Elena's POV
Julian didn't say anything for a moment. He just stood there, watching me like he was trying to figure out how much of me had broken—and how much had turned to steel.
Then he stepped forward and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Just promise me one thing."
I looked up at him.
"If he tries anything—anything—you tell me. Immediately."
"I will."
He nodded, though the tension in his jaw didn't ease.
I sat down again, slowly this time. My body still felt like it didn't belong to me. The weight of everything—Amira, Damian, the company—pressed down so hard I almost couldn't breathe.
Julian sat beside me. "This recording… it's enough to open an investigation."
"It won't bring the company back," I whispered.
"No. But it'll take her down."
And strangely, that wasn't enough either.
Because revenge wouldn't rebuild what they burned.
"Do you regret using Damian?" Julian asked.
I shook my head. "I regret needing to."
