My Wedding, My Choice novel Chapter 3

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palm, the pain keeping my emotions in check.

Without a word, I walked past Elliot toward the building entrance.

He grabbed my wrist.

"Why did you throw it away?"

Before I could react, he dug through the dumpster, pulled out the bracelet, and reached for my wrist to put it back on me.

I ripped my hand away.

"I don't want it. Let go!"

Elliot froze, gripping the bracelet tightly.

Then, with a look I hadn't seen in a long time, he softened.

"Alyssa, don't do this. Put it back on. It's yours. It'll always be yours."

If I hadn't just heard him promising Nova the world, I might've believed him.

I let out a bitter laugh.

"It's dirty now. I don't want it."

Elliot's expression darkened with embarrassment, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual arrogance.

"I told you, I'm marrying you. You're the only legal Mrs. Alderson. What are you so worried about?"

I met his gaze, cold and unwavering.

"I don't want to be Mrs. Alderson. I told you-we're done."

A muscle in his jaw twitched.

"You're always like this. Stubborn. Difficult."

"If you were even half as gentle as Nova, I wouldn't have been drawn to her."

"Do you know how exhausting you are? Nova is the only place I can breathe."

I scoffed.

"Then why are you still here? Go be comfortable."

I yanked my arm free and walked away.

His voice rang out behind me, cold and sharp.

"If you don't marry me, what are you going to do about the debt?"

I stopped in my tracks. My face went pale as I turned to look at him.

He spoke slowly, deliberately.

"The deadline is a month away. Do you have two hundred grand lying around?"

His words cut deep, sharper than any knife.

Back when my dad needed a kidney transplant, Elliot had offered to cover the cost using company funds.

But I knew the company was struggling, so I refused. Instead, I took out a loan in my own name.

And now, that debt had become his bargaining chip.

"Alyssa, stop being difficult. Marry me."

"Everything will stay the same-except for the wedding. I'll take care of the debt."

"I'll treat you with respect. You're my strongest support."

"Nova is my comfort. I need you both."

"It was heated, desperate-like he wanted to devour her whole.

A moment later, catching his breath, Elliot ran his fingers through her hair and whispered:

"Nova, don't be afraid. I won't let her make things hard for you. The wedding is yours alone, my love is yours alone. What I have with her is just an obligation-there's no love left."

"I've planned everything. I'll only have kids with you."

"Marriage certificate or not, they'll still have inheritance rights. Everything I have is yours-except for a piece of paper."

They kissed again, lost in each other.

Their hushed voices and soft gasps cut through the dark like a blade.

My chest clenched. It felt like every ounce of strength drained from my body in an instant.

I covered my mouth, swallowing back my sobs.

Then, forcing my numb legs to move, I turned and left as fast as I could.

The scene I had just witnessed-it was familiar.

We had stood in front of this same window once, holding each other, kissing like nothing else in the world mattered.

It was right after we rented these two floors of office space.

He and I had stayed late, putting the place together, working until night fell.

We never turned the lights on.

He held me in his arms, gazing out at the glittering city skyline.

"Alyssa, I'm so lucky. No matter what happens, as long as you're here, I feel at peace."

"Alyssa, trust me. I'm going to make it. I'll give you the best of everything."