Chapter 197
Ellie's POV
"That's nice."
I took my seat at the table and looked at Vivian with a pleasant smile.
"Congratulations on your new responsibilities."
The reaction I got was exactly what I expected.
Nothing.
At least, nothing obvious.
Both Dominic and Vivian watched me carefully, waiting.
Waiting for anger.
Jealousy.
A confrontation.
Something.
But I gave them none of it.
Instead, I picked up my fork and began cutting into my steak.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Making sure the metal dragged against the porcelain plate with every movement.
Scrape.
Scrape.
Scrape.
I watched out of the corner of my eye as Dominic's expression tightened.
Perfect.
He hated that sound.
Always had.
He once told me it was worse than nails dragging across a chalkboard.
So naturally, I made sure to enjoy it.
I cut off a piece of meat, stabbed it with my fork, and looked up at him as I placed it into my mouth.
His slight grimace was worth it.
I swallowed, satisfied.
"So," I said, making absolutely no effort to hide the food still in my mouth, "what did you do today, Marcus?"
The Beta blinked.
I turned toward him, reaching across the table for the wine bottle without bothering to ask anyone to pass it.
My arm stretched across the table.
My sleeve brushed against the dishes.
I didn't care.
I grabbed the bottle and poured.
And poured.
Until my glass was filled to the top.
The bottle was empty.
I shook it lightly toward one of the servants.
The poor girl immediately hurried away to fetch another.
Marcus stared at me.
He clearly knew exactly what I was doing.
My behavior wasn't appropriate for a Luna.
That was the entire point.
"I, uh..." Marcus cleared his throat. "I attended meetings."
I took a long drink of wine.
Then wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
"Patrolled the borders with some of the men. Usual things."
"Sounds exciting."
I twirled my pasta around my fork.
"Did any ladies catch your attention today?"
Marcus nearly choked.
I continued casually.
"You always patrol shirtless, don't you? I'm sure there are plenty of women watching."
"Ellie," Vivian hissed.
I looked at her.
Her cheeks were bright red.
"What?"
I shrugged.
"Marcus is a handsome male. Maybe it's time he found a mate."
Then, without hesitation, I leaned over my plate and slurped up my noodles.
The silence that followed was beautiful.
When I looked up, Dominic was staring down at his plate, pinching the bridge of his nose.
A familiar reaction.
I almost smiled.
Almost.
"Dominic."
I snapped my fingers.
His eyes lifted immediately.
Another thing he hated.
"Pass me the salt."
He stared at me.
I smiled brightly.
Too brightly.
And made sure he noticed the piece of spinach stuck between my teeth.
His face changed instantly.
"You have something..." he said carefully, gesturing toward his own teeth.
I frowned.
"Here?"
I stuck my pinky finger into my mouth.
His expression tightened.
"No. The other side."
"Oh."
I moved my finger.
"Here?"
"No. You're left."
"Here?"
Still wrong.
Finally, I pushed my chair back.
The entire table watched as I stood.
Then I walked around toward him.
I leaned down and opened my mouth.
"Get it out for me, would you?"
The room went completely silent.
Not just the guests.
Even the servants froze.
Everyone stared.
Dominic looked at me like I had just asked him to do something completely absurd.
Which, honestly, was exactly what I wanted.
I knew him.
I knew every tiny thing that irritated him.
Every habit he disliked.
Every little boundary that made him uncomfortable.
Two lifetimes with someone taught you a lot about them.
And I intended to use every piece of knowledge I had.
Finally.
A reaction.
"Ellie."
Dominic carefully placed his fork down.
His voice remained controlled, but I could hear the strain underneath.
"Maybe you should go and rest."
I straightened slowly.
A smile still rested on my lips.
"What?"
"You don't like the way I'm acting?"
His jaw tightened.
"Not particularly, no."
I tilted my head.
"Well, this is just how I am."
I leaned closer.
"Maybe if you don't like it, you should divorce me."
The effect was immediate.
Dominic froze.
Marcus nearly choked on his drink.
Vivian gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth.
And me?
I simply stared at Dominic.
Waiting.
Begging without saying the words.
Do it.
Divorce me.
End this.
But he didn't.
He just looked at me.
Silent.
Unreadable.
Refusing to give me what I wanted.
The frustration that hit me felt almost like another betrayal.
I knew it wouldn't be that easy.
I knew he wouldn't simply agree.
But some stupid part of me had hoped.
Still...
I wasn't done.
Not even close.
This was only the beginning.
Keeping my smile perfectly in place, I reached for my wine glass and walked out of the dining room.
I wasn't leaving empty-handed.
If I had to make Dominic regret keeping me here, then I would.
One way or another.