Chapter 86 The weight of life
Chapter 86: The Weight of a Life (Elena’s POV)
The leather seat of Julian’s Mercedes felt like ice against my skin. I sat as close to the door as possible, staring out at the blurred streetlights of Northview. My wet dress was sticking to me, and my bare feet were numb, but the pain in my heart was so much worse.
Beside me, Julian was typing away on his phone, looking completely satisfied. He didn't say a word. He didn't have to. He had already won.
"Are you happy now?" I whispered, my voice sounding like it belonged to someone else.
Julian didn't look up from his screen. "I’m efficient, Elena. I told you I’d take care of your mother, and I am. I just handed the hospital a deposit that covers her entire recovery and the specialist fee. You should be thanking me."
"Thanking you?" I turned to him, my eyes burning. "You blackmailed me. You used my dying mother to force me back into this car. You aren't a savior, Julian. You’re a kidnapper."
Julian finally looked at me. His eyes were cold, devoid of any of the warmth he used to fake when we first started tutoring. "I’m the only one who can keep your family from falling apart. Liam is a kid playing house. He doesn't have the resources to protect you. My father owns that hospital's expansion project. One phone call from me, and your mother is a priority. One phone call from me, and she’s out on the street. That’s the reality of your life. Get used to it."
I looked away, hot tears finally spilling over. I thought of Liam standing alone on that dark road. I thought of the kiss we had shared just twenty minutes ago—the only moment of pure happiness I had felt in months. Now, it felt like a dream I wasn't allowed to have.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"To the hotel," Julian said. "My parents’ suite at the Grand Regency. Since you can't stay at Maya’s and Liam's place is off-limits, you’ll stay there. There will be a nurse to check your knee and a stylist to bring you clothes that actually fit. No more charity projects."
"I don't want your clothes. I don't want your stylist."
"You’ll do what I tell you, Elena," Julian said, his voice hardening. "I didn't pay half a million dollars for you to argue with me. You’re going to be the perfect girl. You're going to stand by my side at the hockey gala next week, and you’re going to tell everyone that Liam Vance is a stalker who wouldn't leave you alone."
I felt like I was going to throw up. "I won't lie for you."
Julian leaned in close, his breath smelling like expensive mint and cold arrogance. "Then the check bounces. It’s that simple. Do you want your mother to wake up in a recovery room, or do you want to be the reason she never wakes up at all?"
I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the window. I had no move left. I was trapped in a gilded cage, and the person holding the key was the person I hated most in the world.
When we arrived at the hotel, Julian practically hauled me through the lobby. I was barefoot and shivering, but the staff didn't even blink. They just bowed and opened the private elevator. To them, I was just another one of Julian’s belongings.
He threw me into the suite and locked the door behind us. It was a massive room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
"Stay here," Julian ordered. "The nurse will be up in ten minutes. If I find out you’ve tried to call Liam, the deal is off. I’ve already had your phone service disconnected."
He walked out, slamming the door. I heard the electronic lock beep.
I sank onto the floor, my legs finally giving out. I crawled to the window and looked down at the city. Somewhere out there, Liam was looking for me. Somewhere out there, Maya was celebrating. And in a hospital room a few miles away, my mom was sleeping, unaware that her daughter had just sold her soul to save her.
I stayed there on the floor for hours, even after the nurse came and bandaged my knee. I didn't eat the food they brought. I just watched the sun start to rise over the skyline.
A soft knock came at the door. I didn't answer. The door opened anyway.
I expected Julian, but it was Maya. She was wearing a different dress, looking perfectly polished. She walked in and sat on the sofa like she owned the place.
"Julian told me you were being difficult," Maya said, crossing her legs. "Honestly, Elena, you should be more grateful. This suite costs more per night than your mom made in a year."
"Get out, Maya," I said, not even turning around.
"I just came to give you some advice," Maya said, ignoring me. "Julian is winning. You can either be the girl who lives in luxury and saves her mom, or you can be the girl who ruins everything for a boy who can't even pay his own rent. Liam is finished. His dad is cutting him off. If you really love him, you’ll stay away. You’re the reason he’s losing his future."
"You’re the one who ruined him," I snapped, turning to face her. "You and Julian."
"We just gave him a choice," Maya smirked. "And he chose wrong. Now, are you going to be smart, or am I going to have to tell Julian that you were crying about Liam all night?"
I stared at her, feeling a spark of something I hadn't felt in a long time. It wasn't sadness. It was pure, unfiltered rage.
"I'm going to destroy you, Maya," I said, my voice quiet and steady. "I don't care how much money you have. I don't care who your father is. I’m going to make sure everyone knows exactly what you are."
Maya laughed, but for the first time, she looked a little nervous. "With what? You have nothing, Elena."
"I have the truth," I said. "And unlike your money, the truth doesn't bounce."