Chapter 39

"That's enough! Stop fighting—I admit it, I'm Elena. So what? The old Elena's long gone. I don't care about the past anymore, Emmanuel. I've paid back everything I owed you. What more do you want? Are you really expecting me to hand over my kidney to Lilith now?" Elena cut off the two men's scuffle, shut her eyes tight, and spoke with a voice full of pain. That tear sliding from the corner of her eye made Emmanuel freeze in place. He closed his eyes, tight, lifting a shaky hand to clutch his chest. He thought he'd feel relief when she finally admitted she was still alive, but instead, it just hurt—so badly it felt like every breath slashed through him. It was like a knife had been stabbed into his chest, icily twisting with every inhale and exhale. Then, wordlessly, he dropped to his knees. "Elena, I messed up. All of it—my fault. It's not what you think. Just come back with me, and I'll explain everything, one piece at a time. No matter how you treat me, I'll take it, as long as you c