ELENA'S POV.
If this keeps going on, it's only a matter of time before he finds out. I needed to do something.
"Your family is well-off. Why didn't you go back home?" he said again, his gaze unrelenting.
I hesitated, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "I grew up with a stepmother, sir. An evil one," I said, letting a hint of bitterness edge my voice. "Going back isn’t an option."
His brows furrowed, and for a moment, I thought I’d found a crack in his armour. He had his own history with stepmothers, after all. Surely, he’d understand. But instead of dropping it, he leaned back, arms crossed, his expression calculating.
"And the father?"
The question caught me off guard. What father? My father? What did he have to do with any of this?
Before I could respond, Justin’s lips curled into
