Bound by lies Trapped by Desire novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Elena’s POVI

My mind kept echoing with Nikolai’s words from earlier.

My

One week.

I had one week to convince my mother to attend this… marriage. Fuck.

The thought tightened in my chest like a noose

Then my eyes shifted to the rack of dresses the employee had just hung on the dressing room hooks. His polite smile lingered before he asked, “Would like my assistance in anything else, mis?”

not

I returned his smile with a tight one of my own and shook my head. “No, thank you.“”

He nodded and exited the room, leaving me alone with the fabric and my spiraling thoughts.

Select one. Nikolai had said.

Was this a test? Some odd

assessment of

My style?

What was the point now! We had already signed the contract. He had already gotten what he wanted.

Hadn’t he!

1 bit my lower lip, chewing at the question rising inside me.

What did he mean by celebrating!

And why had he pulled away when he’d gotten so close so close to kissing me!

I stared at the dresses, the overhead lights making their soft colors glow in the reflection of the mirror. My gur twisted.

Let’s be real, this man–Nikolai Vetrov–was definitely in this for the sex. That much was clear. This contract, this night, all of it was a transaction

Which meant I was probably about to be taken to dinner, maybe a few more smiles and pleasantries, and then! Either a hotel or his penthouse. My stomach churned at the thought. Not because I was afraid–but because I wasn’t

That was somehow worse.

I let o

out a long breath and looked over the dresses again

Three choices.

The beige linen one was comfortable, sure. But it looked like loungewear. Something I’d hear to water the plants or drink tea on a Sunday morning

-not something for a billionaire’s version of celebration.

The white one was a fantasy. It was something a goddess would wear, shimmering and ethereal, designed to cling to every curve. I would probably look like I was drowning in tinsel. So that was a no

Which left me with the soft green chiffon dress.

It was elegant but not flashy. Feminine without tryi

trying too hard. It looked like something that could belong to someone like me.

Decision made, I reached behind me and began unzipping my black dress

The funeral dress

sun or exerted

The one I hadn’t taken off all day. I wrinkled my nose and gave myself a quick sniff. No body odor, thankfully. I hadn’t been in the sun or myself. Sull I felt like I was dragging a two–day–old version of myself around.

My stomach grumbled audibly.

the last fin

Time

TEM

Ah. That sandwich from the hospital cafeteria. The one Nikolai had wordlessly handed me while wo

we were waiting for the doctor.

I sighed as I zipped up the green dress, smoothing it down over my hips. The fabric was soft, flowy–light against my skin.

1/2

8.35 PM

Chapter II

As I stepped out of the dressing room, the first thing I noticed was the way his eyes found me instantly.

Standing across the boutique, looking directly at me.

There was a flicker of something unreadable in his expression–something intense and dark and focused. The kind of look that made your spine straighten without realizing.

I felt my cheeks heal

I wasn’t the shy type. I didn’t flinch under male attention. Hell, I’d had a fiance who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. But with Nikolai. it wasn’t just attention.

It was scrutiny. Deep and unapologetic. Intense.

And

worse. It made me feel things

Things I didn’t want to feel

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Yeah. The fabric’s soft,” I said, touching the skirt absently. “And I like the color

But the memory crept in anyway. Our first date. The green gift box he had prepared for me–filled with green–themed snacks, chips, pastries, candies, even a lime soda. We had laughed through trying every single one. Some were terrible. Some were delicious. It was silly. Sweet Thoughtful

Because on that day, he hadn’t tried to impress me with wealth. He hadn’t famed the Vetrov name. He had met me on my level–created something fun, meaningful

We paid and exited the store. Nikolai didn’t say much, and I was grateful for it.

My stomach was too knotted to feel excited.

We ate. I don’t even remember what I ordered–something with sauce, something soft. He picked a wine that paired well with it, naturally.

Hu guze was steady the entire time, but not invasive.

Afterward, le uood, held my coat, and led me to the car.

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