Page 94 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

"Tomorrow. Two o'clock," I said coldly. "Press room at Hale Palace. I've arranged a media conference. We're releasing evidence of your fake news campaign. We're clearing Elena's name."

"And," I stepped forward, leaning down to look at her, "you're going to apologize to Elena in front of everyone."

"You're going to kneel," my voice dropped lower, "the way she knelt in front of you five years ago. Then you're going to lick her shoes, just like you made her do."

"No..." Lina shook her head. "Lucifer, please don't make me..."

"It's what you deserve." I straightened up and shook off her reaching hand. "Tomorrow at two. Don't be late. My people will be watching you."

I turned toward the door.

"Lucifer!" Lina called after me. "I can't! I can't do that in front of all those people—"

I stopped but didn't turn around.

"You can choose not to show up," I said. "In which case, I'll turn you over to the Justice Department. Let them handle your forgery, defamation, and incitement charges. Your choice."

I walked out. As I closed the door, I heard Lina's muffled crying from inside.

The next afternoon at one-thirty, I stood backstage in the press room.

Marcus stood beside me with his tablet. "Your Majesty, all the media are here. Ms. Windsor has arrived—she's in the lounge. And Lina... she's here too."

I nodded. "I'll see Elena first."

I walked to the lounge and knocked.

"Come in."

I pushed the door open. Elena sat on the couch in a navy suit, hair pinned up, makeup flawless. She stood when she saw me.

"Lucifer."

"Ready?" I asked.

She nodded, but I saw her fingers trembling slightly.

I crossed the room and took her hand. "Don't be nervous."

She looked up at me, those amber eyes full of uncertainty—and trust.

"In a minute..." she hesitated. "Will Lina really come?"

"She'll come," I said. "I've made sure of it."

"But..." Elena bit her lower lip. "Making her apologize publicly... isn't it too—"

"No." I interrupted. "Elena, this is what she deserves. What she did to you five years ago, she's paying back today."

Elena didn't speak. She just looked at me.

"Trust me," I said, my thumb brushing across the back of her hand. "I won't let anyone hurt you again."

Her eyes reddened, but she blinked quickly, pushing the tears back.

"Okay," she said.

Two o'clock sharp. The press conference began.