Chapter 97: Shadows of Betrayal

Chapter 97: Shadows of Betrayal
Chapter 97: Shadows of Betrayal
Nico nodded. “I will do as you say.”
Nico’s reluctant agreement lingered in the air as they got to the front of Elora’s room.
Lac hesitated, raising his hand to knock on the door but the sobbing of Elora from inside the room stopped him. He could hear her muffled cries from the tears and this made his heart ache. He knew he had hurt her but he was going to fix it.
“Let’s go,” Lac said and they walked away from her room.
Meanwhile, Elora was seated on the bed, tears streaming down her face. Her arms were wrapped around her legs and her head rested on her knees.
She tried hard to forget about the gravity of what she did but it was too late, it could not be reversed. If Lac had an arranged wife whom he had been keeping as a secret from her all this while and she's staying in this house, it means she is just a useless mistress and she had fulfilled her duty to her master yesterday night.
She closed her eyes in regret. She had begun to love him, she had begun to cherish whatever they had and she had forgiven whatever he did to her. Frustrated and heartbroken, Elora reached for her phone.
She cleaned the tears on her cheeks with the back of her hand then dialed her mother’s contact. After three rings, she answered the call.
“Hello mother,” Elora said in a low and soft tone.
“Elora. How have you been?” Mary asked from the other end.
“I am….
The ringing of a phone from Mary’s end cut Elora short.
“Wait a minute, Elora,” Mary said.
Elora could hear Mary’s quick steps on the floor.
“Darling! Your phone is ringing.” Mary declared.
Elora could hear footsteps approaching Mary and then the ringing stopped.
“Please, continue Elora. That was David’s phone…it seemed like an important call.”
Elora hesitated. She was too ashamed to talk to Mary about what happened between her and lac last night. Mary would surely scold her and she did not want that.
“Elora?”
“I am sorry…I got lost in thought.” Elora replied immediately.
“What is it? Your voice is not as lively as usual. Did something happen? Did lac do anything to you?” Mary questioned, her tone laced with concern.
“Is there really no way that I can leave this place, mother?” Elora inquired calmly.
Mary kept quiet on the other end then answered back. “I wish I could get out of that place, Elora but I can't.”
“Don’t you have connections? You have and know people with high status that you can talk to.” Elora let out, desperation filled her voice.
“I know Elora but Lac is not a man to be messed with. He's well known and he's allied with most of them. Moreover, you have done the ritual with him, it is impossible to leave…
“Do not say that!” Elora interrupted angrily. “I don't care about this goddamn ritual. The ritual won't dictate how I'll live my life and believe me, I'll live my life my way.”
“I'm so sorry that I can't do anything to help you as your mother, Elora. I would be more than happy to assist you to break out of that jail but it doesn't matter, as long as you don't let him take with your dignity. You are fine.” Mary reassured softly.
Elora shook her head. “Mother…We’ve had sex.”
“What did you say?” Mary asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
“We have had sex and I'm regretting it now…what do I do with my life?” Elora let out, grabbing her hair.
“Oh my goodness, Elora. I talked to you…I warned you not to get intimate with him..
“He professed his love to me..He claimed he loved me and I have feelings for him but I guess it was just a lie. I was deceiving myself.” Elora said.
“It is all right. Take a deep breath, Elora.” Mary assured and she obeyed. “I was not expecting this but it has happened. Were you drunk when you guys had it? Did you guys use protection or something?” Mary questioned in a low tone.
“Whatever we had can't lead to what you're thinking about, mother. I have to find a way to get out of here, please .” Elora pleaded softly.
“You have to stay calm, Elora. You can't just leave that villa without anyone’s help…Lac had enemies. They're all on the lookout for you, any slight mistake can cost you something. You have to stay calm and plan things well.” Mary retorted.
Elora looked at the closet thoughtfully. She knew her mother was right. Any rash decision she took now might affect her. Just like when Nico helped her escape, Jaxon had been watching her and he kidnapped her at the moment she was vulnerable.
“What do I do now?” Elora asked, her tone softened.
“Stay calm. I'll work something out here and we’ll get you out of that place. Trust me, this once.” Mary answered back then added. “I’ll call you when I've thought of something nice that would not stress you.”
“Okay.”
“Take care, my baby,” Mary replied and Elora ended the call.
Her heart was still heavy with emotion as she placed her phone on the bed. She was just a pawn in someone else's game but it was time to take charge of her destiny.
With a determined mind, she cleaned the tears from her face then got up from the bed. She knew it was time to rise from the shadows and change her destiny no matter the cost.
The intimate moment and shared laughter she and Lac had was nothing but a lie and it is now tainted by the revelation of his hidden arranged wife.
She had accepted all his imperfections and lost herself. She realized she was just a mere player in a game she'd never agree to join.
With a steely resolve formed in her, Elora walked to the mirror and stared at the reflection. Recently, she had been drained by some obstacles, not letting her reveal her true nature.
“I won't back down easily.”