Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Elara and Leo settle into their new life, but the shadows of the past linger. Sterling reveals the council's report on the trial's failures, and Elara learns that Damien's secret dealings could have saved them all. She chooses to release the evidence to the public, hoping to prevent future injustices. The chapter ends with Elara receiving an anonymous letter threatening her son, forcing her to realize the fight for justice is not over.
The first morning in her own home felt foreign to Elara, like wearing a dress that no longer fit. She woke to the sound of birds outside her window, a sound she had not heard in months. For a moment, she lay still, her eyes closed, letting the warmth of the blanket soothe her. Then she remembered—Leo was asleep in the next room. She was free. The nightmare was over.
She padded softly down the hall, her bare feet silent on the hardwood. Leo’s door was slightly ajar, and she pushed it open to find him curled on his side, his cast propped on a pillow, his face peaceful. A wave of love so intense it hurt washed over her. She stood there, just watching him breathe, until the sun climbed higher and the house began to stir with the sounds of Lina moving in the kitchen.
Lina had stayed the night, refusing to leave Elara alone. Sterling had gone to his own home, promising to return later with news. The smell of coffee drifted up the stairs, and Elara’s stomach rumbled. She had not eaten properly in days.
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