lluminated by the passing streetlights. She was lost in a whirlwind of grief, her parents' faces flashing in her mind like a

e seemed calm, but inside, he was waging a war. Elsa's sobs, quiet but heart-wrenching, chipped away at the steel walls he had built around himself. Par

ated the

, her eyes dull with sorrow. The grand estate loomed before her, its towering structure almost mocking her pain. She had once dreamed of this

ded when they saw Elsa's face. Liam dismissed them with a

ering light casting a soft glow over the space. A four-poster bed stood at the center, draped with pri

She could feel the weight of her wedding dress pressing down on

she mumbled, her v

lowing her to walk past him into the adjoining bathroom. As

one. But something held him back. His mind wandered to his mother

ow on, but you must surv

ade. He had waited years for this moment, for the chance to exact his revenge on

of guilt crept in. He had spent so long plotting and scheming, hardening his heart against her, that

within him. This was exactly what he couldn't afford-weakness. He needed

tepped out, her wedding dress replaced with a simple white robe. Her hair hung

m and sat on the edge of the bed. Her hands c

rembling. "I don't know how I'm

d raw. Liam's chest tightened, but

m. "Because you have to. Life doesn't stop

ere the truth-his truth. He had learned

mething there-pain, anger, and something else she couldn't quite place. But

lap. "Thank you," she whispered, though sh

ng estate, his mind racing. This was just the beginning. Elsa didn't

body and mind exhausted from the day's events. Liam

d under his breath, thou

d left the room, leaving E

ith himself. And as he walked through the dark corridors of his mans