Chapter 82

Selena instinctively looked down at the dress she had designed, doubt creeping in. Elijah's silence only made her chest grow tighter. "What is it? Elijah, say something!" Selena grew anxious. A bad feeling nagged at her, and she gripped his hand, unaware of how much strength she was using. "There's something I never told you…" he began. "Your mother passed away on your 20th birthday." Selena's smile froze. She stared at Elijah in disbelief, then shook her head repeatedly. "No. No way. That's impossible! Nothing happened to my mom! You're lying to me, Elijah! Tell me you're lying!" Her voice trembled. Tears flooded her vision the moment she met his gaze. She choked out the same question again and again, but none of Elijah's answers were what she wanted to hear. "She fell ill and passed away the year you turned 20. Selena, I'm telling you the truth." He said each word with care. The last bit of hope in Selena's heart shattered. She broke down and sobbed. Selena might have been t