"Of course not." I shook my head. "I'm grateful that during my year and a half with the Vernals, there was someone like you who believed in me. But that's exactly why you should stay. The mansion needs someone to manage things. You know everything here. And besides?—"
I paused before continuing. "A new Luna will be moving in soon. She'll need your help."
Lizzie stared at me, wide-eyed, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
But she'd understand eventually. I said nothing more, picked up my suitcase again, and headed for the door.
Just then, it opened from the outside.
Cold wind rushed in. I looked up instinctively and saw Elias, home for the first time in ages.
We were both surprised to meet here. I was surprised he'd left Liv's side to come back. He was probably surprised by the suitcase in my hand.
"You're going out? Who said you could leave?" His gaze swept over the suitcase. He strode inside immediately, reaching to take it from me.
"Get back to your room. Now! Where are the guards? Lizzie?—"
I gripped the handle tightly and yanked the suitcase back. "Don't bother calling anyone! I'm free!"
Elias froze. I stumbled back a step and forced myself to stand tall under his questioning stare. "Alfred gave permission! Elias, I'm only a suspect, not a convict. You can't keep me locked up forever!"
Fury flashed in his eyes. His lips pressed together, and his throat bobbed as he struggled to control his emotions.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and didn't stop until he was uncomfortably close. He was half a head taller than me, his shadow falling over me, radiating pressure. "Serenity, do youthink leaving this mansion is a good thing? You have no idea what you'll face out there. The pack members who hate traitors are out for blood. They want you dead! What do you think has kept you safe all this time?"
"Now, I'm giving you one last chance." His expression was stony. "Put down the suitcase and go back to your room. I'll pretend none of this happened."
"I'm not going back." I bit down hard, refusing to cower.
Protection?Shouldn't real protection mean clearing my name?
He had locked me in this mansion, treated me like a criminal, yet refused to push the investigation forward. Everyone believed I was the traitor who had sold out the pack! And he had the nerve to call thatprotectingme?
He had never truly trusted me.
"You should be happy about this, Elias. You can't hide Liv outside forever. But if you bring her back to the mansion, can you really feel comfortable with me under the same roof as her?"
I used to care so much about how he saw me. I had refused to accept the traitor label. But right now, I felt a reckless satisfaction throwing it back in his face.
His frown deepened, as if something didn't add up for him. "That's not your concern."
I laughed, the words tumbling out faster. "I know that's exactly what you're thinking. For her safety, you should get rid of the 'murderer.' So now I'm leaving on my own. You can bring her home anytime."
"How can you say that so easily? After betraying me, you don't even feel a shred of remorse—" His voice rose in anger.
I stared at him in disbelief, my whole body shaking with fury.
"Think whatever you want." I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the door. "Goodbye, Elias."
"Serenity!"
Elias suddenly called out. I turned around. "Think carefully." His jaw was clenched, every word forced through gritted teeth.
I looked up at him. "Elias, even though things have turned out this way between us, I want you to know—I was genuinely grateful for your help back then."
But gratitude couldn't become love. I only understood that now.
With that, I turned and left without looking back. The suitcase was heavy, but my heart felt lighter than it had in a long time.
