All Chapters of After My Last Breath: Chapter 191 - Chapter 200

[Elara]“Are you sure you want to stay here…” Damon looks up at the massive condo in front of him, a little less sure of himself, “…when you can stay at home?”Home. I almost laugh at the very concept.He probably doesn’t realize that the place he’s calling home is not my home anymore. It never was. For me, it was a place that provided a roof but no warmth. Four walls but no security. A bed but no peace.The memories of that place are still fresh in my mind, especially from when I first moved in after getting married to him. Not only did he make sure the maids and other staff members knew my status in the family by treating me like garbage in front of them, but he also gave the entire household the freedom to mistreat me however they liked.They would hand me a burnt breakfast while serving him a perfect one, and when I complained, he would turn a blind eye. They would spill tea on me “accidentally,” yet he would still ask me to apologize because, apparently, it was my fault for being

When I finally reach the condo, I get out of the car and take the elevator to her floor.I stop outside her door, hesitating for a moment before knocking.I look down at the small gift in my hand—the one I was supposed to give her when we landed—and a strange heaviness settles in my chest. It’s just a pair of earrings, but I remember the way her eyes lit up when she saw them at the mall with Cora years ago, how she lingered for a second longer than usual, like she really wanted them but didn’t dare say it out loud.And what did I do?I didn’t even let her finish looking. I dragged her out like her wishes didn’t matter, like she didn’t matter.Later, I bought the same pair for Hannah, thinking it meant something, but she never even wore them.Still, I kept them all this time, and now I don’t even know why—maybe because, somewhere deep down, I always knew they were never meant for anyone el

[Damon]It’s been almost an hour since I pulled up outside the old Blackwood Villa.But for some reason, I haven’t been able to gather the strength to step out.Maybe it’s because I know what to expect the moment I walk inside.I know exactly who’s going to be waiting for me—ready to tear me apart.And if I had a choice, I wouldn’t have come back. I would’ve driven in the opposite direction, far away from this place.But unfortunately, I don’t have that choice.Mom made it very clear earlier on the phone—if I didn’t show up, she would make things a lot worse for me. And knowing her, she would do exactly that without a second thought.And honestly, I would have taken my chances if her threats were limited to me. But they’re not. Knowing her as long as I have, she might even do something to Elara to make me cooperate.And that is the last thing I want to happen.Elara has already been through enough. She doesn’t deserve more of my family’s bullshit.So, with a sigh, I finally get out of

[Elara]I close the door and press my back against it, sighing deeply.“Great. I thought he would never leave.”I almost jump at the voice, still very much anxious about the whole thing. Only God knows how I’ve managed to keep my calm in front of Damon. The last thing I wanted was for him to suspect anything.I glare at the man sitting so casually on the couch—someone walking by would mistake him for the owner of the place. “You scared the hell out of me. Why did you do that?”Griffin looks up, still as casual as ever. “Do what?” he asks, raising a brow. “All I did was ask a question.”He’s right. He only asked a question—nothing too threatening. And yet, here I am, practically having a heart attack.Maybe it’s because I’ve never done something like this before—lied straight through my teeth. And done it so boldly that even Damon Blackwood believed me.Looks like Hannah and I finally have something in common.I sigh, peel my back off the door, and look straight at the man. “So, where

Present DayWhen I wake up next, after having a very, very sound sleep, the first thing I do is grab my phone and go through everything I missed during the night.I’m partly disappointed after seeing all the texts Griffin left me.Partly because he at least made sure to keep me updated on everything that happened after I left the basement room—but also disappointed because I expected him to send me at least one video for my own satisfaction.In one of the texts, he mentions that his men continued to beat Nolan and his friends. Sometimes they would fall unconscious, but then his men would pour ice-cold water on them, startling them awake, and start beating them all over again.I check the time and realize the last text he sent me was only five minutes ago.I quickly slip out of bed and change into a pair of pants and a casual T-shirt. If I move now, I might catch Griffin in action. It’s just sad that he didn’t let me stay last night. I would have loved to watch Nolan get what he deserv