Semua Bab HE LEFT ME FOR MY STEPSISTER, I MOVED ON TO THE NEXT: Bab 461 - Bab 470

Chapter 462I knew I had reached the right place the moment I saw the building.My car slowed as I approached the address, and for several seconds I simply stared through the windshield, trying to convince myself that I had somehow made a mistake.An abandoned factory stood ahead of me, surrounded by tall weeds and tangled vegetation that had almost swallowed the property. The once-large windows were broken, some completely missing their glass. Parts of the walls were stained from years of rain, while thick vines crawled across the concrete as though nature had slowly been reclaiming the entire building. The roof looked damaged in several places, and even from where I sat inside the car, I could see sections of the structure that appeared dangerously unstable.I switched off the engine and silence immediately surrounded me.I looked at the building again. This was where Mia had told me to come. This was where she claimed my daughter was.My hand remained on the steering wheel as fear

Chapter 464"You?" Her laughter became louder, "The great Elena Rivers is begging me?"I closed my eyes briefly, "I don't care what you think of me.""You should." She said. "I only care about my daughter."The silence returned.Then Mia spoke again, "That's exactly why you're here."I looked around desperately, "Where are you?""Closer than you think." I turned toward another doorway.Nothing."Mia, please." I said already frustrated."Why are you crying already?" She said mockingly."Because you took my baby." My voice rose, "Because I haven't held her in days. Because I don't know whether she's cold or hungry or frightened. Because I don't know if she's sleeping. I don't know if she has heard her mother's voice."I wiped my tears again, "And you're standing somewhere watching me fall apart."Mia remained silent. I took a shaky breath, "I don't understand why you hate me this much.""You never did." She asked like she needed validation."I never wanted to hurt you." I answered.Mia

Chapter 466Mia's jaw tightened, "You think I don't know that?""Then let her go.""I can't.""Why?""Because I've come too far."I shook my head, "You haven't come too far to stop."Mia laughed quietly, "You really don't understand me.""Then help me understand." I looked at her desperately, "Tell me what you want from me.""I want you to feel what I felt."I swallowed, "I have suffered too.""But you always had someone." Her voice became bitter, "You always had people willing to protect you. People willing to love you. People willing to stand beside you."She looked around the abandoned factory, "And now you have Nathan."My heart clenched at his name, "You have a husband who would tear the world apart for you."She looked down at Athena, "And now you have a daughter." Her eyes returned to mine, "Everything I ever wanted to have, you seemed to have without even trying."I shook my head, "Mia, you don't know my life.""Maybe I know enough.""No." I took a breath, "You don't know how

Chapter 468Elena’s pov I looked at Athena one more time. She was still sleeping peacefully in Mia's arms, completely unaware of the terror surrounding her. Her tiny fingers rested against the edge of the shawl, and every soft movement of her chest reminded me that she was alive. My daughter was alive and yet Mia had placed her life against mine as though one of us had to disappear. I swallowed the lump in my throat and slowly looked at Mia, "You really want me to choose?" I asked, my voice barely steady. Mia's expression remained cold. "I already gave you the choice and this is your last chance to make up your mind." I looked back at Athena. My heart felt as though it were being torn apart. "I choose her." Mia watched me carefully. "I knew you would." I wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Please give her a chance to live." "You know what you have to do." I nodded slowly. There was no anger left inside me. There was only fear. Fear for my daughter. Fear for Nathan. Fear

Chapter 470Nathan's face drained of color, "Mia, please."His voice was completely different now. There was no anger. No threat. Only fear."Put the gun down."Mia shook her head, "Stay back."Nathan stopped. Every officer stopped. The entire room became silent. Even the wind seemed to disappear.Mia's eyes moved between all of us, "You think you can come here and take everything from me?""No one is trying to take anything from you," Nathan said carefully. "Just let my daughter go.""Your daughter?" Mia laughed bitterly, "She is the reason Elena came here."Nathan's eyes remained fixed on Athena, "She's innocent.""I know.""Then don't punish her for something between you and Elena."Mia's expression hardened, "Everything is between me and Elena."I slowly pushed myself up onto one elbow, "Mia..."Nathan immediately looked at me, "Elena, stay down."I ignored him, "Mia, please look at me."She did."You wanted me," I said through my tears. "You wanted me to come here. I came."Mia's