Elara breaks down
Faced with incontrovertible evidence and Julian’s genuine regret, Elara eventually broke down. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she battled to hold it together. ‘You won’t understand, Julian,’ she said softly, her voice shaking. Julian reached forward, his hands quivering. ‘Try me,’ he said. The honesty in his gaze broke through the last of her defenses. For the first time, Elara felt ready to tell the truth she had kept hidden for so long.
Elara Breaks Down
The secret revealed
Elara took a deep breath and shared the secret she’d harbored for a decade. ‘I adopted the children from Sara, who was in severe need,’ she admits. Julian’s world tipped on its axis. ‘Adopted?’ he repeated, startled. The gravity of Elara’s sacrifice began to register on him. She had taken on enormous responsibility while keeping the truth hidden to protect everyone concerned. The room became hushed, the impact of her disclosure evident.
The Secret Revealed
