|| Lilac’s POV ||

Things had been better. The election preparations were moving forward, and Kael’s scandal had given us a much-needed boost. But Elias and I were still on shaky ground. His presence, once comforting, now felt suffocating. Every smile, every touch, every word felt like a reminder of the bond I couldn’t fully embrace. How was I supposed to be with him? How was I supposed to pretend everything was fine when my heart was still tangled in the past?

I needed a ...