Chapter 50

Sebastian froze. He stared at the shimmer in Elaria's eyes, the sorrow on her face hitting him like a wave-only now did it hit him just how much she cared. She wasn't as tough as she pretended to be. She was only twenty-seven, yet had stood by him through so much. He owed her more than he could ever repay. And now, all he could manage was, "I'm sorry." A tear slid down the corner of Elaria's eye. She gave a faint, distant smile. "Sebastian, I don't want your apologies. I just want some peace. If you really mean it, just sign the papers and let me be." He didn't want to. He had no plans of letting her go. But he left the apartment anyway. Downstairs, his car stayed parked. Sebastian sat inside, a cigarette resting between his lips, unlit-his gaze snagged by a group of kids not far away. It was New Year's Day. The kids were playing with little firecrackers, laughing and shrieking with joy. Sebastian stared, a little zoned out. Elaria had always adored kids. Every All Saints' Day, she'd p