121_Lucian’s Ruin

Eloise

I never expected victory to feel like this.

Not light. Not triumphant. It was heavy, like dragging a chest of gold through mud, valuable, priceless, but soaked in sweat and grit, with bruises carved into my palms.

I was close to the parking lot when my phone buzzed, once, then again. My lawyer’s name flashed across the screen.

“Eloise,” I murmured to myself, steadying my breath, “this is it.”

I answered. “Yes?”

“Don’t leave yet.” His voice carried ...