The air on the doorstep crackled, thick with the weight of his declaration. Elara could feel the fragile shell of her new life straining, threatening to fracture under the force of his presence."Laying siege?" she finally managed, her voice trembling. "Is that what you call this? Another Sterling takeover attempt?""No," he said, his gaze unwavering. "A siege implies I have an army. I have nothing. No weapons, no strategy. Just the truth. I am here, alone, asking you to consider letting me in."He was offering her everything. And nothing. No promises, no guarantees. Just a man, flawed and desperate, standing on her threshold.Her mind was a warzone. The memory of his cold dismissal warred with the image of him holding her during the waltz. The feel of his hand, gentle on her back, clashed with the echo of his command to get out."You hurt me," she whispered, the words a raw confession."I know," he breathed, his own pain etched
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