Chapter 194
Dominic's POV
Ellie's footsteps faded up the staircase, each step echoing through the quiet room. A few moments later, the sharp sound of a door closing followed.
Not a dramatic slam.
Not a cry of anger.
Just a simple, final sound.
And somehow, that hurt worse.
Marcus and I remained standing in the middle of the sitting room, both of us staring at the space where Ellie had been moments ago. Then our attention shifted to the maid still standing nearby.
She looked completely frozen.
Her eyes were wide, her lips parted in shock. She couldn't have been older than eighteen, and judging by the expression on her face, she had no idea what to do after being volunteered as Luna's replacement.
"It's alright," I told her, my voice softer than usual. "You're not attending any meetings."
The relief that crossed her face was immediate.
She let out a breath she had clearly been holding, quickly curtsied, and hurried out of the room before anything else could happen.
Once she was gone, Marcus turned his attention back to me.
"Sir," he said carefully, "what exactly is happening with her?"
I dragged a hand down my face, exhaustion settling over me.
"A lot of things, Marcus."
I let out a slow breath.
"More than I know how to handle right now."
My Beta studied me for a moment, but thankfully didn't push. He only gave a quiet sound of acknowledgment before leaving me alone with my thoughts.
And those thoughts immediately went back to Ellie.
I expected her to still be angry after everything that happened at the wedding. After the argument, after the dagger, after the accusations.
I expected distance.
Coldness.
Maybe even resentment.
But I hadn't expected her to completely abandon her responsibilities as Luna.
She had made a promise. Regardless of how she felt about our contract, regardless of how complicated our relationship had become, she had agreed to fulfill her duties. Attending meetings. Representing the pack. Standing beside me.
Yet now she was acting as if none of it mattered.
My mind returned to what she had said about her trauma.
The fear in her voice.
The way her hands shook.
The way she looked at me was as if she wasn't seeing me at all, but someone else.
I know it now.
Whatever happened to her was real.
Something from her past had been dragged to the surface, something powerful enough to make her react without thinking.
And yesterday had triggered it.
My resolve strengthened.
It was the same determination I had woken up with after that nightmare.
Ellie still loved me.
I knew she did.
The bond didn't lie. No matter how much she tried to hide it, no matter how much anger she threw at me, there was still something between us.
Something fragile.
Something worth saving.
I just needed to remind her that she was safe with me.
I needed to prove that I wasn't the person she was afraid of.
Maybe then she would finally trust me enough to tell me what happened.
Maybe then we could start repairing the damage between us.
Maybe then we could become what we were supposed to be.
A husband and wife.
Although, if I was being honest, "normal" had never exactly been something Ellie and I were good at.
But I wanted it.
More than I had ever wanted anything.
That night, I slept poorly.
Again.
But thankfully, when sleep finally took me, no nightmares were waiting for me.
When I woke the next morning, sunlight was already spilling across the room. The day looked peaceful, warm, almost like it was offering us a chance to start over.
I showered and dressed quickly before heading downstairs.
The kitchen staff hadn't arrived yet, but I didn't mind.
Today, I wanted to do something myself.
I started a pot of coffee before opening the refrigerator.
Eggs.
Milk.
Bacon.
And a loaf of bread that was slightly past its prime but still usable.
I mixed the eggs and milk, adding a small amount of cinnamon before soaking the bread in the mixture. I heated a pan with butter and carefully placed the slices inside, letting them cook until they turned golden.
The bacon went into another pan.
While everything was cooking, I stepped outside into the garden.
The morning air was cool against my skin as I searched through the plants until I found what I wanted.
Fresh strawberries.
And, after a moment of hesitation, a single pink tulip.
Ellie liked flowers.
She pretended she didn't care about small gestures, but I knew better.
When I returned inside, the French toast was ready.
I plated everything carefully, paying more attention to the details than I probably should have.
A little powdered sugar on top.
Warm maple syrup in a small pitcher.
The strawberries were arranged neatly beside the bacon.
I even shaped them into a smile.
It was ridiculous.
I knew it was.
But if there was even a small chance it would make her smile, then it was worth it.
I found a tiny vase and placed the tulip inside before pouring her coffee exactly how she liked it.
Extra sweet.
Extra creamy.
Then I picked up the tray and headed upstairs.
If there was one thing I knew about Ellie, it was that she loved a good breakfast.
And even if she was still angry with me, maybe this would be enough to make her pause.
Maybe she would talk to me.
Maybe she wouldn't look at me like I was someone she needed to escape from.
Maybe, just for a moment, I could have my Ellie back.