Lucas and Elara

CHAPTER ONE

Shadows of Rejection

I was always aware of my position in his life. I knew that I was only a pawn in his scheme, a means to expand his commercial empire, even before the signatures on our marriage license dried. Even still, the realization of the reality did not lessen the pain as I continued to get rejections, each one leaving deeper scars on my already delicate heart.

It seems like yesterday when we first met. The Albrecht Estate's opulence was astounding; it was quite different from the simple existence I had experienced. A chilly light was projected over the shining marble flooring by the entryway chandelier, which shimmered like a thousand stars. And there he was, my future spouse and the heir apparent to the Albrecht dynasty, Lucas Albrecht. His clinically detached assessment of me with his ice-blue gaze made my skin crawl. This was business; it wasn't love at first sight.

"You understand why you're here, don't you?" Like a dagger cutting through quiet, his speech was as frigid as his gaze.

I nodded, my throat tightening with fear and unable to speak. I had a clear understanding. In this marriage, two strong families came together to form a merger. In our agreement, love had no place. However, at that time, I was unaware of how deeply hurtful that lack of love would be.

The truth of my condition became brutally apparent as the weeks stretched into months. More hurtful than plain hostility, Lucas regarded me with a disdainful indifference. I was only a nice face to smile and nod at his side; he was usually gone, traveling for work or entertaining customers at opulent parties. At home, he was aloof, preoccupied with his business dealings and discussions. Even though they knew my status in the Albrecht home was precarious at best, the house staff showed me careful deference.

The first significant setback came at a dinner gathering we threw for a few of Lucas's business partners. I'd been getting ready for hours, picking out the ideal outfit, and making sure everything was just so. Foolishly, I thought that maybe, just maybe, he might notice me. But as the night went on, it was evident that I was lost on him. He was completely preoccupied with his visitors, and, unsettlingly, with Sophie, his ex-girlfriend.

I saw them laughing together, heads bowed very close, sharing a private moment. I felt a knotting agony in my stomach as I saw his hand linger on her arm and his grin, which was unlike any smile I had ever seen aimed at me. I knew, even if the visitors may not have. Their connection was obvious, and it made me feel a combination of envy and hopelessness in my heart.

I went up to him after the visitors had departed. I was trying to maintain a firm voice, but my hands were shaking. What on earth are you doing, Lucas? You flirted with Sophie the whole evening, even though you are married to me!"

His eyes narrowed as he spoke, brusque in his tone. Claire, stop talking nice to yourself. This marriage is an agreement between business partners. You can't expect me to act differently."

His remarks seemed like a blow to the face. I watched in stunned silence as he turned and left me by myself in the large, empty dining room. The rejection was not only psychological; it was also bodily like a heavy weight pushing upon my chest and restricting my breathing. Never before had I felt so unimportant and little.

The rejections kept coming, and everyone hurt more than before. Lucas had a way of devaluing me without even trying. He would be silent for days or even weeks at a time, leaving me to worry whether he would ever return. When he did come back, it was as if nothing had occurred, as though I were simply an item of furniture that he could move or disregard as he pleased.