“What reason did you have for coming back?”
Elara's question went unanswered by Julian at first. He was even reluctant to look at her. Whether it was because he genuinely didn't want to, or because he was trying to hide something, she couldn't tell.
“Okay, forget it.” Elara moved to leave again, but once more, Julian's words stopped her.
“I have my own reason.”
Of course, that wasn't the answer Elara had expected.
“You disappeared for three years, then showed up and that's all you can say?” Elara grew even more furious. Her disappointment in Julian hadn't healed with his return. If anything, it had only intensified.
“There’s something I need to settle here. And I can’t tell you yet.”
Elara let out a harsh breath, her gaze still cold as she stared at Julian. His firm face and sharp eyes now looked at her with desperate hope.
Hope that Elara would trust him.
“Fine. Do whatever you want, just like you did when you left three years ago.” Elara had truly reached the height of her disappointment.
“Elara, don’t get too deeply involved with Dominion.”
Julian's words sparked Elara's anger again. “You were gone for three years, Julian. You have no right to tell me what I can and can’t do.”
Julian tried to step closer to Elara, but she motioned for him to stay where he was. “Stop trying to persuade me. I’m not changing my mind, even if you beg.”
“I’m just worried about you, Elara.”
Elara raised one corner of her mouth. “Worried?”
“You don’t even deserve to do that, Julian.” This time, Elara's voice sounded firmer and heavier.
“I’m just afraid you’ll find something you’re not supposed to find, Elara.” Julian looked frustrated that he still hadn't managed to persuade her.
“What do you mean?” Elara asked. Julian's words had succeeded in piquing her curiosity.
Julian exhaled harshly, as though a heavy burden rested on his shoulders and he wanted to cast it off, but could never manage to.
“Can’t you just do as I ask without asking questions?”
“Have you gone crazy? You suddenly show up after three years, then expect me to blindly do whatever you say?” Elara protested, growing even less able to understand why Julian had returned.
Was he only back to test Elara's patience?
“You’re unbelievably shameless, Julian!”
“Elara, becoming part of Dominion won’t just put you in danger. You’ll be putting everyone else in danger too, including your own family.”
Julian continued trying to convince Elara to abandon her intention of becoming part of Dominion. But Elara wouldn't be swayed that easily. Her motivation for joining Dominion was far greater than a mere request from an old friend who had suddenly reappeared like Julian.
Seeing how persistently Julian tried to persuade her, a thought crossed Elara's mind.
“Is this why you came back, Julian?”
“What do you mean?” Julian asked, confused.
“To try to stop me.”
“It’s for your own good and everyone else’s.”
Elara scoffed. “Do you have anything to do with my parents’ deaths?”
The question sounded like an accusation, but Elara clearly had to ask it. Only the perpetrators would try to stop her revenge.
Julian had just started to answer when his phone rang. He reached into his pocket and stared at the screen for several seconds before answering the call.
It didn't take Julian long to speak with the person on the other end before he finally ended the call.
Elara had no idea who had contacted Julian or what they had discussed. She didn't want to know. Not until Julian said something that made her want to hit him right then and there.
“We’ll talk again another time. I have something urgent to take care of.”
Julian left without answering Elara's earlier question. That only made her suspect him even more.