Chapter 24

Elena's POV

The music pounded like a second heartbeat as I stared across the crowded nightclub. My fingers tightened around my glass until my knuckles turned white.

Olivia red-painted nails traveled up his arm as she leaned in to whisper something in his ear. When he didn't pull away, something inside me shattered.

"Elena?" Zoe asked. "Are you okay? You look like you're about to pass out."

I couldn't answer. I couldn't even breathe properly.

"Is that... is that Dominic?" Axton's voice was tight with confusion.

But I had no right to these feelings. No right to this jealousy that threatened to consume me. I was the one who had ended things. I was the one who had texted Olivia his private number, practically gift-wrapping him for her.

"I need to leave," I finally managed, setting my untouched drink on a nearby table with a shaking hand. "Now."

I turned away, desperate to escape before either of them spotted me. But I wasn't fast enough.

"Elena!" Olivia's voice, falsely sweet and triumphant, cut through the music. "What a surprise!"

I froze, knowing I was trapped. Slowly, I turned back to face them.

Olivia had positioned herself even closer to Dominic, her hand now resting possessively on his chest. The tight red dress she wore left little to the imagination, cutting low across her generous cleavage.

Her fingers traced small circles on his shirt. He didn't stop her.

"I have some things to take care of, so I need to leave." I replied.

"Leaving so soon?" Olivia pouted dramatically. "But I haven't had a chance to tell you the good news." She paused for effect. "Ethan and I broke up. He's single now, all yours if you want him back."

A humorless laugh escaped me. "You think I want your leftovers?"

"They were your leftovers first," she shot back, eyes narrowing. "But I suppose once you've had a man like Dominic, it's hard to go back to boys." Her hand slid lower on his abdomen. "Isn't that right, Dom?"

The casual use of his nickname made my blood boil. Dominic's face remained impassive, but his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin burn.

"Why would Elena want Ethan?" Dominic finally spoke, his voice a low rumble that somehow carried over the music. "When she has so many... options."

Olivia's smile faltered slightly. "Options? Like what?"

"Like moving on," I interjected, finding my voice. "From both of you."

"Oh please." Olivia rolled her eyes. "Don't pretend you're not dying inside seeing us together. I recognized that look the moment you spotted us. It's the same pathetic, heartbroken expression you had when you caught me with Ethan."

As if to emphasize her point, she turned to Dominic and boldly ran her hand up his chest. "Dominic has been teaching me so many new things," she purred, loud enough for me to hear. "Things he said you were too... innocent to appreciate."

Dominic didn't contradict her. Instead, he placed his hand over hers, trapping it against his chest. His thumb caressed her wrist in slow, deliberate circles as his eyes remained fixed on me, gauging my reaction.

"You don't know anything about me," I managed to say, my throat tight.

"I know enough." Her smile turned venomous as she leaned back against Dominic's chest, his arm automatically encircling her waist. "I know you're just a disposable plaything for men like Dominic. A temporary amusement."

Dominic's gaze slid to Olivia's exposed cleavage, then back to me. "Olivia certainly looks more... passionate than you ever did, Elena."

The casual cruelty of his words struck me like a physical blow. I staggered back slightly, feeling Zoe's steadying hand on my arm.

"Come on, Elena," Zoe whispered urgently. "These assholes aren't worth it."

But something snapped inside me, the final thread of restraint I'd been clinging to. Before I even realized what I was doing, I'd lunged forward and grabbed Olivia's drink from her hand, throwing its contents directly in her face.

She shrieked as the red liquid splashed across her perfect makeup and expensive dress.

"You fucking bitch!" she screamed, wiping furiously at her eyes.

"Elena, let's go," Zoe pleaded. "Now."

I turned to leave, my cheeks burning with humiliation. I'd made a complete fool of myself. Again.

I was almost to the exit when strong fingers wrapped around my wrist, halting me in my tracks. I didn't need to look to know who it was—my body responded instantly to his touch, despite everything.

Dominic pulled me back, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered words only I could hear.

"Weren't you the one who ended our arrangement?" His breath was hot against my skin. "Why should you care who I take to my bed now?" His grip tightened slightly. "Or did you think you were special? That I couldn't replace you in a heartbeat?"

I tried to wrench away, but he held firm.

"Let me go," I demanded, my voice trembling.

"Answer the question, Elena," he insisted, his voice dropping even lower. "If you don't want me anymore, why does it matter who I love?"

The word 'love' struck me like lightning. I finally met his gaze, searching those cold blue eyes for any hint of the man I thought I'd known.

"It doesn't," I lied, finally pulling free of his grasp. "It doesn't matter at all."