Elena’s POV
The room went quiet. Sara stared at Eric like she’d just been slapped with reality. Her confidence cracked instantly. The color drained from her face, leaving her looking stiff and hollow. For one reckless second, I almost forgot where we were, I just wanted to grab Eric and kiss him for standing up for me so fiercely.
She recovered fast. Too fast. With a shaky laugh, she straightened her back and tried to smile. “Eric, don’t you think this is a bit much?” she said lightly. “Your girlfriend just isn’t ready yet. She needs discipline. Growth. Everything I did was for you. I only wanted her to become someone worthy of standing beside you.”
His answer came without hesitation. “Then stop pretending your cruelty is care,” he said flatly. “You don’t get to hurt her and cal
