Elena’s POV

The ride back from the banquet began in a silence so heavy that even breathing felt like an interruption.

I sat near the back of the company bus, watching through the window as the lights of the city passed by. The others filled the seats in front, but no one dared speak.

The tension surrounding Damien was clear. His expression had been unreadable ever since the chaos in the banquet hall, and Stella stayed as close to him as she could, pretending everything was ...