Chapter 51. Lies Beneath the Surface

Damian’s Return to Ella… The heavy doors to the healing chamber creaked open as Damian stepped inside, his expression dark and weary. The scent of herbs clung to the air, unable to mask the faint trace of sickness that clung to the room.

Ella lay motionless on the bed, her once vibrant silver hair now dull, her skin pale and clammy. Her chest rose in slow, shallow breaths.

Damian knelt beside her, brushing damp strands from her forehead. “Ella…” he whispered, his voice cracking. “Stay with me.”

She didn’t respond. Only a faint twitch of her fingers gave him hope.

“Please,” he murmured, pressing his forehead to her hand. “Fight. Just a little longer… I’m going to fix this. I swear.”

***

Meanwhile—Inside the Gamma Household

The door to Sisi’s private room slammed shut with force.

Her father stood tall, his face unreadable. Her mother, on the other hand, was already weeping—though whether it was from shame or belief in her daughter, no on