Chapter 24 News of Lena reached Sloane a week later. She was dead. During the night shift change, Lena had stabbed a pencil into her own throat. It was a slow and agonizing way to die, yet she hadn't made a sound. A guard noticed something was wrong and rushed her to the hospital, but she was already gone. Sloane couldn't help but sigh. The woman who once flaunted her triumphs now met such an end. But she felt no pity. No one had forced Lena to commit her cruel acts. She had chosen them, and she paid the price. Wrongdoing deserved punishment. On the day Sloane and Elias left Larkhill, Julian himself came to the airport. He still refused to look at Elias, but his demeanor had changed. "Sloane... I'm sorry. For everything. I was selfish. Arrogant. I hurt you when I should've protected you." He shook his head, a bitter smile touching his lips. "I'm just glad it didn't end worse." Thinking of everything that had happened, he gave a bitter smile. He had once believed that loving Sloane meant keeping her by his side at all costs. If not for Lena's attack, he might never have realized that her life with him had been nothing but misery. She had never laughed freely around him-not five years ago, not now. Because of him, she had nearly lost her life. He still remembered the moment he opened that door and saw Lena's knife aimed at Sloane, the breathless terror as his heart seemed to stop. In that instant, he had regretted ever dragging her back into his cage. If he hadn't, she would never have faced that danger. Later, watching the lightness in her face when she was with Elias, he had felt nothing but shame. Sloane had been right. His love had been shallow, selfish. It had been possession, not devotion. He had loved her, but not enough. Otherwise, how could he have ignored her pain, caring only about his own desires? Chapter 24 15.79% At least now he had learned. From here on, he would step back and let her live free. He only wanted to see her happy, not caged and suffocated by him. The plane streaked across the clear sky, leaving a white trail. Sloane rested her head on Elias's shoulder, soaking in their quiet moment of peace. So much had happened, teaching her more than she could put into words. In the hush, she suddenly spoke-at the very same time Elias did. "Elias, let's get married." "Sloane, marry me." Both stopped in surprise, then smiled at each other, hearts in sync. They truly were of one mind. Their wedding was set for November, the month they had first become a couple. By then, the camellias would be in full bloom, red and white blossoms crowding the branches. Elias plucked one, tucking it into her hair. Against her white gown, it was breathtaking. "Elias Wynn, do you take Sloane Quinn to be your wife? To love her, stand by her, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, from this day forward?" "I do." "Sloane Quinn, do you take Elias Wynn to be your husband? To love him, stand by him, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, from this day forward?" Sloane met Elias's eyes and smiled, nodding firmly. "I do." Chapter 24 15.79% Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!