Attachment 426

In Chapter 426 of “Attachment 426,” Mina finds herself in an uncomfortable situation as Elias Rue claims her waist during a dance, igniting a mix of indignation and unexpected thrill within her. Despite her desire to push him away and escape the moment, she is trapped in a crowded space where any attempt to resist would only draw more attention. Elias, confident and teasing, leads her through the dance, challenging her to relax and enjoy the celebration, even as her frustration mounts.

As they navigate the dance floor, Mina’s irritation grows, particularly when she accidentally steps on Elias’s toe. This moment of clumsiness leads to a brief loss of her resolve, prompting her to insist that he let go of her. However, Elias remains steadfast, insisting that she should enjoy the moment and subtly guiding her to a quieter corner of the venue. There, amidst dim lighting, Mina feels a wave of relief wash over her, though the tension between them remains palpable.

Their conversation takes a more personal turn when Elias questions her past experiences with festivals, revealing Mina’s sheltered upbringing. As they discuss her interactions with Aiden Knight, Elias’s demeanor shifts, hinting at jealousy. This tension adds complexity to their dynamic, and Mina finds herself increasingly aware of Elias’s presence and the chemistry building between them. Despite her annoyance, she can’t help but engage with him, leading to moments of playful banter that highlight their contrasting personalities.

The chapter culminates in a moment of vulnerability when Elias unexpectedly compliments Mina, catching her off guard and causing her heart to race. Just as she processes the sincerity of his words, an unexpected shove from Calista disrupts the moment, sending Mina tumbling to the ground. This sudden turn of events leaves her in a state of shock, with the playful connection she shared with Elias abruptly interrupted, setting the stage for further developments in their relationship.

**TITLE: Attachment 426**

**Chapter 426 Like Nobody’s Watching**

**MINA**

“Just relax,” he murmured, his fingers tightening around my waist as if he had every right to claim that space.

A jolt of surprise shot through me, igniting a firestorm of conflicting emotions.

How could he expect me to relax when Elias Rue had his hand on my waist, asserting a claim that felt both foreign and infuriating?

My breath caught in my throat, a mixture of indignation and an inexplicable thrill coursing through me. I longed to push him away, to create enough distance that even the wildest of rumors would struggle to bridge the gap. Yet, in this crowded space, shoving him aside would only draw more unwanted attention, a spotlight I desperately wanted to avoid.

Elias was acutely aware of the situation and wielded it as if it were his weapon of choice.

He led me through the dance with a confidence that was both maddening and mesmerizing, a stark contrast to my own rigid movements.

“You haven’t done this before, have you?” he teased, his voice laced with amusement.

“Why are you doing this?” I snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface.

“Haven’t I already answered that?” he chuckled, the sound rumbling like distant thunder. “I’m dancing. Look around; everyone is enjoying themselves. You should try to relax a little more.” His hand pressed gently against my waist, guiding me to step to the right. “Trust me, I’ll lead you.”

Lead me?

The notion sent a shiver down my spine.

I didn’t want guidance; I wanted to vanish from this moment entirely.

But he continued to move, and I found myself unwillingly following, not wanting to trip or fall and create a scene that would only amplify my embarrassment.

Unfortunately, following did not guarantee success.

In an instant—

Step.

A sharp gasp escaped him as my heel landed squarely on his toe.

“Ah—careful,” he cautioned, though a grin danced at the corners of his mouth, betraying his amusement.

At that moment, I lost all sense of caring.

“Let go of me,” I insisted, desperately trying to pull my hand free from his grasp.

“I told you to relax,” he replied, his tone unyielding. “Enjoy yourself.”

“Enjoy the music,” he added, nudging me into another step. “Savor the atmosphere, the celebration.”

A flicker of a smile crossed his lips, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance.

“You.”

I pretended I hadn’t heard that last word, my lips pressed into a tight line. “They’ll see,” I muttered under my breath, my anxiety bubbling over.

“Who?” he asked, his interest piqued. “Tell me, and I’ll confront them for you.”

I puffed out my cheeks in exasperation. “Stop treating me like a child.”

“I’m not. I’m serious,” he insisted, his grip on my waist unwavering. “Tell me who’s bothering you.”

I averted my gaze, unwilling to meet his eyes. “Just let go of me.”

“I’m not going to,” he replied, a hint of determination in his voice. “Not until you start enjoying this.”

Before I could muster a protest, he subtly maneuvered us out of the bustling center of the dance floor. We glided between couples, weaving our way to a dimly lit corner where the lanterns cast a softer glow, providing us with a veil of privacy amidst the crowd.

There were still people around, but the glaring brightness that had once spotlighted us faded, and the majority of the attention slipped away like water through my fingers.

“There,” he said softly, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. “Is this better?”

I inhaled shakily, the relief washing over me like a gentle tide.

Yet, it didn’t erase the tension still coiling within me, especially with him holding me so closely.

He scrutinized me for a moment, his gaze penetrating. “You’re close with Aiden Knight?”

I shook my head vehemently. “No,” I replied, the word spilling out instantly. “Not at all. I just happened to bump into him. I didn’t know this community dance was happening.”

“You looked quite close,” he pressed, his brow furrowing slightly.

“I don’t know,” I muttered, my eyes drifting away. “He just wouldn’t let go of me.”

Elias stiffened, a flicker of something dark passing over his features.

“Damn,” he muttered under his breath, the words laced with frustration. “I already have competition, and he hasn’t even seen your face yet.”

My eyebrows knitted together, confusion mingling with irritation. “What are you mumbling about?”

“Nothing,” he replied hastily, waving it off. “Forget it.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, unconvinced by his dismissal.

But before I could press him further—

“Is this your first festival?” he inquired, his tone shifting to something softer.

“What do you think?” I shot back, a hint of sarcasm creeping into my voice. “I was born into the Roses’ regime. This entire country is named after them. We had festivals, but only those with enough wealth and influence could attend.”

“And you’ve never been to one?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“No.”

As if sensing my discomfort, he reached toward the edge of my hood, his fingers brushing against the fabric.

My heart raced, a surge of panic coursing through me. “What are you doing now?” I snapped, taking a half-step back but unable to fully escape his hold. “You’re like a child who can’t stop.”

“Can’t I just take a peek?” he asked innocently.

“No,” I muttered, my voice firm. “Stop—”

“I already saw your face anyway,” he interrupted, a teasing lilt in his tone.

My breath caught in my throat, a rush of disbelief washing over me.

So I was right.

He really had seen my face.

“Don’t say anything about it,” I blurted out, panic rising in my chest.

“Why not?” Elias leaned in slightly, his curiosity piqued. “I want to see how you look when you speak. You probably get a line on your forehead or something.”

I shot him a fierce glare, my annoyance flaring.

“You’re probably doing it right now,” he added, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.

I rolled my eyes, exasperated. “You’re insufferable.”

“Or,” he continued, tilting his head as if contemplating, “maybe your lips become downturned. But when I kissed you,”—his voice dipped lower, almost conspiratorial—”your lips felt pretty upturned to me.”

A rush of heat flooded my cheeks, and without thinking, I lifted my hand and playfully slapped his chest—not hard enough to hurt, but definitely with enough force to convey my embarrassment.

“Seriously,” I muttered, my voice low. “Stop talking. Stop breathing. Stop existing near me. And let me go.”

He didn’t even flinch. If anything, his grin broadened, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“You didn’t even realize,” he murmured, guiding me through another smooth step, “that you haven’t stepped on my toe since.”

His hand steadied me, a reassuring presence. “See?”

“You’re enjoying this, right?” he asked, his tone teasing yet curious.

I opened my mouth to deny it, but the words caught in my throat, leaving me speechless.

I hadn’t stepped on him again. I had been engaged in conversation with him for the past two minutes without a hitch.

“That’s enough, then, right?” I finally muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

But instead of stepping back, instead of loosening his hold on me—

“You’re pretty,” he said suddenly, his tone sincere and unexpected.

My heart stopped, a jolt of surprise coursing through me.

I glanced up, searching for a hint of jest in his expression.

Because he was tall, I had to lift my chin higher than usual, and the light caught my face fully, illuminating every feature.

He looked down at me, and I could see the shift in his demeanor.

His breath hitched, his eyes widening slightly as if he were trying to memorize the moment. His grip on me shifted, as if he had to remind himself not to pull me closer.

In that instant, I realized I hadn’t truly looked at him closely enough to notice the details.

He was…

Unbelievably good-looking.

Annoyingly good-looking.

With a sharp jawline, hair tousled by the wind, and eyes that burned with intensity, focused solely on me. His face seemed sculpted to provoke a reaction.

He stared at me as if he were trying to imprint the moment in his memory.

I blinked up at him, at a loss for words.

His lips parted slightly, and I could see the surprise etched across his face.

“Damn,” he muttered under his breath, his voice barely a whisper.

“What?” I whispered back, even though a part of me feared the answer.

He swallowed hard, his gaze tracing my features with an intensity that made my heart race.

“You’re pretty,” he repeated, this time with a firmness that left no room for doubt.

My breath snagged in my throat, and I found myself at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.

Before I could react to his unexpected compliment, a sudden shove at my side sent me tumbling.

My balance vanished in an instant.

I crashed onto the ground, my palms slapping against the cold, unforgiving snow and slush, a splash of icy liquid soaking through my clothes.

“Oops, sorry,” Calista said, her tone dripping with insincerity, as if she found the entire incident amusing rather than regretful.

As I lay there, the world around me faded into a blur, overshadowed by the rush of emotions swirling within. The moment Elias had held me close, guiding me with an unexpected tenderness, had awakened something deep inside me—an unfamiliar longing that battled against my instinct to push him away. Now, with the cold biting through my clothes and humiliation flooding my cheeks, I felt a strange sense of clarity. The laughter and chatter of the festival faded into the background, leaving only the echo of Elias’s words—his sincere compliment that lingered like a warm breath against the chill. I was vulnerable, exposed, yet I realized that perhaps it was in this very vulnerability that I could find strength.

Elias’s presence had become a paradox I could no longer ignore. His teasing had chipped away at my defenses, revealing a side of me I hadn’t known existed—a side that craved connection, even amidst the chaos of my insecurities. As I pushed myself up from the ground, brushing off the snow and slush, I caught his eye. There was no mockery in his gaze, only concern and a hint of something deeper. It dawned on me that this dance, this unexpected encounter, had shifted something within me. The barriers I had built were beginning to crumble, and for the first time, I felt the weight of attachment—an attachment to him, to this moment, and to the possibility of what could be. I realized that perhaps, just perhaps, allowing myself to be seen was the first step toward embracing the joy I had always shied away from.

In the next chapter of **Attachment 426**, readers can expect the tension between Mina and Elias to escalate dramatically. With Mina’s unexpected fall into the snow, the stakes are raised, and the dynamics of their relationship are about to shift. Will Elias rush to her aid, or will Calista’s meddling create even more chaos? As Mina grapples with her feelings for Elias amidst the humiliation of her fall, the atmosphere is charged with uncertainty. Will she allow herself to embrace the connection that has been forming, or will the interference of others drive a wedge between them?

Moreover, the looming presence of Calista promises to inject a fresh layer of conflict into the narrative. Her insincerity and apparent enjoyment of Mina’s misfortune hint at deeper rivalries and potential betrayals. Will she reveal secrets that could shatter the fragile bond Mina and Elias are starting to build? As the festival continues, the backdrop of celebration contrasts sharply with the brewing tension, making it clear that not all is as it seems. Expect revelations, unexpected alliances, and perhaps a pivotal moment that could change everything for Mina and Elias. The next chapter promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover what lies ahead.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.