"I believe in evidence." Elias cut off her defense and pulled out his phone. "Liv, why do you think I rushed back with people?"
He opened a security app on his phone.
"You probably didn't know, but to keep Arian safe, I had hidden cameras installed around his room after he was born." Elias played a clip from the footage. The image of Liv raising her hand at Arian, me protecting him, and her nails scratching my cheek was crystal clear.
My face paled. I hadn't realized my life here had been under his surveillance all along. Disgust grew stronger inside me. But compared to me, Liv was even worse.
All of Liv's bravado crumbled. Her shoulders sagged in defeat. She stammered, "Elias, I can explain…"
"No. I don't want to hear your explanation," Elias said firmly. "You tried to hurt my son, and you intended to keep hurting my mate. Liv, I can't tolerate you any longer."
He called out to the people he'd brought. "Notify HR and Finance. Liv no longer works at the company. Handle her severance and replace her immediately."
I held my child and watched silently, occasionally murmuring comfort to him, observing this drama unfold before me like a stage play.
Although I was surprised that Elias would actually punish Liv, on second thought, it was probably because of Arian.
This was just a father giving his child an explanation. He'd probably fire Liv from the company today and coax her back tomorrow.
"Also," Elias continued—he wasn't finished, "Herman, spread my order to every pack member. Liv Laster is hereby banned from the Vernal mansion. Anyone who sees her here has the authority to remove her. Take her away now and keep her under watch."
"Yes, sir."
"What?" Liv panicked completely. "No! Elias, you can't do this to me!"
I was stunned too.
Getting fired from the company and being banned from the mansion were entirely different things. The first could be written off as a lovers' quarrel, easily reversed later. But the latter… would leave Liv with almost nowhere to stand in the pack.
But why? Didn't he love Liv the most?
While I was trying to understand, Liv was grabbing Elias's arm and pleading. But Elias didn't hesitate, waving coldly. "Take her away."
Two warriors stepped forward and forcibly grabbed her arms, dragging her out. Liv struggled and screamed, her makeup smeared by tears—more pathetic than I'd ever seen her.
Elias simply turned his back on her. The moment he turned, a flash of venom crossed Liv's eyes. But it disappeared so quickly I almost thought I'd imagined it.
After the mansion fell quiet again, Elias walked toward me and carefully touched my cheek again. "Does it hurt?"
But I stepped back.
"Serenity?" He looked startled.
I lowered my eyes and held Arian tighter.
"Elias, haven't you had enough of this farce?" I took a deep breath. I didn't want to stay here another second. His relationship with Liv had nothing to do with me. I just wanted my peaceful life back.
"I don't love you anymore. I don't want to be dragged into your drama with Liv. I was exiled long ago. I don't want to come backto Vernal. When will you understand that? I would rather die than stay here!"
CHAPTER 17
ELIAS VERNAL
She was guarding herself against me.
I could see it in her eyes. I understood everything. Bitterness flooded my heart. "Serenity, does it have to be like this?"
"I don't know what you mean."
