Chapter 205

　　Fern's Perspective 　　My heart skipped a beat, and my vision blurred. A thousand thoughts rushed through my mind, but none of them stuck. First, I was shocked. Then, fear gripped me. And finally—anger. 　　It was almost surreal that my past, especially with Giovanni, was being casually dragged into the open today. The anonymity I'd worked so hard to maintain had been shattered by an uninvited guest. 　　"How did you... know?" I finally asked, panic evident in my voice. My heart pounded, as though a vice had tightened around my chest, making it hard to breathe. 　　Elena's smile remained as cold as ever, her gaze passing through me, as though she could see every secret I'd buried. "It's simple, Ms. Finn. Giovanni's past isn't as easily hidden as you think. I found out about your relationship with him, and I know you faked your death to escape him," she said softly, each word striking me like a heavy stone. "You thought you did a good job of covering it up, but you were wrong." 　　A sudden wav