Eliana put down her fork and met Alexander's gaze, unable to listen anymore.

"Put yourself in my shoes, Alexander," she said. "Would you forgive them? I almost died at your mother's hands, and she ordered you to kill me. If it weren't for Michael, I'd be dead. Do you understand that?"

Alexander hung his head. "I know, Eli," he said, dispirited. "If Michael hadn't begged me, and if I hadn't known about your connection with Mark, I probably would have hurt you. But I ...