“Your mother humiliated me when she broke off our engagement. When she ran off and even had a child with someone else, I was filled with nothing but hatred. I made a vow to get rid of her child. I nearly convinced myself to go through with it. But then I found out you were the genius behind ‘Dr. Atkinson’ and ‘River.’ That changed everything for me. All my anger disappeared. Now, all I want is to have you by my side.”

To back up his claim, Miguel whipped out his phone and initiated a video call.

“I’ll let you see Quentin for yourself.” Elliana kept her face calm and gave nothing away.

The screen flashed as the call connected, and a respectful voice answered, “Mr. Griffiths, how could I help you?”

Miguel didn’t waste a second.

“Put Quentin on. Now.”

“Of course.”

A slight movement on the other end brought Quentin’s face into view, filling the screen with the unmistakable look of someone caught between hope and dread.

Miguel tilted the phone so Elliana could see everything.

“Take a look. He’s alive and well. Go ahead and talk to him if you want.”

Elliana didn’t get a word out before Quentin’s voice broke through, thick with emotion.

“Elliana, are you okay?”

Hearing his voice reminded her just how much she owed him, though she masked her true feelings behind a steady, measured tone.

“I’m alright. Thanks for letting my brother and father go. I owe you one.”

Oblivious to her true emotions, Quentin caught only the chill in her response. That hurt more than he’d expected. A wry, almost resigned smile tugged at his lips. He’d been in love with her for as long as he could remember. All those years, he’d pictured her standing by his side, hoping for a chance that never came. Her heart belonged to someone else now, and there was no turning back. Wanting her happiness had become his only wish, even if it meant letting go.

“Elliana, I chose this. You don’t owe me anything. Don’t make a deal with him for my sake,” Quentin begged, his voice rough and urgent.

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“He’s dangerous. Don’t trust a single thing he says.”

She held firm, her eyes revealing nothing.

“You may not want anything in return, but I don’t like owing people, even if you say it was your choice.”

Miguel didn’t wait for any more back and forth. The call ended abruptly, the screen going dark before Quentin could say more. Elliana didn’t entertain the idea of learning much from this call. She already had a plan.

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