Cold night air struck sharply against Elara's skin the moment she stepped outside the gala hall while distant music continued echoing faintly behind the enormous glass doors now closing slowly at her back, and for several trembling seconds she simply stood there beneath the silver glow of moonlight trying desperately to steady the violent storm tearing through her chest.
Her breathing refused calming.
Too many emotions collided inside her at once.
Fear.
Confusion.
Anger sharp enough to leave her hands trembling faintly against the railing beside the marble staircase descending toward the quiet university courtyard below.
Alexander knew about her sister.
That single truth kept echoing endlessly through her thoughts like broken glass scraping against old wounds that had never truly healed.
She hated it.
Hated how easily he shattered through walls she spent years building carefully around herself.
And worst of all—
