a gap just wide enough.
She peeked outside and found no one downstairs. Swallowing her tear, she pushed the window open and swung herself through.
The moment her feet left the ledge, she plummeted, landing with a muffled thud in the bushes below. Pain shot through her ankle, sharp and searing, but she had no time to nurse it. She scrambled to her feet and limped for the gate.
The moonlight was cruelly bright that night, illuminating every shadow. Just as Eleanor stumbled out of the villa, her heart sank. At the gate stood a tall figure, whose broad shoulders and commanding presence were impossible to miuske–Dominick
He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto her with a mocking glint. His lips curved into a cold, contemptuous smirk, and Eleanor felt every ounce of defiance drain from her. Her voice wavered as she whispered, “Dominick…”
“Eleanor,” he drawled, the derision in his voice cutting like a blade. “I knew you wouldn’t stay put. That promise to go along with the wedding was nothing but a cheap lie, wasn’t it?”
Eleanor stood frozen and stared at him. “You’re here to drag me back, aren’t you?
Dominick didn’t answer. Instead, he strode toward her with the measured, predatory grace of someone who already knew he’d won. His hand shor out, gripping her jaw and forcing her face upward. The sharp pain made her gap.
e sick!
His eyes flickered with loathing as he studied her, and then, without warning, he shoved her away. Your face makes me
Eleanor hit the ground hard, the impact sending a fresh wave of pain through her battered body. She barely had time to process the humiliation before she saw him pull out his phone and call the Reed family.
“Wait” she shouted, forcing herself upright despite the agony. “Dominick, wait
His fingers hovered over the screen and paused. He glanced at her, mildly intrigued by her audacity.
“Tell me she demanded, her voice raw with desperation. “Why are you so hell-bent on making me marry someone else? Did you forget I was once yours? Or does that mean nothing to you?”
Dominick laughed coldly. “That’s exactly why I want you gone. You were once mine, Eleanor. And knowing that it disgusts me.
Eleanor’s chest tightened, but she refused to back down. Instead, she let out a bitter laugh and said, “I see And Alexis doesn’t disgust you, does she?” “You’re not even worthy of being compared to Alexis,” he said icily. “You’ll never measure up to her at even a strand of her bair.” Eleanor’s fists clenched at her sides, fury coursing through her vein. She glared at him, spitting her words with venom, “You’re a jerk, Dominick. I’ve never met anyone as pathetically stupid as you.”
Dominick let out a snom and dialed Gregory
Hearing the news of Eleanor’s escape, Gregory was shocked. Moments later, their whole family came rushing out
Gregory spotted Eleanor sprawled on the ground, and his face contorted with rage. Without a word, he stormed over and slapped her twice. “You heat You’ve been nothing but trouble since the day you were born! How could I have raised something as wretched as you?”
Eleanor’s cheek stung, but she met his anger with a chilling smirk. “You tell me. I’d love to know how I ended up cursed with a father like you” “You” Gregory was shaking now, his fury b
fury boiling over.
Nearby, Dominick stood silently, his expression unreadable.
Jennifer tugged at Gregory’s sleeve and gave him a wary glance. Gregory quickly turned to Dominick, all fire extinguished as he fumbled to make amendi “Mr. Vandertali, this is entirely our fault. We should’ve kept a closer eye on her. I assure you, it won’t happen again.”
Dominick waved off his apology and said, “Make sure she stays put. Without another glance at Eleanor, he turned on his heel and walked away
Eleanor glared at Dominick for a moment and then jerked her head away, n
refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her break. Gregory stormed toward her, ready to kick her. ‘Get up and come with me, you little-
A
Dreame–Read Romance Stories
Chapter 15.
“Stop it, honey” Jemafer interrupted, stepping between them. She crouched down, pretending in helps Eleanor up. “Ellie, come on, let’s go back
Without changing her expression, Heanor unintered cobilly, “Move”
Jennider, who hail ne real intention of helping her, instantly pulled her hardy has
Bing her lips, Eleanor pushed herself upright and hoped back toward fire room. Every step was agony, but she refused to let them see her crumble. Not them, not anyone
After her escape attempt, the guards tightened their grip in protest, but she stubdionily telused to beg for scraps,
“Werkend soon anised the day of the
sday of the dreaded wedding
Jarly that morning, the door to Drama’s mom swing opti morning, Ellie. Tis heir to get you teady for your bag day?
Eleanor. As Eric had promised, there was no lonil. Day after slay, her stomach growled
ded a parade of maids carrying makeup kits and gowns into her room. ““Good:
Branen Lay there, unmoving, her face gauni and jule from days willstan food or water. Her lips were a carked, her eyes dull. She didn’t have the
nergy to trysmd, let aloor figlit.
Alexis, however, was practically glowing with ‘saist
wheeled clown, pretending to adjust Eleanor’s tattered clothes. In a low voice, dripping witdemalice, she murmured, “Look at your, bow patharth. This is what happens when you go up against the. You see that now, don’t you?” Eleanor shot Alexis’s calm gaze. Without warning, she lifted her hand and slapped Alexis across the face. The souad echoed in the room like a whip
Alexis was stummet. For a moment, she couldn’t even process what had just happened. She thought, In this state, she can still
I know youre hete tu ghout. You think you’ve won, lait let me remind you, Dominick and Gregory aren’t here right now. No one’s protecting you,” Heanor siel, her voice cold and steady despite her exhaustion
Rage boiled under Alexis’s polished exterior, her nails digging into her palms, She hadn’t expected Eleanor to still have this much tight left in her For a split second, she raised her hund, ready in strike back.
“You can but ane,” Eleanor said, staring straight at her with ice–cold detuner. “Go ahead. But before you do, think about what happens next. You lay a finger ni mr today, and what do you flairık tır fallout will be?
Alexis’s hand stopped in the air. She hesitated, her jaw tightening as the anger simmered in her chest. Criting her teeth, she dropped her hand and turned to the maids. ‘Get in here. Start dressing her up.”
Foster, car the clorus of obedient replies. The maids filed into the mon their arms Laden with cosmetics and clothes.
watched the scene full and couldn’t help bus chuckle. “Really, Alexis? You think I’m such a threat? You can’t even let me leave this rooNTİ for makeup!”
Alexis’s smile was sweet, but the venom in her tone was unmistakable. Ellie, after everything you’ve done, I’m just making sure you don’t make another mistake. After all, getting mamed is a nice–in–a–lifetime event, isn’t it? Especially to a lanband handpicked by Dominick himself
Eleanor a expression didnt waver, and the warned, “Don’t get too full of yourself, Alexis. You think you’re Dominick’s exception! One day, you’ll get a taste of your own medicine. And trust me, your downfall will be even uglier”
Alexis Langhed bitterly, tunising her words with a wave of her hand, “Please, I’m nothing like you. Eleanor, between us, the one alestined for misery will always be you, always”
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