Chapter 140

Elena’s POV The house felt impossibly quiet without Eric. I knew he would leave for Midwest Pack before sunrise for Sara’s trial, and somehow, that knowledge made the silence suffocating. I sat in the dark, muscles tense, waiting. When the faint growl of a Rolls Royce engine finally echoed through the driveway, I held my breath. The car rolled out, disappearing into the foggy morning, leaving the estate still and empty. For a moment, I didn’t move. Then, slowly, deliberately, I pushed myself toward the window. The first hints of dawn painted the sky in muted oranges and pinks. The chill of the morning air hit my face as I leaned out, the breeze sharpening my senses. My heart thudded with adrenaline and freedom. I let it roll over me, just for a second, savoring the quiet calm that always felt so fleeting. Then I swung my legs over the sill and dropped. The landing was rougher than I expected; my heels scraped against the flowerbeds but the thick blooms softened the fall enough that I d