"Lina, you're not going to break me." Even though I was shaking inside, my voice was steady and sharper than I had anticipated.
A smug smirk tugged at the corners of Lina's lips as she sat back in her chair. "Are you broken? That would suggest that I ever thought you were strong enough to start with, Eli, my love.
The pain of the insult had lessened. I paid close attention to her movements and speech patterns. Lina was a calculating person. And for the first time, I recognized her for what she truly was: a deceptive manipulator with a polished façade.
My voice hardened as I continued, "Logan won't fall for it." "No longer."
She laughed softly, like if I had shared a personal joke with her. "Oh, Eli. For me, Logan has already fallen. For all I've put in his way with care. You are merely
