No Turning Back

The deafening sound of her own heartbeat made Callie wonder if Elias could hear it too. ‘Are you mad?’ he asked. Rolling her eyes, Callie snorted. ‘Mad at you? Please, don’t flatter yourself.’ ‘All right, let’s go then.’ Elias stepped down on the gas pedal. The Pagani roared to life, then sped out of the parking lot. Under the night sky, Callie glanced at Elias by her side and couldn’t help but feel a whirlwind of emotions. Marrying a man she had only known for a few days—a soldier, no less—was beyond surreal. And on top of that, he was wealthy. It felt like she had stepped into a dream, a beautiful but unreal fantasy. Elias, observing Callie’s gaze, had the urge to flick her forehead. ‘Why are you looking at me like that? Having second thoughts? Bunny, let me make it clear: you’ve already made a promise, so there’s no turning back.’ Callie shook her head, a playful smile curling her lips. ‘I wasn’t thinking about that. And who said I didn’t want to marry you? No matter how you look at it, it seems like I’m the one who stands to benefit the most from the marriage.’ Elias arched an eyebrow. ‘Oh really? Then what’s on your mind?’ Callie pondered for a moment, her eyes glimmering with curiosity. ‘I was just thinking... Why did you become a soldier? Engalia doesn’t have mandatory military service. You seem well-off, and it doesn’t look like you’re chasing fame. Do you really have to risk your life in such a dangerous job? Plus, you’re already thirty-three. Ever considered retiring?’ A sudden darkness descended upon Elias’s eyes. ‘I became a soldier because... I want to uncover the truth about my parents’ death. They were killed when I was seventeen.’ Callie hadn’t expected this reason, and it caught her off guard. ‘I became a soldier to become stronger, to protect what matters to me and discover the truth,’ Elias confessed, his voice devoid of warmth, sending a chill down Callie’s spine. Feeling remorseful, Callie lowered her head and whispered, ‘I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have brought it up.’ Elias’s reply was casual. ‘You’re going to be my wife, Callie. Sooner or later, I would have shared this with you.’ As their conversation came to an end, Elias pulled up to Callie’s apartment building. They both stepped out of the Pagani, facing each other. ‘This is it. Thanks for today,’ Callie said, her eyes filled with gratitude. Elias shrugged nonchalantly. ‘No big deal.’ Seeing he was still standing there, Callie’s eyes widened. ‘You’re not leaving?’ Elias flashed a mischievous grin. ‘Since I’ve made it to your doorstep, don’t you think it’s only polite for you to invite me in?’ ‘It’s already so late...’ Callie hesitated, her voice laced with exhaustion after a long day at the hospital. Elias leaned against his sleek black car, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. ‘You are already mine, I don’t think one night is too much to ask for,’ he said with a mischievous grin, his tone dripping with desire. ‘Besides, we won’t be doing anything. I just want to go inside and sit for a while—’ ‘All right,’ she relented, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. Despite her fatigue, the thought of spending more time with Elias thrilled her. Callie fumbled in her bag for her keys, her hand brushing against her trembling fingers. It took a while, but she eventually found the right key and inserted it into the keyhole. As she was about to turn the handle and open the door, her heart skipped a beat. The door swung open on its own, revealing a dishevelled figure stumbling out from inside. It was Simon, clearly inebriated. His gaze fixed on Callie, he stumbled towards her, attempting to wrap his arms around her. ‘Callie, my Callie...’ Simon slurred, his words barely intelligible. His alcohol-laden breath wafted towards her, making her recoil in disgust. Callie stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Before she could react, Elias’s strong grip tightened around her wrist, pulling her back with a swift motion. In a matter of seconds, Elias, who had been standing behind Callie, found himself captured in Simon’s drunken embrace. Simon clung to Elias tightly, rubbing his face against Elias’s chest, his words muddled and nonsensical. ‘Callie, how could you be with another man?’ Simon mumbled, his voice filled with confusion. ‘Didn’t you... like me the most? Haven’t I always been in your heart?’ Callie’s eyes widened in disbelief as she observed the absurd scene playing out before her. Simon’s drunken state had caused him to mistake Elias for her. She couldn’t help but find the situation simultaneously ridiculous and hilarious. Elias’s face hardened with irritation, his icy gaze fixed on Simon, who was nuzzling against him. It was a comical sight, a fearless soldier from the Special Forces being treated like a love-struck woman by a drunken man. Callie’s laughter bubbled out uncontrollably, her joy overshadowing any concerns for the peculiar circumstances. The sound of her laughter filled the air, bringing a rare sense of happiness to the tense situation. Elias’s eyes narrowed at Callie, his expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. ‘Why are you still laughing?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow. The mirth in Callie’s eyes dimmed, and she bit her lower lip to suppress her laughter. ‘I can’t help it. It’s just...you, being mistaken for me, by a drunk guy,’ she managed to say between giggles. Elias’s face softened slightly, a trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He released a long sigh, his eyes filled with a mixture of annoyance and affection. ‘You always manage to find yourself in the oddest situations, don’t you?’ he remarked. Callie nodded, her laughter subsiding as she regained her composure. ‘I guess I have a knack for it. Life is never boring around me.’ Elias’s gaze shifted from Simon to Callie, concern clouding his features. ‘Why was he in your house? Can this man enter your house at will?’ His voice held a hint of worry and protectiveness. ‘No, no, Elias, it’s not like that!’ Callie waved her hand furiously, eager to explain. ‘I didn’t give him my keys. I don’t even know how he got into my house in the first place!’