Chapter 79. Don’t Fight It

Ella heaved a sigh of relief as she stepped into the Manor, her body trembling slightly from the tension that clung to her. She was grateful, immensely so, that no one had seen her in her current state. Dirt clung to her skin, and her disheveled hair framed her face in messy strands. She was eager to retreat to her room unnoticed, clean herself up, and pretend none of it ever happened.

But fate wasn’t so kind.

The moment she set foot inside, her heart nearly stopped as she came face-to-face with Valen. He stood there, tall and imposing, his sharp eyes piercing through her. His presence was enough to make her freeze, but it was the anger simmering in his gaze that made her throat run dry.

“Where are you coming from?” His voice was low, steady, and dangerous.

Ella’s lips parted, but no words came. Of all the people to find her like this, it had to be him. He had been absent for so long, unreachable and elusive, and now, here he was, staring her down with an int