Elle’s POV
He looked exactly the same. Tall. Strong. Confident. His dark hair was neatly styled, not a strand out of place. He wore a black shirt that hugged his broad chest and matching trousers. His eyes—those sharp blue eyes—scanned Ethan first, then landed on me.
I stood still, frozen in place.
The memories hit like waves.
Him pulling me close after a training session. His lips brushing my forehead as he whispered promises. The warmth of his arms. The way he used to smile at me like I was his whole world.
And then…
Him standing at the council table. His voice cold as he sentenced me to death. His eyes empty. The way he didn’t flinch when I begged for him to believe me. The way he looked at my sister as if she was the victim, not me.
My stomach twisted painfully.
John smiled
