Chapter 15: Make the two of them be together

Carmen's Lamborghini glided smoothly through the quiet streets, taking me back home. The city lights flickered outside, creating a calming rhythm that almost lulled me into a sense of peace. We pulled up in front of my house, the familiar sight bringing a wave of mixed emotions.

"Will you be alright?" Carmen asked, her hand resting lightly on my arm.

I smiled, a genuine smile that reached my eyes. "Yes, I will. Thanks to you."

Carmen nodded, her fingers lingering a moment longer before I stepped back.

"Goodnight, Elena."

"Goodnight, Carmen," I replied, my voice soft.

I stepped out of the car, the cool night air sobering me up slightly. As I walked towards the front door, I heard the car door close behind me and the engine purr back to life. I glanced back, watching Carmen drive away, her taillights disappearing into the darkness.

For a moment, I found myself wishing she would stay, that I could confide in her, maybe even see her as more than just a hero of the night. But I shook my head, pushing those thoughts aside. There were more pressing matters at hand.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the front door and stepped inside. The warmth of the house enveloped me, but it did nothing to soften the icy stares waiting for me in the living room. My mother stood with her arms crossed, fury etched into every line of her face. Clara sat on the couch, a smirk playing on her lips, enjoying the show she knew was about to unfold.

"Elena," my mother began, her voice cold and controlled, "where have you been?"

I stumbled slightly, the alcohol still affecting my coordination. "I just needed some air," I mumbled, trying to avoid her gaze.

"Some air?" she repeated, her voice rising. "You disappear in the middle of dinner, embarrass us in front of Daniel's parents, and then you come home smelling like a distillery? What were you thinking?"

I shrugged, feeling a defiant spark reignite within me. "I needed a break. That dinner was suffocating."

My mother's eyes narrowed. "Suffocating? You were downright disrespectful, Elena. Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Clara snickered, clearly enjoying my misery. "You really outdid yourself this time, sis. Mom's right. You were embarrassing."

I glared at her. "Stay out of this, Clara. This has nothing to do with you."

My mother stepped closer, her anger palpable. "Clara is right. You were rude, immature, and completely out of line. Daniel's parents came here to get to know you better, and you made a spectacle of yourself. And then you run off to a nightclub? Do you have any idea how that looks?"

I sighed, my defenses weakening under her relentless assault. "I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't want to have dinner with them. I didn't want to be paraded around like some prize."

"This isn't about what you want, Elena," she snapped. "This is about family. About respect. And you showed none of that tonight."

"Respect?" I scoffed. "You expect me to respect people who want to control my life, who want to push me into a marriage I don't want? How is that fair?"

My mother's face flushed with anger. "Life isn't always fair, Elena. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good."

I threw my hands up in frustration. "Sacrifices? For what? For some business deal? For appearances? I'm not a pawn in your games, Mom."

Her eyes blazed with fury. "This isn't a game, Elena. This is your future. And you're throwing it away with your childish behavior."

Clara leaned forward, her smirk widening. "Daniel's parents are still here, you know. They saw you come in like this. It's quite the spectacle."

I felt my stomach twist with a mix of anger and shame. "I don't care what they think," I shot back, though the words felt hollow.

My mother took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Well, you should. Because despite everything, Daniel still wants to marry you."

The room fell silent. I stared at her, disbelief washing over me. "What?"

She nodded, her expression softening slightly. "He spoke to me after you left. He understands you're under a lot of pressure. He's willing to give you another chance."

I sighed deeply, feeling a strange mix of sadness and relief. "Why? Why would he still want to marry me after all that?"

"Because he sees something in you, Elena," she said quietly. "Something worth fighting for."

I shook my head, feeling more confused than ever. "I need to think."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and headed up to my room, my mind racing. Once inside, I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. What was I supposed to do now?

As I lay there, my thoughts kept drifting back to Daniel and Clara. Despite everything, I could see the way Daniel looked at her, the unspoken connection between them. They would be perfect together, if only…

I sat up, the seed of an idea taking root in my mind. "Since Daniel looks so in love with Clara," I muttered to myself, "I should just make the two of them be together."

The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. If I could step aside gracefully, if I could somehow show them that they belonged together, maybe I could finally be free. It wouldn't be easy, but it might be the only way to break free from this unwanted engagement without causing a scandal.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I lay back down, already plotting my next move. It was time to take control of my own destiny, no matter what it took.

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