Chapter 142

Elena’s POV Valentina’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper. “Did you know Eric would be meeting her tonight?” I shook my head slowly, stiff as a board. A sudden, bitter spike of anger ripped through me, sharp and hot in my chest. My heart hammered, my ears throbbed with its rhythm, and for a moment, the world narrowed down to a single, urgent thought: I had to get to him. Now. I had to march across that room, stand in front of him, and demand; why her? Why tonight? After everything? “Did he still feel something for her? Had he forgotten what she’d done? Had he forgotten how close I’d come to dying because of her? My vision burned. I blinked hard. Valentina’s fingers closed around mine; steady and grounding. “Breathe,” she said quietly. “Watch first. Then decide.” Her calm wrapped around me like a weight, anchoring me long enough to keep my seat. Then I heard it; the unmistakable sound of heels against polished stone. She appeared as if summoned by attention alone. Sara. She moved throug