Page 136 of King of Ruin

"If someone had told me that a few months ago..." A quiet, almost wistful laugh escaped her. "If Xavier had told me he loved me back then..." She shook her head gently. "I think I would've been the happiest woman in the world."

Her fingers lightly curled around the edge of the plate.

"That's all I ever wanted."

She looked at Astrid, her expression calm and sincere.

"I already have parents who love me. I have people who care about me." She smiled softly. "The only thing I ever wished for was to be loved by the man I loved."

Her gaze drifted away for a brief moment before returning to Astrid.

"But not anymore."

She slowly shook her head.

"I don't want a love that I have to guess." Her voice remained steady. "I don't want to keep wondering whether someone loves me or not... whether I'm enough or where I stand."

A small smile returned to her lips, gentle but resolute.

"I want a love that's obvious." She looked directly at Astrid. "One that doesn't leave room for doubt."

Astrid let out a soft hum of understanding.

"This is why you're doing it, isn't it?" she asked, watching Elise carefully. "You're deliberately pushing him away. You're making him leave you."

Elise didn't deny it.

Instead, she calmly placed the plate of cookies on the dining table. Once she was done, she folded her arms loosely across her chest and leaned back against the counter.

"Maybe," she admitted.

Her answer was simple, almost casual.

"But it's better this way."

Astrid frowned slightly.

Elise glanced toward the staircase where Xavier had disappeared before continuing.

"If he never realizes that he loves me, then it will be easier for him to move on." Her voice remained steady. "He won't have to go through the pain of losing someone he truly loves because he never had to face that loss in the first place."

She looked down briefly, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

"It will be better for him... and for me."

Astrid studied her silently before crossing her arms over her chest.

"So when he brought me back to this house..." she said slowly, "you already knew, didn't you?"

Elise looked at her.

"You knew he was only doing it to hurt you."

She tilted her head slightly.

"You knew he wasn't actually in love with me."

For a moment, Elise didn't answer.