Elena grabbed Alexander's hand and pressed it against her chest.
There were still tears in her eyes.
Elena: Don't worry. Everything will be okay. You'll be just fine.
Alexander simply stared at her.
Alexander: Will you really stay with me?
Elena looked at him.
Elena: Yes... Whatever happens from now on, I'm with you.
A faint smile appeared on Alexander's face.
The car began to move slowly.
Elena looked out the window.
The Rosewood house was slowly disappearing behind them.
That same house...
The house where she had spent her entire childhood.
The house filled with so many memories of her and her brother Benjamin.
And that same house was where she was leaving today with a stranger, as his wife.
Elena's eyes filled with tears again.
She silently turned her face away.
A while later, the car stopped in front of a large villa.
Written above the gate were the words—
WILSON VILLA
Sir Thomas got out of the car.
Then he moved toward Alexander to help him.
But before he could, Elena took Alexander's hand.
Elena: It's okay. I'll help him.
Sir Thomas: Oh, sweetheart, why are you troubling yourself? I'm here, aren't I?
Supporting Alexander, Elena said—
Elena: Alexander is my responsibility from today onward. You should rest.
Sir Thomas watched her for a few moments.
Then a smile appeared on his face.
Sir Thomas: All right, sweetheart. But if you have any trouble, tell me immediately.
Elena: Yes, sir.
Alexander looked at Elena.
Alexander: You must be tired.
Elena: No.
Alexander: Are you sure?
Elena: Yes. Now come on, let's go inside.
Alexander smiled faintly.
The two of them went inside.
Wilson Villa was enormous.
Elena looked around.
She had never seen such a large house before.
Alexander looked at her.
Alexander: What do you think?
Elena: It's nice.
Alexander: Just nice?
Elena smiled a little for the first time.
Elena: It's very nice.
Alexander: This is your home now.
Elena said nothing.
She only continued looking at him.
By evening, Wilson Villa was bustling with activity.
There was a party at the house.
Alexander's relatives and acquaintances began arriving one by one.
Elena came downstairs after getting dressed as well.
The moment everyone saw her, their eyes fixed on her.
She looked incredibly beautiful that day.
One woman said to another—
Woman: Alexander has excellent taste.
The other woman laughed.
Woman: The girl is so sweet, too.
Elena heard them and merely gave them a faint smile.
Just then, Alexander came over to her.
Alexander: You look beautiful.
Elena: Thank you.
Alexander: That's all?
Elena: What else should I say?
Alexander: Nothing.
They both laughed softly.
A while later, Elena's mother and Jason arrived at the party from the Rosewood house.
When Elena saw them, her expression hardened slightly.
Her mother came straight over to her.
Mom: Oh, my daughter! You look so beautiful today.
Elena merely nodded.
Jason came over as well.
Jason: How are you?
Elena looked at him.
Elena: I'm fine.
Jason smiled.
Jason: Are you happy?
Elena looked into his eyes.
For a few seconds, they stared at each other.
Then Elena looked away.
Elena: Yes.
Jason's mother and Elena's mother were laughing and chatting away at the party.
Jason also looked quite happy.
Looking at Alexander, Elena's mother said—
Mom: Son, take good care of my daughter from now on.
Alexander: Don't worry.
Mom: We already know you're a wonderful young man.
Jason also said with a laugh—
Jason: Yeah, our Golden Duck is at your house now.
Elena looked at him.
Elena: Golden Duck?
Jason burst out laughing.
Jason: Oh, it's nothing.
When she left, her mother also hugged Elena.
Mom: Stay happy, my Golden Duck.
Elena watched them leave.
One thought kept circling through her mind.
Why were they both so happy?
Something didn't feel right.
As if something had happened to her that she still couldn't understand.
It was already quite late at night.
Alexander had gone to his room.
He took his medicine and lay down on the bed.
Elena was sitting nearby.
Alexander: You should sleep, too.
Elena: You go to sleep. I'll sit here for a little while.
Alexander: A lot has happened today.
Elena: Yes.
Alexander closed his eyes.
It wasn't long before he fell asleep.
Elena was still awake.
She was looking out the window.
The same thoughts kept running through her mind.
Jason...
His mother...
Their happiness at the party...
Then Alexander suddenly began coughing violently.
Elena immediately stood up.
Elena: Alexander!
She looked at him.
Elena: Do you need water?
Alexander nodded.
Elena gave him some water.
Then she asked—
Elena: Where's your syrup?
Still half-asleep, Alexander pointed toward the table where his medicine was kept.
Elena went to get the syrup.
But in the darkness, her foot hit something.
Elena: Ow!
She looked down.
A large suitcase was lying there.
It seemed not to be properly closed.
The impact caused the lock to pop open.
Elena bent down to close it and looked inside.
But the moment she lifted the lid...
She froze.
There were several envelopes inside.
And bundles of cash beneath them.
A great many bundles.
Elena's eyes widened.
Elena: This much money?
She picked up one envelope.
Then another.
She couldn't understand why all of this had been kept there.
Then her eyes fell on a white envelope.
There was something written on it.
Elena picked it up.
She opened the envelope.
There was a letter inside.
She began to read.
The smile vanished from her face the moment she read the first line.
Her hands began to tremble when she read the second line.
She read the entire letter.
Then she read it again.
Tears streamed from her eyes.
Elena: No...
The letter slipped from her hand.
She began backing away.
But her legs seemed to give out.
The next moment, she collapsed unconscious onto the floor.
Alexander was still sleeping on the bed.
He had no idea what had happened.
The letter lying on the floor opened slightly in the breeze.
It read—
“Ten crore rupees have already been paid to get Elena married to Alexander. The remaining amount will be paid once the job is complete.”
What had Elena read at last...
That made her realize her marriage was not the result of some unavoidable circumstance...
But a conspiracy that had been planned from the beginning?
The End.