Just One Last Dance

Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by the noise downstairs. I rushed to the hallway on the second floor and peered down. Elara was kneeling in the living room, her eyes rimmed with red.

“I’ll never get married!”

Magnus, Lysander’s father, cracked his whip against the ground, his voice thundering with rage, “Elara, you’re in no position to make demands of the Thorne, of me.”

Lysander stepped forward, his tone cautious. “Dad, please. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

Hearing his words, Magnus flew into a fury. He glared at Elara and brought the whip down directly on her. She let out a scream of pain, and just as the second lash was about to fall, Lysander suddenly lunged forward, shielding Elara with his own body.

Elara trembled, her voice thick with anguish. “Brother! Does it hurt? I’m so sorry. This is my entire fault for putting you through it. I won’t get married... unless you are my groom…”

Magnus looked pale with fury, and snapped sharply, “Hold your tongue!” He poked Lysander in the chest, speaking with deadly seriousness, “Lysander! You and Seraphina are perfect match. Are you going to tear it down with your own hands?”

Lysander tilted his head back, meeting my gaze directly. His brow slowly furrowed, a sudden realization dawning on him, “Seraphina, come down.”

Although I didn’t understand why, I instinctively walked over to Lysander’s side. Lysander pressed my hand down, whispered in my ear, “Is it you?”

I didn’t realize what happened until Lysander blamed, “You’re going too far.”

He suspected me of tipping off last night. Otherwise, Magnus wouldn’t rush over early this morning to confront Elara.

I was furious and denied immediately, “It’s not me. I have no idea what you’re talking about…”

But before I could finish my words, Lysander had already turned his head slightly, gagging me with a sudden, gentle kiss.

I froze in place, a hint of confusion flashing in my eyes. This was the first time that Lysander kissed me since they’d started dating. I didn’t know why, but found out the answer soon enough.

Lysander turned to Elara and said in a low voice, “The husband Dad chose for you... isn’t bad at all. Look at me. I’m truly happy now.”

I found his lips curled downward and his gaze resentful, as if he were enduring endless restraint. I finally understood the meaning of his kiss. He just couldn’t have the heart to watch Elara getting hurt because of her stubbornness. A bitterly smirk crossed my face.

As Elara once again collapsed and let out a low sob, Lysander forcibly pulled me into his embrace, deepening the kiss. I struggled desperately to push him away, but it was in vain.

Magnus let out a heavy sigh and left. A farce finally came to an end, and Lysander carried Elara to the hospital. I was left behind alone. Still, that’s fine, peaceful and serene.

Sitting in the living room, I flipped through Elara’s social media again. One of her paintings caught my eyes. It looked exactly like my sister’s work.

In the evening, I was having dinner when Lysander finally returned home. He suddenly grabbed me, a sharp pain spreading all the way up to my wrist.

“What are you doing? Let me go…” I struggled to break free, only to meet his cold glare.

Lysander hurled a accusation at me, “You’ve been constantly being awkward ever since Elara returned home. You’re her sister-in-law. Can’t you just be a little kinder to her?”

I stared straight at him and suddenly laughed. This was the first time Lysander talked a lot to me. I couldn't even keep track of how many words he'd said. Yet he was doing it all for Elara…

Lysander angrily denounced, “Why are you laughing? You have to know Elara is being detained. She’s been pampered since she was a child. How could she endure this hardship!”

I was unusually calm: “Lysander, she is accused of theft!”

Lysander took a deep breath, “So…did you make a confession?”