She took a slow breath.
“I want a favor,” Eleanor said.
James blinked, startled. “A favor?”
“Yes,” she replied, voice steadying as she spoke. “You said you do not deserve me. Fine. Then earn it.”
James’s gaze sharpened. “What are you asking?”
Eleanor leaned forward slightly, her tone controlled but fierce. “Include me.”
James went still. “Include you in what?”
“In her downfall,” Eleanor said. “In Isidora’s exposure. In whatever comes next.”
James’s expression hardened instantly. “No.”
Eleanor’s eyes flashed. “You do not get to say no.”
“I do,” James said. “Because you are not safe.”
Eleanor’s voice rose, sharp and contained. “My sister was attacked in my room. Do not speak to me about safety as if I have been living in ignorance.”
James clenched his jaw. “I will not risk you again.”
“You already did,” Eleanor shot back. “Without my consent.”
James opened his mouth, then closed it again, frustration visible.
Eleanor lowered her voice. “She should have thought better before hurting my sister.”
James’s gaze flickered to Arabella. Fear tightened his face.
“I admire your bravery,” he said quietly. “But I am terrified of it.”
Eleanor’s tone softened slightly, though her resolve did not. “Then be terrified and still include me.”
James shook his head once. “I cannot.”
Eleanor’s chest tightened. “Fine. Then when it is done, we can live separately as you wanted.”
James’s face went still.
The air in the room changed.
Eleanor saw the impact of her words land in him with surprising force, as if she had struck him more deeply than any accusation.
“That is what you want,” James said slowly.
“It is what you offered,” Eleanor replied, though her voice wavered.
James’s mouth tightened. “It is not what I want.”
The words hung between them, dangerous and unfinished.
Eleanor’s breath caught. “Then what do you want?”
James stared at her as if he was about to say something he had no intention of admitting aloud.
