1 Five years into their marriage of convenience, Julian Thorne and Elara Vance remained strangers. Even their intimacies were polite. Julian would kiss Elara’s collarbone, "I'm beginning." He'd undress her, "Is this alright?" And when he entered her, he'd hoarsely whisper, "Tell me if you're uncomfortable." After three hours, Elara gasped, "I can't take any more. Can we stop?" Julian froze, apologizing, then pulled away. "I'm going to shower," Elara said, heading to the bathroom. Julian, trembling slightly, dressed, hiding his kiss marks. While she showered, he pulled a divorce agreement from the nightstand. Five years. Time to end it. Everyone knew the Thorne-Vance union was a business alliance. Julian and Elara were a "model couple." But secretly, each loved another. Elara's heart belonged to Liam, her adopted brother, a forbidden love. Julian’s beloved, Seraphina Frost, had died five years ago. One, a brutal separation; the other, death’s finality. On their wedding day, they confessed their affections. They agreed to a five-year contract: fulfilling duties without emotion, for family business and to avoid marriage pressure. Now, it was time to part. Julian was about to speak when the bathroom door opened. Elara rushed out, hair dripping, grabbing car keys. "So late? Where are you going?" Julian asked. "Liam had a nightmare. I need to be with him," she replied, her voice urgent. Julian always respected her visits to Liam. But tonight was different. "Could you spare five minutes? Important discussion." Elara paused. "Very important?" Julian softly confirmed. Her phone rang. It was Liam, tearful: "Elara? Why aren't you here? I need to tell you something…" Elara's eyes softened. "I'll be right there." She hung up. "Just do as you see fit. No need to discuss." Julian froze, then nodded, handing her the divorce agreement. "Then… sign here." Elara signed without looking, then hurried out. Julian heard her car fade, then called his lawyer. "Divorce agreement signed. How soon can it be dissolved?" "One-month cooling-off period, Mr. Thorne." Relieved, Julian booked a flight to Veridia, a southern city. His friend, Marcus, had seen a poor university student there, Clarissa, who looked just like Seraphina. Julian couldn't bear her hardship. He decided to support her. Her grandmother was in Veridia, so she couldn't move to Arcadia. Julian, with no ties in Arcadia, would move. Seeing Seraphina's face daily would be enough. 2 That night, Julian dreamt beautifully, waking with a smile. Soon, he'd be free from his marriage charade, seeing Clarissa daily. He wished the waiting period would end. At breakfast, he heard Elara enter, followed by Liam and bodyguards. Elara, in blue, beamed. Liam, in black, slung an arm around her, looking intimate. Elara explained: "Liam's had nightmares; he needs me nearby. He's staying here for a while." She offered Julian a gift-wrapped watch: "Compensation for you." Julian gently refused: "No need. We have space." Elara seemed surprised: "You're not angry?" Julian, more surprised, countered: "Angry about what? He'll be moving in anyway, next month." Elara looked blank. Liam, however, smirked: "Thank you, Mr. Thorne." Liam never called Julian "brother-in-law." Five years ago, Liam had smashed Julian's wedding suite, screaming that Julian stole Elara. Elara had calmed him, and her devotion to Liam never wavered. She still spoiled him, ignored Julian. "Elara," Liam whined, shaking her arm, "amusement park?" Elara's gaze softened. "Yes, darling. Soon." She looked at Julian. He smiled mildly: "You two go. Let the staff know if you'll be back for dinner." Liam smirked again: "Thank you, Mr. Thorne." Julian ignored the challenge, returning to his room. Julian packed all day. By dusk, Elara and Liam weren't back. Julian showered, changed, and lay down. Just as he drifted off, he heard Liam's petulant voice: "Elara, sleep with me, please. I'm scared alone." Elara's voice was gentle but weary: "Liam, my husband's here. It's improper." "What's improper? You like me, I like you! Julian's just a placeholder!" Julian pretended to sleep. Elara murmured, "Liam, I'll always be devoted, but nothing else. I'm married. It would damage your reputation. Just know I'll always love you." Liam’s voice was imperious: "Then you're not allowed to touch him tonight." Elara’s reply was too low to hear. Later, Elara entered. Noticing his suitcases, she asked, "What are these for?" Julian almost told her the truth, but recalling her earlier dismissal, he lied: "Seasonal change. Clearing things out." Elara nodded, then entered the bathroom. When she emerged in a towel, water dripping, she approached Julian, instinctively leaning in for a kiss. Julian stiffened, pushing her away. "Didn't your brother say he didn't want you touching me?" Elara froze: "You heard that?" Julian nodded. She changed the subject: "I want you. Is that alright?" 3 Julian reluctantly nodded. "Alright." Elara kissed him, embracing him fiercely. He groaned, his grip tightening. "My love," she murmured, "again." When Julian awoke, the room was empty. He went downstairs. Elara was gone; only Liam sat at breakfast. Julian asked politely, "Did you sleep well?" Liam ignored him. Julian sighed, noting Liam’s disrespect. He sat to eat. A bite of toast triggered nausea. He rushed to the bathroom, dry-heaving. Emerging, he found Liam at the door, face dark. "What did you two do yesterday?" Liam demanded. Julian froze. Liam exploded, "I tolerated your marriage, but how dare you sleep with my sister!" He spun, yelling at the bodyguards, "Hold him down! Fetch my riding crop!" The guards hesitated. Liam’s eyes turned red. "My sister told you to serve me! Is this how you obey?" The guards seized Julian. Julian struggled, "You misunderstand! It wasn't my idea…" Liam, losing control, grabbed a leather whip from a toolbox. "You dare argue? I won't let you have Elara's love!" He whipped Julian repeatedly. Julian collapsed, cold sweat pouring, vision blurring, until he lost consciousness. He awoke in a hospital bed. He heard the doctor say, "Mr. Vance, even if it's a game, you went too far. Mr. Thorne's skin is covered in marks." 4 Julian slowly opened his eyes. Elara sat by his bed, brows furrowed, guilt in her eyes. "I know. So sorry Liam did that." Julian, still in pain, sighed. "Let the authorities handle it. He needs to reflect." He reached for his phone, but Elara snatched it. "No! Liam didn't mean to. Let it go." Julian froze. "So I suffered for nothing?" Elara was silent. "My apologies. I'll compensate you, but don't trouble Liam." Julian sighed again. "You indulge him too much." Elara shook her head. "If your Seraphina were alive, you wouldn't want her hurt, would you?" Julian stiffened. "I understand. Last time." Despite his words, Elara felt a strange discomfort. She stared at him. "Still thinking of her? She's been gone for years." Julian didn't understand. She knew he loved Seraphina. He never interfered with her and Liam. Why was she angry now? Liam called. Elara composed herself, the anger fading. "Liam's causing a scene. I have to go. I'll visit later." Julian watched her leave. "Tell your brother… he seems worried about our intimacy. Don't worry, I won't let you carry my child. I had a vasectomy the day we married." Elara froze. "What?!" Julian looked at her, surprised by her reaction. "I wouldn't father a child with anyone but Seraphina. You understand, right?" Elara’s face darkened. "No, I don't. Go reverse it, immediately. It's a marital duty." Julian shook his head. "We're divorcing. I have no marital duties."
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