Chapter 2 Just as Elara was about to speak , Damien's face hardened . He yanked her to her feet . " Stop the act , " his voice was glacial . " Isabelle fell from the fifth floor . You just rolled down a flight of stairs . " " Get up . We're going to the hospital so you can apologize . " 2011 C He dragged her mercilessly toward the door , completely ignoring the blood streaming from her forehead and the fresh agony from her knee , which screamed in protest with every step . Elara was shoved into the car , remaining silent the entire way . She stared at the blurred city lights flying past the window , her mind focused on a single thought . Just endure it . Just a little longer , and you'll be free . In the hospital room , Isabelle was propped against the pillows , her face pale , a pristine white bandage wrapped around her wrist . The moment she saw Elara , she flinched , her eyes instantly welling with tears . " Damien … " she trembled , her voice like that of a frightened deer . " I … I don't want to see her … Damien immediately rushed to her side , taking her hand gently . " Don't be afraid . I'm here . No one will hurt you . " He then turned , his gaze falling on Elara like a physical blow . " What are you standing there for ? Apologize . " Elara , though exhausted , was unnervingly calm . She looked directly at Isabelle and asked softly , " Miss Croft , when you fell from that window … was it really me who pushed you ? " Isabelle's eyelashes fluttered , and a tear rolled down her cheek . " If you don't want to apologize , it's fine , Miss Vance . I never intend- ed to cause you trouble . " She began to sob , her voice thick with heartbreak . " I know Damien has been spending all his time with me , and it's only natural for you to resent that . But you two only have a marriage of convenience . He doesn't love you . If it weren't for the fact that my backgro- und doesn't match his , he would never have been yours in the first place … " Her crying grew more intense , and Damien's expression grew darker with every tear . " Seraphina ! " he snapped . " I brought you here to apologize , not to agitate her ! Are you going to do it or not ? " Elara closed her eyes for a moment . She knew Isabelle was framing her . But … she was so close to leaving . She couldn't afford any problems with the family alliance . If something went wrong , she wouldn't get her five million dollars . She wouldn't get her freedom . " I'm sorry , " she said quietly . " It was my fault . " With that , she turned to leave . " Stay , " Damien's cold voice stopped her . " Since you're the one who pushed her , you'll stay here and take care of her until she's disc harged . " Elara's fingers curled slightly at her side . Finally , she nodded . " Fine . " For the next few days , Elara remained by Isabelle's bedside , a constant , silent presence . 20.11 Chapter 2 2011 Damien practically lived at the hospital , abandoning all his company duties to personally feed Isabelle broth , wipe her hands , and soothe her to sleep … These were all things he had never once done for Elara . But Elara felt no jealousy . She just quietly cared for Isabelle , her expression serene , as if The nurses whispered amongst themselves . " My God , I've never seen a wife be so gracious ! " mafone of it had anything to do with her . " You don't get it . This is the highest form of love , " another nurse sighed . " She loved int care for the woman he loves , just for the chance that he might look her Damien happened to overhear this as he was walking past . It's way . SO He paused , his gaze involuntarily drawn to the slender figure inside the room . " Blackwood so much that she's willing to Elara was looking down , her head bowed in concentration as she peeled an apple , her profile quiet and docile . A strange , unfamiliar feeling stirred in Damien's chest . The day Isabelle was discharged , Damien spoke to Elara directly . " I'm taking Isabelle on unless it's an emergency . " Elara nodded . " Alright . " વે trip for a few days . Don't contact me Finally , she wouldn't have to face them anymore . She watched him lead Isabelle away , his hand protectively on her arm . A sense of relief washed over her . Back at the estate , she began packing her bags , preparing for her departure . A few days later , she scrolled past a new post on Isabelle's social media feed . Damien had taken her to the Maldives . He'd won a bidding war for her at a charity auction , buying a lantern in her name , and had spent a fortune on a necklace she admired . Elara glanced at the photos once before calmly scrolling on . She didn't care . She had never cared at all .