My Brother-In-Law Pursued Me, But It Was Too Late

Without a word, Stellan scooped Juliet into his arms. As he turned to leave, he cast Elara a cold glance. "Your sister got injured because of you. Shouldn’t you go back and take care of her?" Then, without waiting for a response, he walked away, his indifference cutting deeper than any blade. Elara lowered her gaze to her bandaged hands. Beneath the gauze, the wounds were still raw—jagged scars left by shattered glass just a week ago. That night, she and Juliet had argued over the past, over the lies that had ruined everything. In the heat of the moment, Juliet had shoved her down the stairs, sending her crashing into a porcelain vase. Yet somehow, the story twisted. By the time the dust settled, it was Elara who had become the villain. "She tried to seduce Stellan again," Juliet had cried, her voice trembling with well-practiced innocence. "When I confronted her, she got angry and pushed me down the stairs!" Elara had denied it, had fought to defend herself, but it didn’t matter. Stellan had already made up his mind. The betrayal from five years ago had hardened him, and now, every accusation against her was a confirmation of the woman he already believed her to be. A year ago, tragedy had struck—the Whitmore Family mansion had gone up in flames, taking her adoptive parents with it. In the aftermath, Juliet had moved into Stellan’s home. And with nowhere else to go, so had Elara. But this wasn’t a home. It was a prison. As soon as she stepped through the door that night, Stellan seized her wrist, dragging her into the living room before she could even take off her coat. "Juliet’s legs hurt. You should massage them. And wash her feet while you’re at it." Elara’s breath caught in her throat. Juliet sat comfortably on the sofa, a basin of warm water placed before her, waiting. "Stellan, Elara's hand is still injured. This isn't right," Juliet said softly, a gentle smile on her lips. Elara clenched her fists. That fake kindness—it was suffocating. When she didn't move, Stellan shoved her forward. "Juliet's leg was injured because of you. You owe her this." "I don't owe her anything," Elara bit out, her teeth clenched to hold back the tears stinging her eyes. Stellan’s patience snapped. Grabbing her injured hand, he forced it into the basin of water. A sharp, searing pain shot through her, making her body tremble. "You owe Juliet," he said coldly. "And you owe me even more." He knew exactly how to break her. "Massage Juliet. You’re a doctor, aren’t you? You should know how to make her feel better." The words stabbed deep, but Elara swallowed the pain and did as he said. With each movement, her torn skin protested, and soon, the water in the basin turned bright red. "Ah! Blood!" Juliet shrieked. A second later, her foot lashed out, kicking Elara square in the face. The impact sent Elara crashing to the ground, the basin spilling beside her. Water and blood mixed beneath her hands, her vision spinning. "Get out of my sight!" Stellan’s voice was like ice. "You can’t even do something this simple. If you scare Juliet again, I won’t let you off." Then, as if she were made of porcelain, he scooped Juliet into his arms. She curled against his chest, looking fragile and shaken. "Elara, don’t blame me for reacting this way," she murmured, gently resting a hand on her stomach. "The first three months are the most important. This is Stellan’s and my first child—I have to be careful." The words were like a thunderclap in Elara’s mind. She knew this day would come, but the reality of it still crushed her. Her throat tightened as if invisible hands were strangling her. She looked up at Stellan, searching for something—anything—in his face. But he wouldn’t even meet her gaze. Without a word, he carried Juliet upstairs, disappearing into the bedroom. Elara stood frozen before finally dragging herself back to her room. Her hands trembled as she treated the wound, each movement mechanical, detached. Then, she reached for the rural appointment form. Her last escape. If she didn’t sign this form, there was still a chance to turn back. But if she did… A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She hesitated before opening it. Stellan stood there, his face unreadable. "This is medicine from the army." His voice was gruff. Elara didn’t reach for it, but he shoved it into her hands anyway.

"Go out with hands like that, and people will think I—your brother-in-law—bully you at home." Stellan’s gaze flickered toward the blood-soaked gauze Elara had tossed into the trash. A trace of something—guilt, perhaps—flashed in his eyes, but it was gone before it could take root. His expression darkened when his gaze landed on Elara’s desk. Without warning, he strode over, his movements sharp with anger. Elara’s heart clenched. His hand reached toward the appointment form— But then, his fingers bypassed the document entirely and picked up a photograph instead. "This is the man you've been thinking about all these years?" His voice dripped with accusation. Elara’s stomach twisted as she saw what he was holding—a picture from her college days, a group photo with her classmates. Stellan’s grip tightened as he yanked her closer, his eyes boring into hers as if trying to see through her soul. "Elara, are you that desperate? After all these years, you still can't forget a man?" Elara met his gaze, unflinching. "I'm not. That’s just my classmate." Her voice was steady, but the defiance in her dark eyes only seemed to provoke him further. Without thinking, Stellan lowered his head and kissed her. Elara immediately turned away, but that only fueled his anger. "Aren’t you cheap? Didn’t you miss a man? Then I’ll satisfy you today—" With that, he shoved her onto the bed, his presence suffocating, his weight pressing down on her. Elara opened her mouth, about to fight back, to tell him the truth— But then, a voice rang from outside. "Stellan, my stomach feels a little uncomfortable… I wonder if the baby is hungry." Juliet. Stellan froze. In the next second, he pushed Elara away as if burned. "You’re nothing special." The words cut through her, peeling back layers of pain and humiliation and throwing them into the gutter. He stood, his face cold, his presence even colder. When he reached the door, he glanced back, his tone emotionless. "Go to the kitchen and make something for Juliet." Then he was gone. Through the crack in the door, his voice drifted down the corridor, soft, gentle—so unlike the man who had just been in this room. "Juliet, you’re pregnant and you’ve sprained your ankle. If you need anything, just ask your useless sister to do it. Just rest." Elara sat up slowly, the weight in her chest suffocating. Her gaze fell on the appointment form. This time, there was no hesitation. She picked up a pen and signed her name. After tending to her wounds, she went to the kitchen, prepared a bowl of noodles, and carried it to Juliet’s room. The door was slightly ajar. Inside, the two figures on the bed were entwined. "Stellan, the doctor said to be careful in the first three months," Juliet’s voice was sweet, coy. "Can you be a little gentler?" Stellan’s deep voice murmured against Juliet’s neck, “Juliet, I love you.” Elara clutched the bowl of noodles so tightly that tears slipped from her cheeks and fell into the broth. Outside, fireworks lit up the sky, but inside the mansion, she felt utterly alone—a discarded soul amidst the celebration. The next day, Elara went downstairs and found the old nanny, Celeste, bustling in the kitchen. “Miss, please wake up. I made chicken soup for Miss Juliet. Would you like some?” Juliet shook her head and prepared to head out. Celeste’s eyes fell on the bandaged wound on Elara’s hand, and she sighed. “Miss Elara, what about your hand? Aren’t you going to explain what happened to the team leader?” Celeste, a long-serving member of the Whitmore household, had once been destined to return to her hometown when things went awry. But Stellan, fearing that Juliet wouldn’t adjust to life on her own, had asked her to stay and care for her instead. For a moment, Elara remembered the echo of “I love you” that Stellan had whispered to Juliet. The memory only deepened her sorrow. “There’s no point in explaining,” she replied quietly, resigning herself to her fate. With that, Elara gathered her resolve, left the mansion, and went to the hospital to hand in her appointment form.

The director regarded Elara with a trace of regret in his eyes. She had been the most outstanding doctor he had ever mentored—losing her was a true waste of talent. After leaving the hospital, Elara walked to a nearby phone booth and dialed a familiar number. "Van, the hospital has approved my appointment for the rural support program. I'll be leaving on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month." On the other end, Evander’s voice burst with excitement. "That’s great! I knew you’d figure things out. Everything’s been arranged—I’m just waiting for you to get here." After hanging up, Elara stepped out of the phone booth, only for a military jeep to screech to a stop in front of her. The window rolled down, revealing Stellan’s cold, unreadable expression. "First day of the new year, and instead of being on duty at the hospital, you’re out wandering around. What are you up to? Looking for another wild man?" Elara’s face paled. Just as she opened her mouth to retort, a familiar, sickeningly sweet voice cut in. "Stellan said he’s going to marry me soon," Juliet chimed, poking her head out from beside him. "Today, as a soon-to-be son-in-law, he should pay respects to his future in-laws. You should come too, Elara!" Stellan cast Elara a cold glance and scoffed. "Someone as heartless and ungrateful as her? How could she possibly remember the adoptive parents who raised her?" Stellan blocked her path before she could refuse, leaving Elara with no choice but to get into the car. At the cemetery, she stood motionless in front of the tombstone, watching Juliet sob dramatically, pouring her grief into the cold stone as if she were the only daughter who had ever mattered. Elara had come to the Whitmore Family when she was ten years old—along with a fortune. Her parents, maritime traders, had perished in a tragic accident at sea, leaving her in the care of her aunt, Sylvia Whitmore. With her inheritance, the Whitmore Family quickly secured their place in Westbridge, using the power and wealth she brought to elevate themselves. Eventually, they even leveraged that very fortune to separate her from Stellan. To say she didn't hate them would be a lie. A mocking voice pulled her from her thoughts. "You really are ungrateful," Stellan sneered. "Your adoptive parents raised you all those years, and you can't even shed a tear?" "Stellan, don't say that about Elara," Juliet interjected with a gentle, understanding tone. "After all, she's not their biological daughter. I can understand her indifference. As long as our Whitmore Family has a clear conscience, that's what matters." Stellan pulled Juliet into his arms, looking at her with heartache. "You’re too kind, Juliet. That’s why you’ve always been bullied by this adopted daughter." His voice turned softer, yet his gaze remained locked on Elara, sharp and unrelenting. "Don't worry. From now on, I'll protect you. No one will ever dare to hurt you again." Elara clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palm, tearing open the wound she had yet to treat. The ride back was suffocatingly silent. Just as Elara was about to ask Stellan to drop her off at the next intersection, a speeding car suddenly lost control and veered straight toward them. Stellan reacted instantly, yanking the steering wheel to the side. The impact sent their vehicle careening into a wall. Elara and Juliet, both seated in the back, were thrown forward at the moment of collision. At the last second, Stellan turned, shielding Juliet with his body. Elara, unprotected, crashed headfirst into the windshield. When the car finally came to a jarring stop, Stellan immediately turned to Juliet. "Juliet, are you hurt?" His voice was laced with concern. Juliet clung to him, trembling violently. "Stellan, my stomach... it hurts so much." Without hesitation, Stellan kicked the car door open and carried her out in his arms. Blood streamed down Elara’s forehead, blurring her vision. Every breath she took sent sharp, searing pain through her chest, as though her internal organs had been crushed. She tried to lift a hand—perhaps to call out, perhaps just to move—but no one even glanced back at her. "Stellan," Juliet murmured weakly, her voice laced with hesitation. "What about Elara? She… she looks injured."

Juliet clung tightly to Stellan’s neck, her delicate fingers pressing into his shoulder. As they walked away, she glanced back at Elara, who lay motionless on the ground, her breath faint, her body barely holding on. Stellan didn’t pause. If anything, his steps quickened, his grip on Juliet tightening. "If she dies, she dies," his voice was cold, devoid of emotion. "You and the child are all that matter to me." The words sliced through Elara like a blade, severing the last fragile thread of love she still held for him. The warmth in her eyes dimmed, and as darkness swallowed her, she let her lids fall shut. --- When she woke again, she was in a hospital ward, the sterile scent filling her lungs. "Doctor Whitmore, you’re finally awake!" A nurse’s relieved voice broke through the haze. "Any later, and we might’ve lost you." The city was already buzzing with news—Captain Pierce’s car had burst into flames on a busy street. "Luckily, a group of migrant workers was passing by. They risked their lives to pull you out. If not for them, you’d have burned to ashes." Elara’s throat felt dry. She licked her lips, the bitterness in her chest heavier than before. "Where’s Stellan?" The nurse hesitated, her expression softening into pity. "Captain Pierce hasn’t left your sister’s side since the accident. Juliet was so shaken she almost miscarried. He called in the best gynecologist, turned the entire hospital upside down for her." Elara reached up, pressing her fingers against her forehead, a wry chuckle escaping her lips. --- By afternoon, she forced herself out of bed, her steps unsteady but determined. As she reached the corridor, hushed whispers drifted from a group of nurses nearby. "Captain Pierce truly spoils his fiancée. Her ward is overflowing with flowers and gifts." "I heard the wedding date is set for the fifteenth. He even handed out wedding candy today." "And Elara? She nearly died, yet Captain Pierce hasn’t even visited her." "She deserves it. She abandoned him for another man, and now she has the audacity to try and win him back? Shameless! And let’s not forget—he’s her brother-in-law now." Elara’s fingers tightened around the railing, her nails digging into her palm. A presence loomed behind her. She turned, meeting the familiar gaze of Juliet. "You heard everything, didn’t you?" Juliet’s voice had lost its usual softness, now sharp and edged with triumph. "Stellan and I are getting married soon. If you have any sense, you’ll move out of the Pierce Family mansion before then." Elara held her gaze, her own voice turning cold. "Don’t worry. I’ll leave." Juliet let out a light chuckle, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I know you’re bitter. After all, you were the one who met Stellan first. But what can you do? You just weren’t good enough to keep him." Elara’s expression darkened. "If Stellan knew the truth about what happened back then… do you think he’d still love you?" Juliet’s smirk wavered—just for a second—before twisting into something even crueler. "Go ahead. Tell him," she sneered. "Do you really think he’d believe you?" Then, without warning, she staggered backward, her body tilting precariously. And she fell. Before Elara could react, Juliet had already collapsed onto the ground, tears streaking down her delicate face. "Elara, I know you're angry with me because of Stellan," she choked out, her voice trembling. "But you were the one who looked down on him and left him. How can you blame me for stepping in?" Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, she gasped softly, her fingers gently resting on her stomach. "If you love Stellan that much… I can get rid of the baby and give him back to you, okay?" The words had barely left her lips when a sudden force slammed into Elara. She staggered backward, crashing onto the cold hospital floor. The IV needle ripped from her hand, sending blood splattering across her hospital gown in thin crimson trails. "Elara, you dare lay a hand on Juliet?!" Stellan’s voice was laced with fury. His sharp gaze bore into her like a blade, his whole body seething with rage. He loomed over her, his expression dark and menacing, as if he wanted to crush her beneath his heel. "I… I didn’t push her," Elara gasped, her breath shaky. Pain radiated through her limbs as she forced herself to meet his gaze, her bloodshot eyes filled with disbelief. "She did it herself." "You’re still lying?" Stellan’s voice dropped to a dangerous low, his disgust palpable.

Stellan cradled Juliet in his arms, his voice low and soothing. "Juliet, don’t be afraid. I would rather die than marry someone like Elara. A cruel, shameless woman like her disgusts me—just looking at her makes me sick." The crowd murmured in agreement, their judgment sharp and merciless. "How shameless! She actually wants to steal her sister's man." "Everyone knows Elara was the one who abandoned Captain Pierce first. And now she has the audacity to come crawling back?" "Juliet is already pregnant, and she still wants to interfere? This isn’t just cheap—it’s despicable." Their words sliced into Elara like a thousand blades. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms until pain grounded her. It was like being stripped bare in front of the world—humiliated, trampled on, despised. "It's not like that. It was—" She tried to speak, to explain, but before she could utter another word, Juliet let out a pained gasp, clutching her belly. "Stellan, my stomach… it hurts so much." Her voice quivered, laced with panic. "Is something wrong with our child? What should I do? I'm so scared." Stellan’s gaze turned icier than ever as it fell on Elara, his voice laced with lethal intent. "You’d better pray that Juliet and the baby are safe," he warned, his tone seething with barely restrained fury. "Because if anything happens to them… you will pay for it with your life." With that, he turned his back on her, carrying Juliet away without hesitation. Elara stood frozen, watching them disappear, her heart crumbling into irreparable shards. In this world, a woman's reputation was worth more than her life. And now, hers was ruined beyond redemption—tainted, trampled, spat upon. Elara spent a full week in the hospital before she was finally discharged. She didn’t go home right away. Instead, she took advantage of the eighth day of the first lunar month to go straight to work and apply for a household registration transfer. This time, she wasn’t coming back. As she stepped out of the police station, the lively chatter from the marriage registration office next door caught her attention. Without thinking, her feet carried her in that direction. The entrance was packed with people, laughter and teasing filling the air. "Captain Pierce, now that it's official, shouldn’t you kiss your bride?" "Captain, my wife is pregnant too. Are you going to hand out wedding candies?" "Kiss! Kiss!" In the middle of it all, Stellan and Juliet stood together. Juliet's face was flushed with shyness, as if she had just won the greatest prize in the world. Then, at that moment, Stellan’s gaze flickered past the crowd—straight to Elara. Their eyes met. Elara felt the air still around her. But just as quickly, she looked away. Without hesitation, she turned and walked off. Outside, snow fell in thick, soundless sheets. The excitement and celebration behind her had nothing to do with her anymore. Watching her retreating figure, Stellan suddenly felt something in his chest snap—like something precious had slipped through his fingers forever. But instead of stopping her, he let go of Juliet and pulled her into a casual embrace, flashing a smile at the crowd. "This is a matter between husband and wife," he said smoothly. "How can you all be so nosy?" Laughter erupted around them, but his eyes no longer held the light they once did. --- Elara returned to the Pierce Family mansion only to find it dressed in red. Large, bold "double happiness" characters were pasted outside, red lanterns swayed at the entrance, and the entire house pulsed with a festive air. As she stepped inside, she saw Aunt Celeste coming down the stairs, a familiar box in her arms. Elara’s heart clenched. She recognized that box. It was hers. Aunt Celeste hesitated when she saw Elara, an apologetic look crossing her face. "The head of the household said he will be marrying Miss Juliet soon," she explained hesitantly. "It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to stay upstairs anymore… so he asked me to move your things to the small room downstairs." A small room. The one reserved for the nanny. Aunt Celeste extended the box. "I also found this under your bed." Elara reached out, taking the box into her arms. Inside were all the small things Stellan had given her back when they were still together. She held them tightly, her fingers trembling slightly.

Inside the box were enamel dolls, foreign exchange pens, delicate gardenia hairpins, and scarves—scarves that he had clumsily learned to knit just for her. Each item had once been a token of his love. Now, they meant nothing. Elara turned without hesitation, walked out the door, and threw the box into the trash can beside her. Just as she dusted off her hands, a familiar voice rang out. "What are you doing?" Elara froze for a brief second before turning around. Stellan stood a few steps away, his hand resting protectively on Juliet’s waist as they approached. She met his gaze with icy indifference. "Just tossing out some unwanted garbage," she said coolly. "Does Captain Pierce really need to concern himself with that?" Her voice was as cold as a winter’s frost, sending a chill through the air. Stellan’s brows furrowed even deeper. "I let you stay here because you're Juliet’s sister," he said, his tone sharp. "You should at least contribute something to this household. You can’t expect to live here for free." He deliberately stressed the last two words. Before Elara could respond, Juliet let out a soft gasp and tugged at his sleeve. "Stellan, how can you say that to Elara?" she scolded gently, then turned to Elara with a sisterly smile. "You’re my sister. You’re free to stay at the Pierce Mansion for as long as you like." Beneath her words was a clear message: Leave. Elara felt a wave of nausea just looking at her. "Don’t worry," she said, her voice steady but firm. "I won’t be here for long." Her words made Stellan’s expression darken, a heavy pressure settling in his chest like a stone. --- That night, just as Elara was about to rest, a knock sounded at her door. Assuming it was Aunt Celeste, she got up and opened it—only to be hit with the sharp scent of alcohol. Stellan stood in the doorway, bloodshot eyes locking onto her with a terrifying intensity. "You're moving out?" His voice was hoarse, edged with suppressed rage. "Which wild man did you hook up with outside this time?" Before she could react, he shoved her backward, kicking the door shut behind him. Trapped between the door and his overpowering presence, Elara’s breath hitched. "Why," he muttered, voice low and dangerous, "can’t you ever just be content?" "You're drunk." Elara tried to push him away, but Stellan’s grip tightened around her wrists, locking her in place. "Tell me," he demanded, his voice laced with bitter jealousy. "Where do you plan to move? Who is it this time? A battalion commander? A brigade commander?" His fingers dug into her skin, sending a sharp pain through her arms. Elara clenched her jaw, ready to tell him the truth—that she was leaving for the countryside to support the cause. But before she could say a word, a delicate, pitiful voice echoed from the living room. "Stellan? Where are you? I'm scared being alone..." Juliet. The moment her voice reached him, the wildness in Stellan’s expression disappeared. In an instant, his grip loosened, and he shoved Elara aside. His gaze hardened as he looked down at her. "You’d better behave," he warned coldly. "You’re my sister-in-law now. Every move you make reflects on me." With that, he turned and left. Elara stood frozen for a moment before her knees buckled, and she slid down against the door. Outside, Juliet's voice carried through the thin walls, soft and coy. "Stellan, this isn’t good... Elara is still living downstairs." "What are you afraid of?" Stellan’s tone was impatient. "She wants to stay in the Pierce Mansion—she’ll just have to get used to hearing these things." "But I'm pregnant!" Juliet protested, her voice tinged with shyness. "The doctor said it’s best not to in the first three months..." "Doctor?" Stellan scoffed. "Isn’t there a doctor living in this house? Since she hasn’t said anything, it must not be a big deal." Elara didn’t listen any further. She pulled the blanket over her head, shutting out the voices, shutting out the pain. It didn’t matter anymore. Her hospital transfer was complete. Her train ticket was already purchased. Tomorrow, she would leave. Tomorrow, Stellan and Juliet would be married.

"I envy Juliet so much! I heard Captain Pierce is throwing a grand Western-style wedding in a church, and even Juliet’s wedding dress was custom-made just for her." "Captain Pierce is famous for doting on his wife. That Elara is really ungrateful—she left such a good man behind. I bet she must be regretting it now." Elara walked silently beside the director of surgery, who was personally escorting her to the hospital gate. The idle gossip about Stellan and Juliet’s wedding trailed after her like a shadow, each word stabbing deeper than the last. The director glanced at her with sympathy. "Elara, don’t let their words get to you. I know you’re a good girl. If you ever want to come back, just contact me anytime." "Come back where?" A deep voice suddenly cut in. Elara stiffened. Stellan’s sudden appearance startled her. "Captain Pierce, you don’t know yet?" The director hesitated, about to explain Elara’s resignation, but Stellan interrupted him coldly. "I don’t care about her affairs. There’s no need to tell me." The director swallowed his words, sighed, and returned to the hospital. Without another glance at her, Stellan handed Elara a receipt. "Go pick up Juliet’s wedding dress. I have other things to do." Before she could respond, he had already driven off, leaving her standing there, gripping the receipt with trembling fingers. Elara made her way to the bridal shop, collected Juliet’s wedding dress, and took it home. The house was quiet—Juliet wasn’t there. Taking the opportunity, Elara returned to her room and resumed packing her luggage. But just as she was folding her last piece of clothing, a sharp sob echoed from outside. Startled, she rushed out. Juliet stood in the living room, clutching the wedding dress, tears streaming down her face. Beside her, Stellan frowned, his expression dark with concern. The moment Elara stepped forward, Juliet lunged at her. Slap! The sharp sting burned across Elara’s cheek. "Elara!" Juliet’s voice trembled with rage. "I’ve always treated you well, always protected you. How could you destroy my wedding dress the day before my wedding?!" Elara pressed a hand to her throbbing cheek, her gaze falling to the wedding dress now shredded into unrecognizable pieces. Her breath caught in her throat. "I didn’t do it. I swear, I didn’t." "If it wasn’t you, then did Juliet destroy it herself?" Stellan’s voice was ice-cold as he pulled Juliet protectively into his arms, his gaze filled with nothing but disgust. "You and Juliet were the only ones in this house. I never expected you to be so vile." A lump formed in Elara’s throat. The helplessness, the injustice of it all, pressed down on her chest like a weight she couldn’t shake off. "It really wasn’t me," she whispered. "Why can’t you trust me? Just once?" She met his eyes, almost pleading. But Stellan didn’t waver. His gaze remained distant, merciless. "What about you is worth trusting?" His voice was devoid of warmth. With that, he turned away, pulling Juliet along with him. "Let’s go buy a new one," he murmured gently. "Tomorrow, I’ll make sure you’re the happiest bride in the world." Elara watched as Juliet walked away, pride gleaming in her eyes. At that moment, whatever lingering hope remained in Elara’s heart crumbled into nothing. By dawn, she left Pierce Mansion with her suitcase, not sparing a single glance back. The streets bustled with life—cars honked, vendors called out, and pedestrians hurried along. From a distance, a convoy of wedding cars approached, led by a military jeep. "Captain Pierce’s wedding is truly grand! He must love his wife so much." "I envy Juliet. Finding a husband like him is a dream come true." The murmurs of the crowd reached Elara’s ears, but she didn’t react. She didn’t even lift her gaze. With steady steps, she walked past the wedding procession, heading in the opposite direction. Inside one of the cars, Stellan sat in silence, gazing absently out the window. For a fleeting moment, he caught sight of a familiar figure. A slender frame, a determined stride—then, just as quickly, she disappeared into the sea of onlookers. A strange pang twisted in his chest. He didn’t understand it, didn’t want to. Yet, without warning, an image of Elara’s stubborn face surfaced in his mind, refusing to fade. "Stellan, what’s wrong?" Juliet’s voice pulled Stellan back to reality. He blinked, suddenly aware that they had arrived at the church. A sea of expectant eyes watched him, waiting for him to carry Juliet out of the car. "It’s nothing." His voice was light, almost distracted. He lifted Juliet into his arms, but his gaze instinctively swept across the crowd. He was looking for someone. Yet, no matter how much he searched, that familiar figure was nowhere to be seen. His brows furrowed. Turning to his subordinate, he asked, "Have you seen Elara today?" The man hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No, sir. Dr. Whitmore hasn’t been around since this morning." Juliet noticed the flicker of discomfort in Stellan’s expression and smiled reassuringly. She held his arm gently. "Maybe Elara is still upset about the wedding dress yesterday. I’ll apologize to her after the wedding. Don’t worry too much." Stellan’s expression hardened. "Who’s worried about her?" His tone was sharp, defensive. "I just don’t want people gossiping. If your own sister doesn’t attend your wedding, rumors will spread." Hearing this, Juliet’s smile deepened with satisfaction. "Stellan, you’re always so thoughtful." With the ceremony approaching, Juliet was escorted to the bridal waiting room. The moment she was out of sight, Stellan’s demeanor changed. His jaw tightened, and his voice dropped into a cold command. "Find Elara. Tell her that if she dares to miss my wedding, she will never have to step foot in the Pierce Family mansion again." His fingers curled into fists. Elara, you will know what it means to have your heart torn apart, to feel pain that cuts through bone. Just then, the housekeeper, Celeste, walked past, carrying a shawl. Stellan stopped her abruptly. "Where is Elara?" Celeste hesitated before replying, "Miss Whitmore left early this morning… with a suitcase."