Chapter 189: Chapter 189

Violet

Meanwhile, the video continued to play. In it, I was busy talking to the restaurant manager and then sitting nervously on the table while Nate walked in, typing something on his phone.

Elijah looked at me again. “Violet, please…”

But I shot my hand up to signal him to stop talking.

“She also has a boyfriend it seems. Nah, hard pass.” The Elijah who was on the screen said, shaking his head but Nicole challenged him.

“Are you going back on your words, Elijah Deveraux?”

That made him narrow his eyes at her.

“Don’t you dare say that”

But that only made her bolder.

“Prove that you don’t want me, that you can make even a committed girl fall for you,” Nicole egged him on, folding her hands on her chest.

Elijah sighed, looking from her to me and shrugged again.

“Fine. But don’t interfere in any way. And until she falls for me, you and I don't know each other. It will hardly take a few minutes” He said but Nicole was already smiling wickedly.

Minutes? He was sure that I would fall for him in minutes? Is that what all this was to him?

“You know what? I will help you put the boyfriend out of the picture. Easy right?” Nicole’s voice continued to reach my ears from the huge screen.

“I don't need your help” Elijah shook his head, pulling the chair forward to sit but Nicole had already turned around.

The video then proceeded to Nicole walking out the back gate and then reappearing through the front gate where Nate was pacing.

Meanwhile, Elijah returned to his table, lounging carelessly like before.

The video would have continued playing but Nicole shouted out loud.

“That is enough”

The video froze with Nate running to hug Nicole while I sat stupidly by the table.

Nicole, still in the crumpled bridal dress with a tear soaked face, looked at me.

“I believe you know what happened next”

Of course, I did remember wanting Nate’s attention, staring at my reflection and then my eyes landing on the stranger seated in black.

I could clearly recall how the waitress fumbled and how I found it cute. I just didn’t know all of this was planned on the spot.

I just watched the video numbly, my eyes seeing everything yet my brain refusing to accept it.

“No, this can’t be…you…no..”

I was fumbling for words, the ray of hope I had felt earlier now hidden behind dark, gloomy clouds.

“This is unedited footage. I gave you a copy as well as your maid of honor gift earlier, hoping that you would have already seen it. But you didn't.”

My mind numbly recalled how I had tossed the box away, thinking it was just some stupid jewellery.

Nicole continued, staring at Elijah with daggers.

“Go show it to anybody you want. Hire technical people. All will say just one thing. That I am not lying and that it's not tampered.”

My heart dropped to my stomach, all hopes and dreams crashing into pieces.

Elijah held my hand, pulling me close.

“Violet, please look at me. I can explain…”

But this wound was deeper than any other wound Nicole or Nate had given me. Because it came from him, the man I had wanted to run away with after this wedding.

I couldn’t believe this was happening, that I would ever second guess my decision.

I fought back tears, my voice growing choked.

“I want just one word answer, Elijah.” I said, even as he kept trying to explain.

I held out my hand firmly, trying to process the fact that a man had chosen to use me for his selfish gains yet again. That he had fucking seen me crumble because of Nate and yet not once told me the truth.

“Is that the truth or not?” I asked, fighting to not hurl abuses and empty all my anguish in a room full of people.

“Violet, please, you have to…”

“Yes or no?” I repeated and his face crumpled as he whispered.

“Violet, let me…”

“YES OR NO?” I shouted, my voice sounding horribly choked.

“Yes”

He answered, his shoulders sagging a little.

I staggered back, my legs forgetting how to carry my weight and my heart forgetting to beat momentarily.

This could not be happening. The Moon Goddess wasn’t so cruel.

“Violet” He extended his hand to help me but I stared back at him with bloodshot eyes.

“Forget that name and forget me” I said in that same choked voice.

I couldn't stand there anymore, couldn't watch Elijah's face as everything fell apart.

So I simply turned and ran out of the ballroom, my heels clicking frantically on the marble floor.

And as if people had suddenly been shocked out of their stupor, I heard shouting behind me.

I could vaguely tell it was Cassie calling my name, Aurelia trying to restore order, Nicole's voice rising above it all.

But I couldn't stop.

Because everything I'd believed, everything I'd hoped for, every feeling I'd allowed myself to have—it had all been built on lies.

I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, to where my feet led me. But I was just running…just wanted to collapse and never wake up, I wanted all of this to be a horrible nightmare.

Elijah and Nicole had been together. I saw him kiss her like he kissed me, saw him run his hands all over her.

I wanted to burn that memory into oblivion.

He'd pursued me as part of some sick game to prove a point to his ex and I'd fallen head over heels for him just like he’d declared.

I felt sick. I was vaguely aware of throwing all my stuff in my suitcase, of changing into whatever I got hold of and dragging the suitcase outside of my room, wanting to get away from the Ironcrest Manor and from all the horrible people that lived here.

Cassie came running to me, panting hard.

“Violet, I just want….”

“If you want me to not judge you for being Elijah’s sister then let me go or I swear to the Moon Goddess I will never talk to you again.”

She opened her mouth to object but she noticed the way I was barely holding myself together and muttered.

“I promise I will not talk about him or make you meet him if that's what you want, but please, don't punish me for his crimes. You are my friend, Violet. I can’t let you leave like this. Please!”

Her voice cracked and I could see her eyes getting moist too. She clasped her hands together as she begged me.

“Please, let me be there for you.” she added softly and I agreed because I didn’t have the heart to say no to her.

Not that her brother had left a heart for me to feel anything either way.