Chapter 68

That summer night was cool and quiet. Elaria stood silently on the rooftop, a thin jacket draped over her. Between her pale fingers was a slim, unlit cigarette-she didn't smoke it, just let it burn out on its own. The drizzle fell like fine threads, eventually putting the cigarette out. She didn't care. She set the damp cigarette butt on the railing. Rain quickly dotted the metal, washing over it like a quiet kind of despair-just like the love she had lost, like the friendship she had no choice but to let go. On a screen across the building, news from Collins Group kept flashing. Liam's father was still under investigation- Collins Group, Selene... was Liam next? At this point, she had to admit, Sebastian had her beat. When it came to being ruthless, no one came close. And honestly, Elaria never pretended he loved her much. She was just a twist of fate in his perfect life: a woman who once loved him wholeheartedly, then suddenly stopped. And the infamous Sebastian didn't like that. Tha