The Ashes of Vows (Elara and Damon) novel Chapter 6

6

Click!

The studio lights snapped on. I blinked my eyes open into the harsh, blinding light.

I found myself lying in a completely blacked–out room. My clothes had been stripped off… I was naked.

An icy chill instantly engulfed my entire body.

Panic surged, and I curled into a ball, my slender arms hugging my chest. But it was a pathetic attempt at modesty, and the profound weakness made it impossible to move, let alone stand.

“Mrs. Blackwood,” a voice drawled, “you are so stunning. Especially the way you look through my lens.”

From behind the camera, a man let out a chilling chuckle. The dark, gaping lens, like a predatory beast, was aimed directly at me.

“You pervert!

I’m calling the cops!

What you’re doing is illegal!”

I screamed, desperate.

“Oh?

The man sneered.“So you’re gonna press charges against me?

Or against your husband?”

This Estate is my domain, after all. All I’m doing is having you pose as a nude model for art’s sake. I promised Damon I wouldn’t touch you, only take pictures.

But if you’re looking for more… I’m right here.”

“Get out!”

At that moment, I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. I felt like a lamb to the slaughter, lying naked on that soft diffusion fabric… But he had no intention of letting me off the hook.“Yes, good. You look even more captivating when you cry.”

Each flash of the camera was like a knife slicing into my heart. I don’t know how much time passed. Finally, the camera clicked off.

I don’t even remember how I got dressed, or how I managed to drag myself out of that room.

I moved like a shattered puppet, each step heavy and slow, burdened by humiliation.

“Miss Sterling, I’ve photographed tens of thousands of women in my time. But you’re the first one your own husband personally delivered to me,”

A low, taunting chuckle echoed from behind me.

My fingers gripping the doorknob were white. I knew this wasn’t the time to fight back.

My voice came out, raw with self–mockery and a bitter finality:“I’m divorced. He’s not my husband anymore…”

Behind me, the door finally clicked shut.

11:55

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An uncontrollable shiver racked my body. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to conjure a sliver of warmth.

Downstairs, the party was winding down. As I stumbled numbly out of the main hall, I suddenly heard a “BOOM!“—

The next second, fireworks burst across the sky over the Estate.

Brilliant sparks spelled out clearly in the air:“Sloane, Happy Birthday!”

Turns out, this was Damon’s surprise. After midnight, it was Sloane’s birthday…

In the garden nearby, Damon stood under the fireworks, his gaze shining with deep affection in the night.“Happy Birthday, Sloane,” he said.“A dress, a ring, whatever you want, I’ll make it happen.”

As he spoke, he opened a jewelry box in front of Sloane. Inside was that Emerald Ring, the one he’d traded me for…

The crowd around them erupted in cheers:“Kiss her!

Kiss her!”

Damon hadn’t even reacted yet when Sloane was already on her tiptoes, kissing him.

In that moment, a wave of nausea hit me. I crumpled to the ground, retching, until tears streamed down my face. I puked until there was nothing left inside me but pure loathing.

By the time I got back on my feet, a light rain had started to fall. Not far away, Damon was leading Sloane by the hand into a car.

Soon, the Rolls–Royce headlights cut through the rain, driving away from the Estate.

All I got on my phone was a text:“Elle, something came up, Sloane and I had to leave. I sent a car for you.”

“I know this is rough,” he said.“Just hang in there for one more month. I’ll make it worth your while.”

I numbly scrubbed his words from my mind. I didn’t wait for my ride; I just walked straight out, alone, into the pouring rain, without a single backward glance.

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