Chapter 171
Dominic POV
There are six cakes on the table.
Six.
Each one has three tiers.
Decorative piping.
Intricate designs.
Edible gold leaf.
One of them has hand-painted sugar roses that probably required more engineering skill than some buildings.
My mother looks delighted.
The pastry chef looks terrified.
And Ellie looks like she would rather be questioned by the Council.
“Vanilla bean with lavender cream,” the chef explains, carefully cutting a slice. “A very popular choice for Alpha unions.”
Ellie doesn’t even look at it.
“Whatever is cheapest.”
The entire room goes quiet.
The servants exchange looks.
A few whispers begin.
My mother’s smile tightens.
“We are not choosing based on the cheapest option.”
Ellie shrugs.
“It’s cake.”
Her tone is flat.
“People eat it. Then it disappears.”
The chef stares at her as she has personally insulted generations of his family.
I take a slow breath.
This is not a battlefield.
This is frosting.
Another slice is presented.
Dark chocolate.
Raspberry filling.
“Perhaps something more traditional,” my mother suggests gently.
Ellie looks at her.
“Would that please you or me?”
The question isn’t sarcastic.
Not really.
She sounds tired.
Exhausted.
Detached.
Like this entire event is happening to someone else, and she’s simply waiting for it to be over.
And for some reason…
That bothers me.
More than it should.
Yes, this marriage started as a strategy.
Yes, it was built out of necessity.
But watching her treat every moment like an obligation she was forced to complete does something unpleasant to me.
It’s cake.
Free cake.
A person should at least have some excitement over free cake.
My mother continues stepping in.
Gracefully correcting Ellie’s blunt answers.
Guiding the conversation.
Choosing flavor combinations.
Discussing presentation details.
Handling the things Ellie refuses to touch.
Then Vivian steps forward.
Offering suggestions.
Ideas.
Details about decoration and planning.
My mother immediately brightens.
I can see the satisfaction on her face.
A quiet confirmation that bringing Vivian here wasn’t a mistake.
Vivian has always liked this kind of thing.
The planning.
The organizing.
The beauty of details.
Ellie and I have always shared the same dislike for it.
Still…
I thought maybe she could find something enjoyable about this.
Something small.
Something that belonged to her.
But when the chef starts explaining the difference between fondant textures, I decide I need a moment away.
I excuse myself.
Outside, the courtyard is quiet.
The fountain runs steadily in the center.
The sound is calming.
The air is cooler.
I lean over the edge and splash water onto my face.
It’s cake.
Not the ring.
Not the vows.
Not the actual marriage.
Just cake.
So why does this feel like rejection?
“ You look troubled.”
I know that voice.
Soft.
High.
Familiar.
Though I was hoping it belonged to someone else.
I turn.
Vivian approaches with measured steps.
Her hands are loosely clasped in front of her.
Her blond hair is perfectly curled.
Her dress is carefully chosen.
A little too carefully.
I’m not sure who she’s trying to impress, but judging by the way the servants keep glancing over, it’s working.
“I’m fine.”
She tilts her head.
“She doesn’t seem very happy.”
I know exactly who she means.
“She’s overwhelmed.”
Vivian nods slowly.
“Of course.”
A pause.
“It’s just…”
She looks down briefly.
“Everyone keeps saying you two argued after I arrived.”
Her expression turns apologetic.
“I feel awful about that.”
“Not your fault.”
My voice is low.
“Ellie is stubborn.”
Vivian smiles faintly.
“About you.”
I don’t respond.
“And about me.”
She adds.
Then she tilts her head.
“About life.”
A quiet laugh escapes me.
Unfortunately, she’s not wrong.
“Thank you for helping my mother in there.”
I gesture toward the room.
“She likes this kind of thing.”
A pause.
“Like you do.”
“My pleasure.”
Vivian smiles warmly.
Then she tilts her head slightly.
Her lashes lower.
“You know…”
I look at her.
“I did hear something.”
My brow furrows.
“Hear what?”
She hesitates.
Like she’s deciding whether she should continue.
“I probably shouldn’t repeat it.”
Her voice lowers.
“People can be cruel.”
A pause.
“I would know.”
“Vivian.”
She exhales softly.
Then steps closer.
Not enough to invade my space.
Just enough to make the conversation feel private.
“They’re saying Ellie ran off with Lucas.”
My expression changes.
“Right after your argument this morning.”
My jaw tightens.
“How would you even know about that?”
Vivian looks almost hurt.
“The town talks, Dominic.”
Her voice is gentle.
“Especially about someone in your position.”
She folds her hands.
“People watch. They speculate.”
A pause.
“And when they see an Alpha’s fiancée leave a heated argument…”
Her eyes lower slightly.
“Only to be seen with another man…”
Her voice trails off.
“She isn’t unfaithful.”
The words leave me sharper than intended.
Vivian immediately raises both hands.
“I know.”
Her voice softens.
“Of course not.”
She looks at me carefully.
“I’m not saying she is.”
A pause.
“They just looked…”
She searches for the right word.
“Close.”
I say nothing.
“To other people, it might look suspicious.”
She quickly adds:
“I’m sure it was innocent.”
Another step closer.
“I truly am.”
Her voice drops.
“But people are noticing things.”
My expression hardens.
“Things like what?”
Vivian sighs.
“The resistance to the wedding.”
“The arguments.”
“The way she leaves whenever things get difficult.”
She looks away.
“They’re drawing conclusions.”
A pause.
“About you two.”
Her eyes return to mine.
“About your leadership.”