Chapter 18.
Damien sat in the black leather chair in his study, the dim light reflecting the stern lines on his hard face. For the first time, Elara realized that he looked tired, as if the burden he carried was too much to bear alone.
"I won't go around in circles anymore," he said, his voice deep and strained. "From the beginning, Elara, I intended to take everything from Adrian: the name, the power, even... you."
Elara fell silent. The words hit her like a cold wave. Her heart pounded, a mixture of anger, fear, and pain. "So... this was all just your game?" she whispered, holding back the trembling in her voice.
Damien looked at her sharply, as if challenging. "At first, yes. I wanted to destroy Adrian, make him feel half the pain I did. But then-" He stopped, his jaw hardening. "Yo
