Chapter 157
Ellie POV
That night, I’m settled into a bedroom that everyone keeps telling me is mine.
But it doesn’t feel like mine.
Not even close.
Dominic’s mother and the maids are almost aggressively cheerful about my arrival.
The second I roll through the doors, they surround me.
They show me the wardrobes.
The sitting areas.
The meals I can request.
The view from the balcony.
Everything comes with the same bright smiles and the same phrase repeated in different ways.
“Welcome home.”
Home.
The word makes my stomach twist.
Because I’m not ready for that.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
It feels like déjà vu.
Again.
And again.
And again.
By the time they finally leave me alone, the room is quiet.
Only candlelight remains, casting soft gold across the walls.
I know this room.
I remember it.
It’s the same room I stayed in before Dominic and I got married the first time.
My eyes drift toward the curtains.
Those awful pink curtains.
I stare at them for a moment.
My hands run over the fabric of the sheets.
I kept these things before.
Out of respect.
Out of obligation.
Because that was what I was supposed to do.
But this time?
No.
Absolutely not.
Those curtains are gone.
Yuck.
Outside the window, the estate gardens disappear into darkness.
Guards patrol the grounds.
Changing shifts.
Watching.
Protecting.
Everything about this place feels too big.
Too familiar.
Too much.
I shouldn’t be here.
And yet…
I am.
I let out a slow breath.
Okay.
I can do this.
I roll my chair toward the bed and prepare myself.
Slowly, carefully, I place my hands against the mattress and try to lift myself.
My body immediately reminds me that almost dying twice is apparently bad for my strength.
My balance wavers.
Panic spikes.
“Shit.”
I try again.
The wheelchair shifts unexpectedly.
The wheel slips.
A sharp gasp escapes me as I start to fall—
But I don’t.
Something catches me.
“Need help?”
I freeze.
Dominic stands behind me.
The doorway is open.
I don’t even know how long he’s been there.
His presence fills the room instantly.
Warm.
Steady.
And annoyingly distracting.
Before I can answer, before I can decide whether I want his help, he moves.
His arms slide beneath me.
And he lifts me effortlessly.
I gasp.
My fingers curl into his shirt on instinct.
“Dominic—”
“I’ve got you.”
His voice is quiet.
“Remember?”
And suddenly, I do.
The memory hits me.
Our first wedding night.
The way he carried me.
The way he spoke.
The same calm certainty.
It’s different now.
But somehow…
Not completely.
I clear my throat.
“Where were you all day?”
I try to sound annoyed.
I fail.
“Working.”
His answer is simple.
Then a slight smirk appears.
“I heard you had a very productive time touring the grounds.”
I roll my eyes.
“Yes,”
I mutter.
“Your mother is extremely excited about my acceptance.”
He carefully lowers me onto the bed.
His hands linger only long enough to make sure I’m steady.
Still.
That tiny bit of contact is enough to make warmth creep into my face.
He adjusts the pillows behind me, making sure I’m comfortable.
“Thank you.”
He nods once.
His hand rests against the headboard above me.
Then he hesitates.
For a second, I think he’s going to say something.
Instead, he reaches into his pocket.
He pulls out a folded stack of papers.
And a pen.
He places them gently in my lap.
Then he sits beside me on the edge of the bed.
Close.
But not touching.
“The contract.”
My eyes drop to the papers.
“As we agreed.”
He looks at me.
“I figured you’d want to review it before tomorrow.”
I unfold the pages carefully.
He shifts slightly so we can both see.
His shoulder brushes mine.
Barely.
But I notice.
I hate that I notice.
“Start here.”
His finger taps the first section.
“Your education.”
I read the heading.
“Non-negotiable.”
I glance up.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning no one removes you from the healer academy.”
His voice is firm.
“Not my parents. Not the council. Not me.”
A pause.
“You finish your education on your timeline.”
I look back down.
“If you choose to.”
I swallow.
“And if being Luna interferes?”
“It won’t.”
The answer comes immediately.
“And if someone tries to make it interfere?”
His eyes sharpen.
“I’ll stop them.”
Something in my chest shifts.
Small.
But noticeable.
He moves down the page.
“Autonomy.”
I read along.
“You answer to yourself.”
He continues.
“No required appearances. No ceremonies. No obligations unless you agree.”
A small smile appears.
“You’re not a decoration.”
I huff quietly.
“Glad we agree.”
His mouth quirks.
“I had a feeling.”
He continues.
“Authority.”
His finger moves lower.
“You’ll have access to Alpha resources for your mother’s case.”
My attention sharpens.
“Records. Finances. Investigations.”
He looks at me.
“No one blocks you.”
My chest tightens.
“Even if it leads back to your family?”
For a moment, I watch him carefully.
Waiting.
Expecting hesitation.
There isn’t any.
“It won’t.”
His voice is calm.
“But even if it did…”
He holds my gaze.
“You would still have access.”
I stare at him.
Then I look back at the contract.
“And this?”
I tap another section.
“My interference clause.”
He nods.
“Or lack thereof.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“You actually put this in?”
“I did.”
I read the words.
“You’re not allowed to override my choices.”
My eyes move lower.
“Politically.”
Another line.
“Medically.”
Another.
“Socially.”
I look up.
“You hate being told what you can’t do.”
“Yes.”
He doesn’t even deny it.
“Which is exactly why I understand how important this is.”
I shake my head slowly.
“You thought about this.”
His expression softens slightly.
“I told you.”
A pause.
“I’ve been thinking.”
I turn another page.
Then another.
And another.
My fingers slow.
Because the realization settles in.
This isn’t rushed.
This isn’t careless.
This isn’t a trap.
Every detail is intentional.
Every boundary is written down.
Every choice is protected.
Dominic didn’t just offer me a marriage.
He built me a way out.
And somehow…
That scares me more.