The rejection struck him harder than he expected.
His fingers curled slowly into a fist. Who did this to her? How deeply did they carve fear into a child?
But Ella’s steady voice slipped into his mind through the link.
“Damian… leave. Let me handle this. Please.” He hesitated—but he trusted her.
So he turned and walked out. Lucian and Madam Brie followed quietly, closing the door behind them.
Immediately, the atmosphere softened.
Ella stood still for a moment, patient as a moonlit lake. She let the silence settle, let Elina breathe without the weight of so many eyes.
Elina’s shoulders trembled as she pressed herself to the wall, tears streaking down her pale face.
“I—I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to make trouble… I was just hungry… I didn’t steal anything, I swear…” Her voice cracked in
