Chapter 4 - The Golden CageThe Vale Estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, was less a home and more a fortified medieval fortress updated with bulletproof glass and biometric scanners.
As our car rolled through the wrought-iron gates beneath the glare of security floodlights, Noah stirred in the back seat, burying his face in my coat. Ivy and Owen were fast asleep, completely oblivious to the fact that they had just been spirited away from our apartment by a fleet of armored SUVs.
Sebastian had not given me a choice. When the red-dot laser sights of unknown surveillance teams appeared on my living room window twenty minutes after our argument, the debate had ended.
We were ushered into the grand foyer by a phalanx of silent house staff. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting cold light over marble floors so polished I could see my own terrified reflection.
"Welcome home, Madam," an elderly butler murmured, bowing slightly.
"I am not your mistress, and this is not my home," I snapped, keeping my arms tightly wrapped around Owen as Sebastian carried Noah upstairs.
Before Sebastian could return, a sharp, elegant click of heels echoed across the marble. Clarissa Hart emerged from the formal parlor, draped in silk loungewear, her diamond engagement ring catching the light like a weapon. Her face was twisted into a mask of pure, unadulterated venom.
"Are you insane, Sebastian?" Clarissa’s voice pierced the high ceilings as Sebastian descended the grand staircase. "You drag me out of our engagement gala, you tell the press there's a family emergency, and you bring this—this nobody and her bastard children into our home?"
Sebastian didn't even slow down. He stepped past Clarissa as if she were a piece of stray furniture. "The engagement is canceled, Clarissa. Pack your things and have your driver pick up your belongings by morning."
Clarissa’s face drained of all color, her lips parting in shock. "Canceled? You can't be serious! We are featured on the cover of Town & Country this week! What about my family? What about our merger?"
"Your family's shipping contracts were terminated twenty minutes ago," Sebastian said coldly, pausing on the bottom step. "And if you ever speak to Elena or my children with that tone again, you won't just lose social standing; you will lose your company."
I stood frozen, watching the ruthless power of the man I had once loved playing out before me. Clarissa looked at me with pure hatred, her eyes promising absolute destruction before she turned and stormed toward the West Wing.
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Sebastian turned to me, his expression softening as he reached out to touch my shoulder. "You're safe here, Elena. No one in my family can touch you inside these walls."
"Safe?" I let out a hollow, bitter laugh, shaking off his hand. "Sebastian, I didn't trade one cage for another so I could play prisoner to a family of monsters. Get me a phone. I'm calling a real lawyer."
