#Chapter 196: The Family Council

[Arthur’s POV] I was stunned. It wasn’t often that I ever found myself at a loss for words. But the statement Ella had just said was nearly enough to knock the very air from my lungs. Surely she wasn’t being serious... In those few seconds in which she’d spoken and all the air had collectively left my lungs, I glanced over at Liam who happened to be wearing the exact same expression as me. “Ella...” “That’s a huge move to make,” I remarked. Liam laced a supportive arm around her. “Bonding with one person can be a lot, but with you...You’ll be doing it with two.” “Ella, be honest. Is this because of what happened to Liam?” I asked. Her brows drew together. “No...Yes. I cannot—I will not give this woman any more chances to go after the people I care about.” My stomach twisted in pain. I gently shook my head. “This isn’t something you should be doing out of fear.” “Why not think of it as a strategy?” she tried. My heart sank in my chest. “Because that’s