Chapter 13

Elena’s POV I walked into the breakfast room, still exhausted from crying the night before. Eric sat at the table, his posture calm and controlled, sipping coffee as if nothing had happened. My stomach twisted. He looked up, his piercing grey eyes locking on mine. “Elena,” he said, voice quiet. “About last night…” I flinched, unsure if I wanted to hear this. “I lost control,” he admitted, setting his cup down carefully. “It wasn’t fair to you. That… side of me…my darker side…sometimes takes over. And I need you to know… it could happen again.” My heart pounded. “You mean… you could…?” My voice faltered. Eric’s gaze didn’t waver. “Yes. And I don’t want you to stay because you feel trapped. I’ll let you end the contract if you want. No pressure.” I swallowed hard, my fingers gripping the edge of the table. “You… you’re giving me a choice?” He nodded. “I respect you enough to do that. Stay if you want, leave if you have to.” The room felt smaller and charged with tension. My pulse raced a