Chapter 215: Mutual Ruin
Serena saw the look on Elias's face and knew there was no use explaining.
Whatever she said now, he would not believe her.
So she stopped.
The unfinished excuse died between them, and something colder took its place.
"Do you remember what I told you?" Serena asked slowly. "As long as you stayed by my side, I would handle your parents."
Elias did not answer.
Serena took one step closer.
"Now you've left me." Her voice stayed even. "So what obligation do I still have to take care of them?"
She lowered her head toward him until the tip of her nose almost brushed his face. Her scent touched his cheek first, faint and familiar, the same expensive softness that had clung to her clothes, her sheets, the rooms where she had once acted as if shelter and possession were the same thing.
"Eli," she murmured, "you know what I am. I'm a businesswoman. I don't make deals where I'm the only one paying."
Elias bit down on his lower lip.
