Chapter 138

Elena's POV

I sat motionless through the night, staring at the dark water outside the ferry window. My body felt hollow, emptied of everything except grief.

The cabin door opened, and Jason entered with food. He froze when he saw me.

"Fuck, Elena. Have you been sitting there all night?"

I didn't answer. Couldn't. The energy required to turn my head seemed monumental.

"Look, stop staring. Since you've decided to leave everything behind, don't think about it anymore. From what I know about Richard, he may be an asshole, but he takes good care of his children."

Jason set down the bag and approached me cautiously. "You need to sleep. You need to eat."

"What's the point?" My voice sounded foreign to my own ears.

"What's the point?" Jason slammed his fist against the wall. "You have your own goal now. You need to rebuild the Winter family, and you need to repay Cinda. You should pull yourself together."

Something stirred within me.

"You're right. I should pull myself together. I need to correct the mistakes I've made."

I grabbed the sandwich he'd brought and took a large bite.

"Slow down," Jason said, relief evident in his voice. "We have a long journey ahead."

After eating, I felt life returning to my limbs. "Did you give Cinda's family the money?"

Jason nodded. "Made it look like payment from a client. Your uncle Mason was suspicious but accepted it."

"And the search for other Winter family members?"

"Found one distant cousin," Jason said. "Your family members are surprisingly sparse."

"We've never been prolific breeders," I said with a sad smile.

The view outside the window gradually became clearer, but just thinking about the kids tore at my heart. I had left them in a fit of rage, and now all I could do was pray that Richard would take good care of them.

---

A few days later, I arrived in the city where Morgan was. In a luxurious banquet hall, I wore the dress she had helped me choose. Thanks to her connections, I was able to gain entry to this banquet hall.

As I sipped champagne, a familiar voice behind me made my heart stop.

"Elena? What a surprise to see you here."

I turned around to see a man in a perfect dark suit with gold-rimmed glasses standing there.

"William," I managed. "What are you doing here?"

William stepped closer, his expression turning bittersweet, his gold-rimmed glasses catching the light. His presence here—at this high-end gathering so far from Moonhaven—confused me.

"I could ask you the same question," he replied softly, his voice barely audible over the classical music.

"I'm planning to start over here," I answered simply.

I lowered my voice. "How did you end up at this event? I thought your company was based in Moonhaven."

A shadow crossed William's face, something dark flickering in his eyes. He took a small sip of his champagne before answering.

"Let's just say Moonhaven's business landscape has become... inhospitable for my ventures recently."

The truth hit me like a blow to the head. "It's because of me, isn't it? Richard is targeting you because of me."

William's silence was confirmation enough.

"That controlling, vengeful bastard," I said through gritted teeth, guilt welling up inside me. "William, I'm so sorry. I've caused you trouble. I had no idea he would do this."

"Don't apologize," William shook his head. "The Blackwood Group's pressure tactics were... very persuasive. Relocating the business was simply a wise decision."

I felt sick. Another person paying the price for being associated with me.

William suddenly brightened, changing the subject. "Let me introduce you to some friends. These people might be able to help you."

I narrowed my eyes. William's offer was exactly what I needed, the timing almost unbelievably perfect.

"That would be great," I said, while carefully observing him.

As William led me toward a group of elegantly dressed men and women in the center of the room, Morgan made an excuse to leave. "Private matters," she said quietly. "I'll find you later."

I noticed Morgan walking toward the bar area, but my attention was quickly drawn to the influential people William was introducing me to. Throughout the evening, I occasionally glimpsed Morgan and Jason engaged in what appeared to be a tense conversation at the other end of the room, but I was too busy networking to investigate.

By the end of the night, my spirits were soaring. William had introduced me to exactly the right people—wealthy investors looking for new opportunities, influential business owners with extensive connections in the financial world, and even a retired judge with ties to the business licensing board.

These were precisely the connections I needed to rebuild the Winter family.

"I can't believe how helpful tonight was," I said excitedly to Morgan and Jason as we drove home. "William's introductions were perfect. My plans actually have a chance now!"

Neither responded with matching enthusiasm. Morgan kept glancing at Jason in the rearview mirror, while he stared glumly out the window.

"What's wrong with you two?" I asked, but received only vague shrugs in response.

Richard's POV

I sat in the darkness of Elena's apartment, my senses alert to every sound outside. The single lamp I'd left on cast long shadows across this unfamiliar space. Her scent was everywhere.

This week, I sent people to search for Elena, and finally found her in this city. I didn't expect that she had gone abroad to avoid me.

Twenty minutes later, a key turned in the lock. As her scent grew stronger, my muscles tensed. She was home.

Elena pushed open the door and froze, her eyes widening as they adjusted to the dim light. I watched her body stiffen as she recognized me.

"Enjoying your freedom?" I kept my voice low, controlled. "You seem happier without me."

I stood slowly, observing her reaction. Her eyes darted to the door behind her, calculating escape routes. This sight stung more than I had expected.

"What's wrong, Elena? Are you afraid of me?"

"Yes," her voice trembled slightly. "I am afraid. Afraid you'll drag me back to Highland Estate and lock me away again."

Each word hit like a physical blow. Is that what she thought of me? A jailer?

"And what else are you afraid of?" I stepped closer, needing to understand how deep her resentment ran.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to rebuild my family," she said, her voice strengthening. "I'm afraid I won't be able to repay Mason and Cinda."

Her eyes hardened. "Are you here to take me back? I'm telling you, unless I'm dead, you won't get what you want!"

"Have you forgotten everything between us?" I felt my control slipping as my wolf pushed forward, golden light filtering into my vision.

"I remember. I gave up everything to be your wife—my family's dignity, my freedom," she shot back. "Are you trying to remind me now how ridiculous my actions were?"

Something flashed in her eyes—not just anger, but pain. Before I could process it, she shoved me with surprising strength.

"From now on, we're done," she declared. "I'll have my lawyer handle the divorce papers."