AFTER THE FALL
Her eyes burned with exhaustion.
But sleep was impossible.
Not tonight.
***
Hours later, dawn peeled across the city. Pale gold light filtered through her curtains, illuminating her living room. Elara sat rigidly on the edge of the couch, feeling hollowed out.
At least the sun brought clarity.
As soon as she could breathe again, she called her lawyer.
Juliette answered on the first ring.
“Elara?”
Her voice trembled with fatigue. “I left him.”
A slow, deep exhale came through the line. “Good. But you need to be careful now. Damien is…”