Chapter 3 - The Broken Engagement
Elena Vance didn't back down. She was the daughter of Marcus Vance, a real estate mogul whose legitimate front masked some of the dirtiest money in the Midwest. She had been promised to Vincent Calder since she was twenty-one—an alliance of blood, power, and territory.
""Our families have ties going back forty years, Vincent!"" Elena hissed, stepping closer. Her sharp eyes darted across the room, finally locking onto Nora and Lucy. Her perfectly sculpted lips twisted into a look of absolute disgust. ""And who are these people? Why is the domestic help sitting at your dining table eating your food? Have you completely lost your mind?""
Nora immediately stood up, her cheeks burning with humiliation. ""I apologize. We were just leaving—""
""Sit down, Nora,"" Vincent commanded. The authority in his voice was absolute, rattling the glassware in the cabinets.
Nora froze mid-step. Lucy, sensing the tension, crawled off her stool and hid behind Nora’s legs, clutching Captain Carrot tightly against her chest. Bishop rose from his spot by the pantry, a low, warning vibration humming deep in his massive chest as he stared at Elena.
""You speak to anyone in my home with disrespect again, Elena, and you will leave this property on foot,"" Vincent said, rising to his full height. Towering over her, his presence was suffocating. ""Nora lives here. Her daughter eats here. You, on the other hand, are trespassing.""
Elena turned crimson beneath her foundation. She looked from Vincent to Nora, her eyes narrowing as a toxic realization dawned on her. ""You broke off our engagement... for a maid?"" she spat, venom dripping from every syllable. ""A destitute little charity case with a bastard child?""
Before Vincent could speak, Lucy poked her head out from behind Nora's skirt. ""My mommy is not a case! And you are very mean! Go in timeout!""
Frank smothered another laugh into his coffee cup.
Elena looked as if she had been slapped across the face with a wet towel. ""Control your brat!"" she shrieked, taking an aggressive step toward Lucy.
In an instant, Vincent moved. His body was a blur of pure kinetic energy. He intercepted Elena, grabbing her wrist with iron precision before she could get within three feet of Nora and Lucy. Bishop moved forward simultaneously, planting himself in front of the mother and child, teeth bared in a silent, terrifying snarl.
""Get out,"" Vincent whispered. The quietness of his tone was far more terrifying than a scream. ""If you ever come near this child again, or if you ever breathe a single insult toward Nora, I will take your father's ports, his real estate portfolio, and his freedom before sundown. Test me.""
Elena gasped in pain as Vincent released her wrist with a flick of his arm. Rubbing the red marks on her skin, she glared at Nora with pure, unadulterated hatred.
""You think you're safe here, little girl?"" Elena hissed at Nora. ""Vincent Calder destroys everything he touches. You’re just a distraction before the blood starts spilling.""
Elena snatched her bag and stormed out, her heels clicking an angry staccato against the marble floor until the front heavy doors slammed shut.
Silence descended upon the kitchen like a thick blanket. Nora was trembling, her hands shaking as she knelt down and swept Lucy into her arms. ""I'm so sorry, Vincent. I didn't mean to cause drama. We shouldn't be here. This isn't our world.""
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Vincent walked over to them, kneeling down so that his towering frame was at eye level with the trembling little girl. He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Lucy's ear.
""Nobody threatens my people,"" Vincent said, looking up to meet Nora’s terrified eyes. ""And starting today, Nora... you and Lucy are my people.""
