Semua Bab The Billionaire’s Regret After His Daughter Died: Bab 41 - Bab 50

Elara's POVDarkness swallowed me whole.I pressed my back against the cold stone wall, my whole body shaking.This was my childhood nightmare come to life.I was a child again. Spending the summer at my aunt's house after my parents died.Her son Jack was fifteen and cruel in the way only teenage boys could be."Want to see something cool, Elara?" he'd said that sweltering July afternoon.His smile should have warned me. Should have sent me running. But I was lonely and desperate for any kind of attention."What is it?" I'd asked, following him toward the basement stairs."It's a surprise. Close your eyes."I'd trusted him. Stupid, naive little girl that I was.The moment I stepped into the basement, I heard the door slam behind me.The lock turning with a decisive click."Jack?" I'd called out, confusion replacing excitement. "Jack, what's happening?"His laughter echoed from the other side of the door."Welcome to your new home, crybaby. Maybe a few days alone will toughen you up."

Elara's POVLiam’s arms were around me, but all I felt was a cold wave of reality.I can't do this.The Carters would never accept me. A divorced mother marrying into their dynasty.I couldn't be selfish. I couldn't lose myself in his comfort.There was no future for us.And my revenge? That was my mess. I couldn't pull Liam into it.This was something I had to handle on my own.Liam headed for the door. I hardened my face into a mask of ice."What I said before," I stated coldly, "I take it back. I don't need your help. I can handle this myself."His brown eyes searched my face, filled with a deep, worried concern."What's wrong, Elara? Let me help you get revenge on Damien and Isabella," he said, his voice low and fierce. "I have resources. Connections. I can make them pay for what they've done."I shook my head firmly. "No.""Elara...""I know what I'm doing." My fingers trembled beneath the bandages, but my voice was steady. "This has to be my fight."Liam studied my face for a lon

Elara's POVDamien set me gently back onto the hospital bed. His movements were careful, protective.Isabella followed close behind, her hospital gown swishing with agitation."Damien," she said immediately, her voice urgent. "I didn't push her. You have to believe me."I nodded slowly, my expression earnest and forgiving."She's right. Isabella didn't push me."Isabella's face lit up with relief and vindication."See?" she said to Damien triumphantly. "She admitted it herself. I never touched her."I coughed delicately, my hand fluttering to my chest."I'm just so weak right now," I said softly. "The slightest touch sends me off balance."I watched Isabella's expression carefully as the words sank in.I knew this script. It was hers.This was exactly how she'd framed my daughter all those years ago. Making Lily look clumsy and accident-prone while positioning herself as the innocent bystander.Damien smiled at me with obvious approval. My understanding demeanor pleased him immensely.

Elara's POVI knew a single incident wouldn't be enough to shake Isabella's throne.But I didn't need to destroy her completely in one move.I just wanted to make her suffer. To taste the bitterness I'd swallowed for years.When Damien returned, his expression was… thoughtful. Conflicted. I'd never seen him like this.He settled into the chair beside my bed with obvious weight on his shoulders. His fingers drummed against the armrest—a nervous habit I'd noticed during our worst fights."About the amusement park," he said suddenly, his voice careful. "The day I was supposed to take Lily. That was my fault."The unexpected apology caught me completely off guard.In six years of marriage, Damien admitting fault was rarer than snow in summer."I want to make it up to her," he continued, his eyes locked on mine. "Another day, just the three of us. Maybe next weekend."The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache.He really meant it. For the first time, he was actively planning to spend tim

Elara's POVI didn't answer his question.Instead, I closed my eyes and let my breathing slow to mimic sleep.If he'd asked me this when Lily was alive, my heart would have exploded with joy.I would have thrown my arms around him and said yes without hesitation.But now?Now I felt nothing but cold emptiness.I couldn't bear the thought of maintaining this broken marriage while he continued his ambiguous relationship with Isabella.When Damien realized I wasn't going to respond, he stopped waiting for an answer.His arm tightened around me, pulling me closer against his chest with unprecedented gentleness.He'd never held me like this before. Never offered this kind of tender intimacy during our six years of marriage.Despite everything, my heart began racing at the unfamiliar warmth of his embrace.But then Lily's face flashed in my mind, and the warmth shattered into sharp-edged grief.My daughter would never know that her father had finally learned to be gentle.She'd died believin