Eleanor POV:
I woke up in the Shrine. The air was filled with silver dust—a torture method to prevent healing.
Liam entered. He held a handkerchief over his nose.
"You're awake."
He placed a velvet box on the floor.
"Diamond earrings. For the charity gala tonight."
"You whipped me yesterday," I whispered. "Today you want me to play dress-up?"
"Appearances, Eleanor. The investors are human. They don't know our laws. If you don't show, Sarah will have to take your place."
He knew exactly which buttons to push.
*
The gala was a blur of pain. I smiled until my face ached. Liam held my waist, his grip keeping me upright.
Then came the auction.
"A rare pink diamond," the auctioneer announced.
"Two million," Liam bid.
He won. He took the microphone.
"This is for the woman who carries the future," he said.
He walked past me. He gave the necklace to Sarah.
The room applauded politely. I felt like I was drowning on dry land.
I walked to the terrace for air. I stood by the infinity pool, staring at the black water.
"Lovely night."
Sarah. Wearing the diamond.
"Leave me alone," I said.
"You look pathetic," she whispered. "Why don't you just die? Liam is too weak to finish the job."
"You're faking it," I said. "I don't know how, but I smell the lie on you."
Her eyes narrowed. "Prove it."
She grabbed my arm and threw herself backward, screaming.
"Help! She's drowning me!"
We hit the water. The cold shock seized my injured muscles.
*Splash.*
Liam jumped in.
He swam past me. He didn't even look.
He grabbed Sarah. He used my shoulder as leverage to push off, sending me deeper.
I watched the bubbles rise. He carried her out.
I realized then: The bond wasn't just strained. It was dead.
A young Gamma pulled me out. I lay on the concrete, shivering.
Across the pool, Liam was wrapping a towel around Sarah, kissing her forehead. He hadn't even checked to see if I surfaced.
