Chapter 123: The Truth

Julian’s eyes were red around the edges. Whatever fire had been driving him earlier was gone, replaced by something fragile. His voice shook when he spoke."Elena... was everything in that journal real?"

I didn’t look away. There was no point pretending anymore.

"You still think I lied about Camilla?"

He shook his head quickly. "No. No, that’s not what I meant. I just... I didn’t know you suffered like that. I’m sorry."

A sharp laugh escaped me. Bitter. Hollow.

"Sorry?" I repeated. "What I suffered while I was alive doesn’t even come close to how I died."

His body stiffened. He remembered. I could see it in his face. What he didn’t know was that I remembered more than he ever would.

"When I was bleeding out by the river," I said quietly, "you were lighting fireworks."

His eyes widened slightly.

"Do you remember those fireworks? They were meant for our ceremony. For us. But instead, you used them to make Camilla laugh."

The color drained from his face.

"And do you know the last thing I saw?" I stepped closer. Not threatening. Just close enough that he couldn’t escape my voice. "You kissing her under the sky. Smiling. Like nothing else mattered."

He flinched.

"I was alone," I continued, my voice steady, cruel in its calm. "A blade in my body. Calling your name. Begging you to come."

His lips parted, but he said nothing.

"So I’ll remind you," I said. "You told me to die quietly. Because she was nearby. And you didn’t want to upset her."

The words crushed him.

"Elena..." he whispered. "If I had known "

I cut him off. "If you didn’t know, then explain this. Why did you sleep with her that same night? Our night. The night we were meant to seal our bond."

His breath hitched.

"She wore my nightgown," I added. "She lay in my bed. Beside you. Like she was me."

His eyes went wide. "How... how do you know that?"

I smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

"Because I didn’t leave," I said softly. "My body failed. I didn’t."

He couldn’t move.

"I saw everything," I went on. "Every lie. Every whisper. Every time you called her the name you once used for me. You wanted comfort from the living and loyalty from the dead."

My chest tightened, but I pushed through it.

"I thought my death would wake you up," I said. "That you’d finally see her for what she was. But instead, you all clung to her. Not one of you looked for me. Not even once."

He swallowed hard.

"It took a full month for my body to be found," I said. "A month where you told them to stop searching. A month where Camilla cleaned every trace. You handed her time. Power. Silence."

He latched onto one detail, his voice shaking.

"You stayed... all that time?"

I scoffed. "Oh yes. I watched you pretend to mourn while sharing her bed. That performance must’ve been exhausting."

"No," he said desperately. "I was manipulated. I didn’t think clearly "

"Listen to yourself," I snapped. "You’re still doing it. Blaming everyone but you."

He froze.

"When the company nearly collapsed years ago, who stepped forward?" I asked. "Me. I took the fall. I shielded you. And now you’re doing the same thing. Hiding."

I took a breath, the air heavy between us.

"You say she controlled you," I said. "But if you didn’t want her, she couldn’t have touched you. Or do you want me to remind you what you did beneath the statue you built of me?"

He lowered his head.

"I was angry," he whispered. "Just tell me... did Camilla cause your death?"

I laughed softly. Coldly.

"No. She never dirtied her hands. She planned. She watched. She let others act."

I met his eyes again.

"I died because all of you gave her permission. You let her believe she could take everything from me. And she did."

Something dark shifted in him.

"That woman..." he growled, fists tightening. "I swear, Elena. I’ll help you. No matter the cost, I’ll "

I slapped him.

"You absolute fool," I snapped, the words tearing out of me before I could soften them. "Do you think I’ve never thought of that? If I wanted her dead, she wouldn’t still be breathing. I have more than enough ways to make people disappear."

Julian stiffened, his scent shifting sharply. Shock. Fear.

"Then..." he said slowly. "You’re keeping her alive on purpose?"

I nodded. Calm. Controlled. "Camilla doesn’t just want me gone. She wants power. She wants control. She’s been circling the Hales and the Morrigans like prey. What you’ve seen so far is nothing. Beneath it all is a web of deals, favors, secrets. If she dies now, the truth dies with her."

I met his eyes, unblinking. "I want everything dragged into the light. Every name. Every hand that helped her."

His throat bobbed.

"Lewis and I have been digging into this for a long time," I continued. "But you ruined the most important moment. When I died, you stayed silent. You didn’t call the authorities. You didn’t alert the pack elders. You froze."

Julian’s face drained of color.

"That delay gave her time," I said quietly. "Time to erase trails. Time to tighten her grip."

He looked like he’d been punched.

"You were lost in guilt," I went on. "Dragging yourself around, barely alive, while she stepped into everything we built. One day she’ll toss you aside too. Just like she did with me."

I paused, letting the silence bite.

"And didn’t it ever feel strange?" I added. "How fast your health collapsed? One moment you were fine. Then suddenly you were wasting away. Doesn’t that feel wrong to you?"

His breath caught.

"It was her," he whispered. "She did this to me."

I nodded once. "I may resent you, Julian. But Camilla is dangerous. She planned my death. And she’s still moving pieces. If you want the truth if you want what little dignity you have left you need to stay calm. Lewis and I are already handling it."

His jaw tightened. "Lewis," he muttered. "Always Lewis. Always steady. Always there."

"Yes," I said firmly. "He’s my mate. I trust him."

His eyes filled. "But I mated with you first."

I turned slightly away. "That bond cracked long before I chose anyone else."

A bitter smile touched my lips. "Are you talking about that ceremony? The one designed entirely around Camilla’s taste? Even the dress wasn’t mine. And you left before the vow was sealed."

I looked back at him. "You broke my trust back then. Don’t talk to me about love now."

"Elena," he said hoarsely, "you’re the only one I’ve ever loved."

I scoffed. "The only person you’ve ever loved is yourself. Don’t confuse this conversation with forgiveness. I didn’t come here for closure."

His brows pulled together. "Then why are you here?"

I stepped closer. Close enough that my presence pressed into his space, instinct answering instinct. I lifted his chin, forcing his gaze to mine.

"I need you useful," I said softly. "You’re the only one who knows I’m back. And Camilla still trusts you. That makes you valuable."

His shoulders tensed. "Valuable how?"

"Get close to her," I said. "Charm her. Let her believe she still owns you. She won’t suspect you. We need proof. You’re the only way inside her circle."

He stared at me. "You want me to seduce her? Elena, I was bonded to you."

"That bond is ash," I replied coldly. "All I need from you now is an answer. Yes or no."

He struggled with it. I could see it pride, regret, hunger for redemption. In the end, it wasn’t about me. It never was.

"...Alright," he said. "I’ll do it."

Then, quieter, "What about you and Uncle Lewis?"

"He’s my mate now," I said without hesitation. "A stronger man. And I’m not leaving him."

Julian sank to the cold pavement, shoulders slumping. "I knew it. I just didn’t want it to be real."

I crouched in front of him. "Since you’re cooperating, I’ll give you one truth."

He looked up. "What truth?"

"Do you remember that beaded bracelet you wore after I died?" I asked. "The one that broke when my statue was torn down?"

He nodded slowly.

"My ashes were sealed inside it."

His eyes widened. "You mean... I was carrying you?"

"Yes," I said. "That’s why it shattered. It wasn’t just jewelry. It marked my release."

A sound tore out of him raw, broken, not quite human.

I stood and turned away.