Chapter 139. Last Hope Crushed

Elena’s POV

I froze, staring at him as his words hammered into me: I will never marry. ESPECIALLY not your daughter. Especially not me.

Maurene noticed instantly. Her sharp voice sliced through my stunned silence. “You heard him, Elena. He’d rather marry anyone else in the world than you. Doesn’t that hurt? And you’re fine with that?”

My fists clenched at my sides. My body shook, trembling from the inside out. Humiliation coiled around me like a living thing; thicker, heavier and sharper than anything the elders or reporters had thrown at me. I knew if I let it show, I’d only feed the fire. I bit down my lips hard, tasting blood, forcing myself to remain still while every part of me burned.

“Take her down. Interrogate her. I want answers before nightfall,” Eric said, his voice cold and cutting.

“Elena!” I heard Maurene scream as the guards hauled her up by the arms. “Elena! Are you seriously going to let him do this? He’s going to kill me…ELENA!”