Chapter 5 A Battle of Fire and Ice

I didn't sleep.

How could I?

Dominic Caldwell had played me, twisted my loyalty into a noose, and left me standing in the ruins of my own choices.

My father's scandal was now public.

Dominic had betrayed me.

And worse, I was still his-trapped in a marriage I had no way of escaping.

By the time the sun rose, I had made a decision.

If Dominic wanted a war, I'd give him one.

****

The next morning, I didn't wait for him to summon me.

I stormed into the dining room, where he sat at the long mahogany table, sipping his coffee like he hadn't just burned my world to the ground.

He barely glanced up. "You're up early."

I slammed a newspaper onto the table-the same one detailing my father's downfall. "You used me."

Dominic sighed, setting his cup down. "We've already established that."

I clenched my fists. "Then let's establish something else. This marriage? It's over."

A slow, mocking smile spread across his lips. "You really think that's up to you?"

"I won't be your pawn."

"You already are," he murmured, leaning back in his chair. "And you signed a contract, remember?"

Anger coiled in my stomach. "Contracts can be broken."

His gaze darkened. "Not mine."

I hated him. Hated his power, his control, the way he made me feel powerless-no, helpless.

But I wasn't weak.

And Dominic was about to learn that the hard way.

****

I spent the entire day plotting my next move.

By evening, I had an answer.

Liam.

It was risky-dangerous even-but I had no other choice.

I found him in his office, drowning in paperwork and frustration.

When he saw me, his eyes softened. "Elena."

I didn't have time for pleasantries. "I need your help."

Liam frowned. "With what?"

I exhaled sharply. "Taking Dominic down."

His entire body went still. "You're serious."

"Completely."

Liam leaned back, studying me. "What changed?"

I hesitated. "He betrayed me. My father. Everything."

His jaw tightened. "I told you to walk away from him."

I flinched. "And I didn't listen. But I'm listening now."

Liam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "If you go against Dominic, it won't just be business. It'll be war."

I met his gaze. "Then help me win it."

A long silence stretched between us.

Then, finally, Liam nodded.

"Alright," he said. "Let's destroy him."

****

I didn't return to Dominic's penthouse until late that night.

I expected him to be asleep.

I was wrong.

He was waiting for me.

The moment I stepped inside, he was there-leaning against the wall, his eyes dark and knowing.

"Where were you?"

I forced myself to remain calm. "Out."

Dominic's lips twitched. "Try again."

I crossed my arms. "I don't answer to you."

His gaze darkened. "That's where you're wrong, Sinclair."

I swallowed hard. "You don't own me, Dominic."

His smirk was slow, deliberate. "Then why are you lying to me?"

Panic surged through me, but I masked it with defiance. "I'm not lying."

Dominic stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You think I don't know where you went? Who you saw?"

I froze.

He knew.

Somehow, he knew.

"I warned you, Elena," he murmured, his fingers brushing my jaw. "Liam can't save you from me."

My breath hitched. "And what happens when I save myself?"

Dominic's smirk vanished.

For the first time, something unreadable flickered in his gaze.

And for the first time, I wondered if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.

The next morning, I received a message that turned my blood to ice.

Meet me at the docks. 11 PM. Come alone.

It was from Liam.

I should have questioned it.

I should have waited.

Instead, I went.

But when I arrived, Liam was nowhere to be found.

The docks were eerily silent, the water lapping against the wooden planks.

Something was wrong.

A shiver ran down my spine. "Liam?"

Silence.

Then-

A pair of hands grabbed me from behind.

I gasped, struggling, but a cloth was pressed to my mouth-something chemical, something strong.

My vision blurred.

The last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me whole-

Was Dominic's voice.

"Did you really think I wouldn't see this coming, Sinclair?"

Then everything went black.