Chapter 7 - The True Motive
Matthew turned to look at her, the moonlight highlighting the sharp angles of his face. "Initially? Yes. I planned to use you as a shield to keep Isabel quiet while I dismantled her network. But things changed."
"What changed?" Elena whispered, her heart pounding against her ribs.
Matthew walked toward her, closing the distance between them until she could feel the heat radiating from his chest. "You changed. I expected a broken, terrified girl who would beg for mercy. Instead, I found a woman who jumped out of a window into a raging storm rather than surrender her dignity. I saw a woman who stood up to her abuser in my lobby. You are not a pawn, Elena. Not anymore."
Elena looked into his eyes and saw a vulnerability there that he rarely allowed anyone to see. The fear that had gripped her for weeks began to melt away, replaced by a profound realize: Matthew had been her protector, but he had also become her sanctuary.
"Where is Isabel now?" Elena asked, wanting to put an end to the nightmare once and for all.
"She’s cornered," Matthew said. "She’s hiding in an old warehouse by the docks, trying to destroy the evidence before the feds find her. I was planning to go there tonight after the gala to finish this."
"I'm coming with you," Elena said firmly.
Matthew frowned. "It's too dangerous."
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"She ruined my life, Matthew. She took my father away from me, and she tried to sell me like an animal. I need to be there when her empire crumbles."
Matthew stared at her for a long moment, seeing the unbreakable resolve in her eyes. A proud smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Then let's go end this nightmare."
