The iron chains cut into Elena's skin, her wrists raw and bleeding as she slumped against the cold stone floor.
Victoria's laughter rang through the cellar, sharp and cruel. "Seven years, sister. Seven years you hated him, seven years you called him cruel… all because of me. And you never even realized it."
Elena's eyes widened. Her voice cracked. "What…?"
Adrian stepped into the light, Alexander's signet ring glinting on his finger. His smirk was cold, dagger gleaming in his hand. "Did you really believe Alexander didn't love you? That he only stayed with you for the children? Every poisonous word you believed—Victoria and I put them there."
Her stomach dropped. "No… you lied…"
Victoria crouched, grabbing Elena's chin with icy fingers. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes were venom. "Yes. I made you despise your husband. I made you resent your children. And you handed everything to us—his trust, his wealth, his empire. You betrayed the man who loved you more than his own life… for nothing."
Adrian chuckled. "And now, dear Elena, you're no longer useful." He raised the blade to her throat. "The world will remember you as the faithless wife who destroyed her own family."
Tears filled Elena's eyes. Sophia's cries, Ethan and Daniel's silent faces, Alexander's broken voice the night she walked away—they all came rushing back, suffocating her chest.
And then—
The doors burst open.
"Elena!"
Her heart stopped.
There he was. Alexander.
After seven years.
Blood stained his shirt, his sword gleamed red, but his eyes… his eyes were the same. Fierce. Desperate. Burning with the love she had thrown away.
Adrian sneered. "Uncle, still chasing after the woman who betrayed you?"
But Alexander's gaze never wavered. His voice cut through the air. "If you touch her, you'll answer to me."
Elena's lips trembled. "Alex…"
In that instant, she knew—despite everything, despite her betrayal, despite the years—he still loved her.
He slashed through the chains, pulling her into his arms, shielding her with his own body. His breath was ragged, his voice breaking as he whispered against her hair, "I never stopped loving you. Not once."
Her tears fell hot and fast. "I was wrong… I left you… I left the children… Alex, forgive me—"
"Shh." His lips pressed to her temple, his arms trembling around her. "We'll go home. Together."
But fate had other plans.
Steel clashed. Blood sprayed. Alexander fought like a man possessed, cutting down every shadow that lunged at them. But Adrian's dagger struck deep. Alexander staggered.
"No!" Elena screamed, throwing herself in front of him. The second blade plunged into her chest.
They collapsed together, blood mingling on the floor.
Elena clung to him, vision fading. "Alex… if there's another life… I swear… I'll protect you. I'll love you. No matter what."
His hand brushed her cheek, eyes soft even as life slipped away. "Then I'll wait for you."
And in the darkness, husband and wife—betrayed but bound by love—died together.