CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN (ELARA'S POV)

Killian Hayes showing up at her doorstep was not part of the plan.

Elara had spent the past week carefully crafting her next move, trying to play the long game—to get close enough to destroy him the way he had planned to destroy her.

But now, standing in front of him, watching the way his sharp eyes narrowed at her, something dark flashing in them, she knew he could tell something had changed.

Good.

She heard him walk in after her, she turned briefly and saw something flickered across his face, a moment of hesitation, but then his usual controlled expression returned.

“Elara.”

He only said he name. A quiet command.

There was a time where she might have reacted to it. A time when it might have meant something.

Not anymore.

She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe to the living room, raising a brow. "If you're here for business, we can talk tomorrow. If you’re here for something else, don’t waste my time."

His jaw ticked. "Stop avoiding me."

She let out a cold and humorless laugh. "Believe it or not, Killian, I have better things to do than worry about you."

A blatant lie.

She had spent every waking moment thinking about him. About what she had uncovered. About how stupid she had been to let her guard down.

And worst of all, about how much it still hurt.

Killian took a step closer, his presence suddenly clouding her mind.. "Cut the bullshit, Elara. Something’s wrong. You’re different."

She tilted her head, eyes cold. "How am I different?"

His gaze darkened. "You tell me."

She let out a slow breath, then smiled. "This is what you wanted, isn’t it? You made it perfectly clear that whatever happened before was an act. That there was nothing between us. So why does it bother you now that I’m behaving exactly the way you wanted?"

He said nothing, but his jaw clenched.

She took a deliberate step closer, looking up at him with fake innocence. "Or did you think I was still some naive little girl who couldn’t separate business from emotions?" Her voice dropped. "That I’d still be waiting for you to change your mind?"

His nostrils flared slightly, but he didn’t speak.

She scoffed, stepping back. "There’s nothing between us besides a contracted relationship. I’m simply behaving professionally. That is what you wanted, isn’t it, Mr. Hayes?"

His hands curled into fists at his sides. “Elara—”

"No," she cut him off, eyes blazing with anger. "You don’t get to question me, Killian. You pushed me away. You reminded me that this was nothing more than a means to an end. So don't stand here acting like I’m the one who changed."

The tension between them was thick and suffocating.

For a long moment, he just looked at her, his expression unreadable, his eyes locked onto hers with something she couldn't quite decipher.

Then, "Tomorrow," he said, voice quieter now. "My office. Don’t be late."

She didn’t answer, just gave him a short nod before stepping back inside and shutting the door in his face.

The moment she heard his car start, she exhaled, pressing her forehead against the door.

Her heart was pounding.

Not from fear.

Not from guilt.

But from the knowledge that the game had officially begun.

And Killian Hayes?

He had no idea just how ready she was to win.

Just as Elara exhaled, her phone buzzed in her grip.

She glanced down, her her heart beating steady, but her eyes burned with something far more lethal as she read the message:

"The next phase is in motion. Be ready." A slow, dangerous smirk grew on her lips as she read the text.

She lifted her eyes  and stared at her reflection at a mirror in the foyer. Her eyes were burning with fury and unshead tears, she was so angry at the unfortunate luck that had come her way.

It wasn't too late, she would amment everything. Make them at for wronging her.

"Killian Hayes. Ivy Beckett."

She exhaled slowly, closing her eyes as she imagined the taste of victory when she brings them to their downfall.

"You have no idea what's coming for you."

Not one bit.