Page 106 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Elena kept the soft smile on her features, trying to treat this like a diplomatic visit. “As am I. And very sorry to see you all going.”

“We’re sorry to go, too. Have you seen Nate again?”

Elena shook her head, her heart thudding against her ribs. “No. I think it may be best if we don’t see each other. We spoke very harshly with each other, and I do not wish to risk another argument.”

Victoria heaved a sigh. “Well, I can’t force you to see each other. But I do wish you’d at least say goodbye to each other.”

“I feel we have already done that,” Elena answered. “And now, I am here to say…goodbye to you.”

Her voice cracked as she spoke the last few words. Tears stung her eyes again, and she licked her lips as a distraction.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Victoria said, pulling Elena into a hug, “I’m going to miss you.”

“I will miss you also,” Elena said, a sob escaping her.

She pulled back, wiping the tears from her cheeks as Victoria offered her a lopsided smile, tears shining in her eyes, too.

“Well, I will leave you to your packing. I need to visit Maddie.”

Victoria nodded, squeezing her hand. “She’s not happy.”

“I imagine not.” Elena forced a laugh. “But I do very much want to say goodbye.”

“Okay, sweetie. Well, I wish you the best.”

“Thank you, and goodbye, Mr. Kingsley,” Elena said with a wave at the man.

He offered her a tight-lipped smile. “Goodbye, Ellie.”

She strode from their room with half of her goodbyes completed, but the knot in her stomach still remained. She glanced at Nate’s door down the hall, swallowing hard before she twisted away from it and continued down the hall to Maddie’s door.

With a knock, the door opened. A red-eyed Maddie, tears streaking her face stood at it. Without a word, she threw her arms around Ellie’s neck. “Oh, Ellie, this is terrible.”

“I’m so sorry, Maddie. It is not at all what I had hoped for, either.”

“Please, please go see Nate and work it out. You’re such a good couple. You just…had a fight.”

Elena pulled back from her. “We just don’t see eye to eye on the important things. I’m sorry, darling.”

“Oh, Ellie, please. You can still make it. You love each other. Remember the carousel and the kiss you shared there? And how excited you were when he proposed?”

The memories flitted through Elena’s mind, but she shoved them aside. She couldn’t think of that now. Their relationship was over. Nate didn’t want her now.

“It has been very difficult, but love can’t always conquer all.”

Maddie’s nose wrinkled as she frowned.

“You know, once everything settles, perhaps you could visit me. Maybe around the Christmas holiday. It’s quite lovely here with the snow.”

“Aw, I’d love to. But I don’t want to say goodbye now.”

“I’m afraid you must. But this isn’t goodbye forever. We’ll still talk via text, I promise.”

Tears streamed down Maddie’s face as she nodded and wrapped her arms around Elena’s neck again. “I’ll miss you.”

“I will miss you so much, too.”

They said their final goodbyes before Elena left her to pack. Even after finishing her task, she felt no relief. The weight of what had happened still pressed down on her shoulders.

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