Chapter 4: Faded to Black
Rain hammered against the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, turning the city skyline into a blur of silver lights.
Elena rested against a mountain of pillows.
A thin bandage covered the bridge of her nose.
The swelling around her lip had already begun to fade.
The bedroom door opened quietly.
Victor walked inside wearing a fresh white shirt, carrying the faint scent of rain and expensive cologne.
There was no trace of the violence that had consumed the evening.
He crossed the room and sat beside her.
Carefully, he brushed his fingertips along the uninjured side of her face.
"Is it over?"
Her voice was barely audible.
Victor nodded.
"It's handled."
She studied him for a long moment.
"And Camilla?"
A flicker of something unreadable crossed his eyes.
"Camilla accepted a permanent relocation."
He adjusted the blanket over Elena's shoulder.
"Somewhere very far away."
"She won't be coming back."
He didn't mention the private jet waiting on a deserted runway.
He didn't mention the armed security team that escorted Camilla aboard after stripping away her fortune, her communications, and every privilege attached to the Vance name.
He didn't mention Julian.
By sunrise, every official record proving Julian had ever existed would be gone.
Elena leaned into Victor's hand and closed her eyes.
She had long ago learned there were questions that had no place in their world.
Sometimes ignorance wasn't denial.
Sometimes it was survival.
Victor bent down and pressed a lingering kiss against her forehead.
"No one will ever hurt you again."
It wasn't comfort.
It was a promise.
Outside, rain continued to wash over the sleeping city.
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The Vance empire remained exactly where it had always stood.
Only now, the world had been reminded why its king was feared—and why no one who threatened what belonged to him was ever given a second chance.
