Marrying My Father’s Enemy

Chapter 21: Eira Is Important To Me! 

The dining hall was silent as everyone ate, but the awkward feeling stayed the same.

Leina's eyes moved between Callian and Eira; she continued on being angry.

But then, Leina couldn't hold it in any longer.

Leina slammed her glass down on the table, making everyone jump. "Eira," she said sharply, "how dare you ruin my son's engagement?"

Eira looked up.

She hadn't expected this exactly after Callian told her to be quiet, at least not here.

But she looked Leina directly in her face. "Why didn't you say this to him at the party?" she asked quietly.

Callian, who had been sitting silently, suddenly looked up. "Mother, I never wanted to marry the woman you chose for me. I love Eira."

Eira turned to him, slowly widening her eyes. She hadn't expected him to speak up, especially not in front of his parents.

Leina opened her mouth to respond, but Callian's father held up a hand. "Leina, you're making a bigger deal out of this than it needs to be."

The room grew quiet again; an uncomfortable silence seemed to cover everyone.

Dinner continued, but no one seemed eager to speak. The tension made it hard for anyone to eat or enjoy the food.

When the meal was finally over, Eira slipped out of the dining room and headed toward the garden.

She needed fresh air, a small moment to clear her mind.

She found a quiet spot, sat down on a stone bench, and took a deep breath, letting her mind go back to the party, where someone had carelessly stepped on her toe.

"Hah…"

The pain had been sharp, but she'd forced herself to laugh it off, trying not to let the discomfort show.

Now, alone in the garden, Eira chuckled to herself. "They'll never accept me," she murmured. The truth of it hurt, but she couldn't deny it.

To them, she would always be an outsider.

As she sat there, she heard aggressive footsteps behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know it was Leina.

"How dare you stay here," Leina hissed at her like a snake.

Eira turned slowly to face her mother-in-law. "I'm not trying to cause trouble, Leina."

"Trouble?" Leina's voice rose slightly. "You're nothing but a gold digger, looking to trap my son for his money and position."

Eira's lips curled into a small, sad smile.

"Everyone says that," she replied softly. "They forget that the money you think I'm after was originally my mother's. It all belonged to her family." She looked at Leina. "But somehow, I'm the gold digger."

"This marriage shouldn't have existed!"

"I know, but our marriage will end soon, just like my horrible past," she muttered silently.

"I don't care about your past. My son deserves better. What if you get pregnant and think that'll keep him tied to you?"

Eira looked away. "You don't need to worry, Leina. This marriage with Callian won't last long. I know that."

But Leina pressed on with an attitude. "What if something happens between you two, and there's a child?"

Eira took a slow breath. "I don't want that, Leina. I've never wanted that." She paused, gathering her words carefully, trying not to offend her.

"When I was young, my teacher… he hurt me. I was just a child, and he made me feel… wrong."

Her voice shook slightly, but she kept going. "When my cousins found out, they blamed me. They said it was because I was 'too cute,' that I must have asked for it somehow."

Eira's hands clenched in her lap. "Since then, I can't stand it when men touch me like that. I hate it. I… I don't want children."

Leina looked at her with a pale face. But before she could respond, there was a rustle behind them.

Callian stepped forward, his face seeming to fade away any minute now. His eyes widened from shock at what Eira was saying.

Neither woman had known he was there, listening.

Callian's face was tight, forehead wrinkled as he stepped forward. "Mother," he said louder than Eira had ever heard. "How can you speak to her like this?"

Leina turned to him, surprised by his reaction. "Callian, you don't understand—"

"No," he interrupted her. "You're the one who doesn't understand. Eira is the love of my life. I chose her. And I'm tired of you treating her like she's less than that."

Leina's face hardened. "I only want what's best for you, Callian. And this—this girl doesn't belong here."

"She's not 'this girl,'" he said, raising his tone. "Her name is Eira, and she's my wife. She's been through things you can't even imagine. And instead of showing her sympathy, you attack her?"

Leina crossed her arms, trying to hold her ground. "I'm trying to protect you from making a mistake."

Callian shook his head, now more furious. "You're not protecting me; you're hurting me. You're hurting her. How can you hear what she went through and not feel a shred of compassion?"

Leina looked away, but Callian wasn't done. "Do you know how hard it was for her to tell you that story? And all you can do is accuse her? Judge her?"

Leina's lips thinned, but she said nothing.

Callian turned to Eira and took her hand gently. "Come on, Eira. We're leaving."

He looked back at his mother. "We're not coming back here until you apologise to her."

Leina's face changed. "You would really walk away from your family for her?"

"Yes," Callian said simply. "If my family can't respect the woman I love, then maybe I don't belong here, either." He held Eira's hand tighter and led her toward the exit of the garden.

"Callian, you don't have to—"

"Yes, I do. I should have done this sooner. I won't let anyone treat you like this, not even my mother." He gave her hand a squeeze. "You're more important to me than any of this."

"But it's a contract marria—"

"Not to me."