A dream "I love her, not you," Gabriel's words echoed in my mind, shattering the world we had built together. My heart raced, and I stood frozen, trying to comprehend the magnitude of his confession. How could everything we had planned and dreamed of collapse in an instant?
Fear and confusion gripped me as I struggled to find words. "What does this mean?" I managed to ask, hoping for some semblance of an explanation. Gabriel's gaze softened, but sadness filled his eyes, intensifying the ache within me.
"Elenore, I understand this is difficult for you," he began, his voice laced with empathy. "But deep down, you know that you don't love me either. And, to be honest, I love Alice."
His words crashed over me, leaving me submerged in a sea of bewilderment. Did I truly not love him? Had I been blind to my own heart? And who was this person he professed his love for? Questions surged within me, but before I could voice them, a truth I had concealed spilled out, unfiltered and vulnerable.
"Alice is your sister, Gabriel!" I blurted out, disbelief and shock mingling in my voice. Anger ignited in Gabriel's eyes, his features contorted with frustration.
"She's adopted, and you know it, Elenore!" he snapped, irritation lacing his words. Tension crackled in the room, our emotions colliding in a clash that threatened to tear us apart. Yet, I refused to let the truth fade into obscurity. I couldn't ignore the reality that stood between us, no matter the pain it brought.
"That doesn't change the fact that she's your sister," I asserted, my voice brimming with conviction. Love and kinship intertwined, challenging the boundaries of our relationship and compelling us to confront the complexities of our intertwined lives.
"I want to propose a deal to you, Elenore," Gabriel said, his eyes filled with sincerity. I stared at him, struggling to make sense of his words. "Is this a joke?" I asked, my disbelief refusing to let me accept the situation unfolding before me. Fear gripped my heart as I considered the potential consequences for our families. Could this all be an elaborate prank?
"It's not a joke, Elenore. Please, listen to me," Gabriel pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency. I hesitated, my emotions swirling within me, but eventually nodded, signaling my willingness to hear him out. I hoped that there might be some clarity or resolution in his words.
"No, I cannot hear any of this ridiculous thing," I yelled, overwhelmed by confusion and fear. I turned to run, desperate to escape the turmoil of the situation. But Gabriel reached out and grabbed my hand tightly, preventing my escape. "No, you will stay here and listen to me. Do you understand? Don't make me angry, Elenore," he said, his voice filled with a strange mix of authority and menace.
Fear coursed through me as I realized that something was terribly wrong. This wasn't the Gabriel I knew. Who was this person before me? He forced me to sit down, his grip on my hand tightening, and began to speak.
"I know that our families want this marriage, and we may not have a choice in the matter. But there is a solution. If you marry John, my cousin, it could be a way out," Gabriel explained, his words sending a chill down my spine. John, a half-blood peasant, someone I had known since childhood. My heart sank at the thought of such an arrangement. I couldn't accept this. It felt like a betrayal of everything I believed in.
"No, I'm not going to marry this half-blood. Are you kidding me? You want me to marry a peasant?" I exclaimed, my voice filled with anger and disbelief. The room fell into a heavy silence, and I could see the hurt and disappointment in John's eyes as he entered the room. I could tell he had no idea what we were talking about, but I couldn't fathom the idea of marrying him—a mere peasant. It felt like a cruel joke.
When I spoke those words, I noticed a flicker of recognition in Gabriel's expression. I knew he despised John, but he couldn't possibly hate me. I couldn't allow this situation to unfold. But I didn't care. I couldn't bear the thought of losing Gabriel, even if it meant resorting to desperate measures.
"I love you, Gabriel," I declared, my voice filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "I can't marry someone I don't love, and I won't humiliate myself for the sake of our families. I'm willing to fight for us."
Gabriel's expression darkened as I spoke, but instead of rejecting me, he surprised me. In a sudden twist, he pulled me close and kissed me, but not passionately, like he just touching my lips. was a deliberate act to hurt John, to humiliate him as he had intended for me.
As we kissed, I could see John's hurt and disbelief, and he made the painful decision to leave. In that moment, it felt like a hollow victory. But then Gabriel whispered something in my ear, shattering my hopes.
"But I love Alice," he confessed, his voice laced with amusement. He laughed, mocking the sincerity of my feelings.
N n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n past dream.
My eyes fluttered open, but the images dancing behind my eyelids were no mere dream. The events unfolding before me were unmistakably real - a vivid recollection of a past I had long tried to forget.
Despite the unsettling nature of these memories, there was an odd sense of foreboding that lingered. Was this some sort of omen, a harbinger of things to come? I mulled over the possibility, my brow furrowed in contemplation.
In the midst of my inner turmoil, the sound of soft footsteps approached, and I turned to see Meg, my faithful maid, standing at the foot of the bed. "My lady," she said gently, "it is time for you to dress." Her eyes held a knowing gaze, as if she too sensed the significance of this moment.
Slowly, I rose from the bed, my limbs feeling heavy with the weight of the past.
As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, a sense of weariness washed over me. The vibrant colors of my once beautiful attire felt dull and lifeless against my pale complexion. My face bore the weight of the emotional turmoil I had endured. The maids observed me with concern, sensing that something was amiss. But I no longer cared about appearances or impressing others.
Gabriel, the man I had once considered my love, my soulmate, was coming to see me. Memories of the past resurfaced—the moments when I adorned myself in exquisite garments and adorned my face with layers of makeup to please him. I had strived to present an image of perfection, fearing that any sign of weakness or illness would drive him away. But now, everything had changed. I was no longer that girl who sought validation through external means.
As I stood there, look at the mirror and think what will i do if i go to my parents ,the weight of the impending conversation with my family bore down on me. Anxiety and determination swirled within my heart, creating a turbulent mix of emotions. I was acutely aware that conveying Gabriel's desire to end our engagement would be an arduous undertaking. Especially considering that I had defied my family's wishes and left the comfort of our home to be with him, seeking refuge with my aunt.
Recalling the betrayal orchestrated by my aunt, who had manipulated me into a compromising situation with Gabriel, anger and sorrow intertwined within me. She had deceived me, convincing me that if I slept with him, he would be bound to me. But it was a lie, and the aftermath , without a kiss,had left me humiliated and broken.
Now, my priorities had shifted. I yearned for a quiet, peaceful life, free from the entanglements of deceit and manipulation. The mistakes I had made in the past had taught me valuable lessons, and I no longer sought validation through unhealthy means
" We finished my lady the lord waiting for you in the room" meg said.
Acknowledging Meg with a nod, we commenced our stroll.
"Meg, please ensure that the maid doesn't enter the room under any circumstances," I reiterated, my tone firm but composed. "I don't want any unnecessary interruptions or added tension during this conversation. It's crucial that I speak with the Lord alone."
Meg's shock dissipated, replaced by a look of understanding and determination. "Of course, my lady," she replied, her voice filled with conviction. "I'll make sure the maid stays away. You can count on me
As we walked toward the room, I could feel the rising temperature making me uncomfortable and restless. I knew I had to confront the man who had betrayed me, even though it would be difficult. Revenge burned within me, but I was also exhausted from the emotional turmoil. Perhaps it was time to escape this toxic environment and return to my family, even if they are angry .Meg cast a worried glance my way. Sensing my unease, she leaned in close and whispered
"Are you okay? You're acting strangely," she whispered.
"I'm more than okay, Meg. ," I replied, a sense of liberation spreading through me.As we approached the door, Meg opened it, and I entered
With that, I took a deep breath and gathered my composure, preparing myself for the challenging conversation that lay ahead. Meg left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and emotions, as I steeled myself to face the Lord and address the issues that had arisen between Gabriel and me.
Despite the turmoil within me, I maintained a composed facade as I casually asked, "Would you like some tea?" I pretended as if nothing had changed between us, even though everything had. He began to speak, mentioning my recent fall from the tree and expressing concern for my well-being. I met his gaze, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me, and replied with a calm tone, "I appreciate your concern, my lord. Rest assured, I am perfectly fine."
His surprise was evident as he asked, "Are you truly alright, Elenore?" A soft smile graced my lips as I responded, "I am just a little tired. But let us not dwell on that. Why have you come here?"
Sensing the need to address the underlying truth, he took a deep breath and spoke with a mixture of apprehension and honesty, "I need to tell you something, Elenore." Deep down, I already knew what he was about to confess, but I allowed him to continue. "I love Alice, not you, Elenore," he admitted, echoing the very words I had seen in my dream—or perhaps it was a glimpse of the future.
I maintained my composure, concealing the pain that threatened to consume me. Gabriel seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation, his voice filled with empathy as he continued, "But deep down, you know that you don't love me either. And, truthfully, I love Alice.she is love of my life " he confessed, his words piercing the air. I held my composure, refusing to let my posture falter, while he avoided meeting my gaze. It was clear that he had rehearsed this speech, meticulously reciting the lines he had memorized. He had come here not to reconcile, but to belittle me, to remind me of my supposed inadequacies.
Our families ,i mean my aunt and his family, driven by their own desires, had arranged this impending marriage. It seemed as though our fates had been decided, leaving us with little choice in the matter. Yet, he proposed a solution, a way out of this suffocating union. "If you marry John, my cousin," he suggested, his voice laced with disdain, "it could provide an escape for both of us. Don't let his half-blood status deter you. Who cares?"
His words cut through me, an attempt to demean my worth, to reduce me to a pawn in their game. But as the door swung open, revealing John's presence, I realized that he had overheard everything. Embarrassment washed over him, mirroring the scene I had witnessed in my dreams or perhaps glimpses of a future yet to unfold. In that moment, I couldn't help but feel sorry for John, knowing that Gabriel, the one who had just scorned me, would look down upon him due to his mother's commoner status.
He was undeniably handsome, with his captivating brown eyes and a head full of dark, tousled hair. Towering above me, his muscular frame exuded strength and confidence. In contrast, I possessed a slender figure, adorned with vibrant red hair that cascaded down my shoulders, complemented by deep blue eyes. Ever since our childhood, it was no secret that he harbored a crush on me. Now, in this moment of clarity, I realized that it was time to speak my truth, even if it meant delivering words that would sting.
"Hey, Elenore," he began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I know you won't accept this peasant, but let me hear you out." I locked eyes with him, my face displaying unwavering determination. "Okay," I replied, my voice steady. "I accept to marry him."
Both Gabriel and John looked taken aback, their surprise evident in their expressions. "What? Yes, wait, what?" Gabriel stuttered, struggling to comprehend my unexpected response. I met his gaze, a sense of contentment washing over me. "Aren't you the one who wants me to marry him?" I asked, seeking to clarify the situation. "but even if I say yes, John, do you want to marry me? I don't want to force anyone."
As I spoke, John's face flushed a deeper shade of red, his bashfulness only amplifying his charm. "John, are you...?" I trailed off, waiting for his answer. However, before he could respond, Gabriel interjected, dismissing my words as an attempt to make him jealous. "No, Elenore, stop humiliating yourself. I know you said that to make me jealous," he declared, his tone laced with disbelief.
Silently, I looked at Gabriel, devoid of any words or expressions. And then, unexpectedly, the truth spilled from John's lips. "I will accept your offer, my lady," he said, his voice trembling with a mix of excitement and vulnerability. Gabriel's laughter erupted, masking his true emotions with a facade of amusement. "My poor and idiot cousin, she's just joking. Don't take her seriously," he said, attempting to downplay the gravity of the moment.
My words were not meant as a jest. Deep within, I longed for a connection with someone who would wholeheartedly love and cherish me. John possessed both a striking handsomeness and a genuine goodness that resonated with me. I couldn't help but feel that Gabriel, upon learning of this, would be perturbed, and somehow, that realization brought me a strange sense of contentment."I did not joke," I declared with unwavering conviction. "So, if everyone agrees, John, I will be waiting for you on Sunday to discuss the marriage." And with that, I bid them farewell, leaving the room behind,
my heart filled with a mixture of hope and apprehension.
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İf you like this " my second book " Silent Possession (You Belong to Me)