Chapter 154
Elena's POV
I blinked. He shifted me in his lap so I faced him fully, his hands firm on my waist.
"You're not small," he said. "You're strong."
I shook my head. "I'm not—"
"The lake." His voice dropped. "You remember?"
My breath caught. "That was different. I didn't—"
"You pulled me out of the water. You dragged me to shore even though I was twice your size." His eyes locked on mine. "You think that's not strength?"
My throat tightened. "I was terrified. My brain just... shut off. I didn't think, I just moved. And afterward—" I swallowed. "I could barely breathe. I was sick for days."
"But you did it."
"It felt like God gave me one burst of power. Just enough to save you." I managed a weak smile. "Then He took it back."
Caleb's hand came up to cup my face. "Or maybe you've always had it. You just haven't needed it yet."
I wanted to believe him. But the gap between us felt too wide.
"When you helped with my resume. Why didn't you just invite me then?" The question tumbled out before I could stop it.
His expression shuttered. "You're my fiancée now. Work is your choice."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
I frowned. "When did you start having feelings for me?"
He leaned forward, his mouth dropping toward mine.
I twisted away at the last second. His lips brushed my jaw instead.
"Answer the question, Caleb."
"No."
"Hector said you had pictures of me." I grabbed his face, forcing him to look at me. "Is that true?"
Something flickered in his eyes. Just for a second. Then it was gone.
"Does it matter?" he asked.
"Yes. Because I need to know—" Heat flooded my cheeks. "I need to know if you wanted me before, or if I'm just... convenient now."
His jaw tightened. "You think you're convenient?"
"I don't know what I am to you. You don't tell me anything."
He stared at me for a long moment. Then his hands slid up to frame my face, his thumbs brushing my cheekbones.
"You've been in my head for years," he said quietly. "You think I didn't notice you? That I didn't—"
The door banged open.
"Oh, shit." Hector stood in the doorway, one hand flying up to cover his eyes. "I didn't see anything. Totally blind. Completely—"
I scrambled off Caleb's lap so fast I nearly tripped.
"I thought you were taking Lila home!" I said, my voice too high.
"I did. Then I came back." Hector peeked through his fingers. "Should I leave again, or—"
"No need," Caleb said flatly. "What is it?"
Hector lowered his hand, grinning. "Actually, I'm planning to move out. Tonight."
I blinked. "What? Now?"
"Yeah." He shrugged. "I've overstayed my welcome."
"Hector, you don't have to—"
"I'm not trying to be a third wheel," Hector muttered, heading toward the guest room. "I'll grab my stuff."
"He's not really leaving, is he?"
"On the way to the bar earlier, he already told me he was going. He was only staying here temporarily for a few days."
"I'm going to say goodbye to him." I walked toward Hector's room.
---
When I reached the guest room, he'd already packed—just a backpack, nothing more.
"It's late. Why don't you wait until tomorrow?"
"Elena." He straightened, slinging the bag over his shoulder. "I've been planning this. Earlier just gave me an excuse."
"But—"
"He's different now." Hector's voice softened. "Since you showed up. You know that?"
I shook my head.
"He used to have this... edge. Like he was always two seconds from ripping someone's throat out." Hector zipped the bag. "But around you, he's softer. More human."
My throat ached.
He looked at me one last time. "Take care of him, okay? He won't ask you to. But he needs it."
"I will. I promise."
Then he was gone.
---
After the door closed, I stood in the hallway for a long time. The apartment suddenly felt quieter.
Caleb appeared beside me, his hand settling on my waist. "He'll be fine."
"I know." I leaned into him. "I just didn't expect—"
"He's been looking for his own place." Caleb's thumb traced circles against my hip. "This was always temporary."
I nodded.
"Go shower," he said. "I have a few more emails to finish."
I headed to the guest bathroom, turning the water as hot as I could stand. Steam filled the room as I stood under the spray, remembering what Hector had said about Caleb keeping pictures of me.
How long? Since when?
And the pictures—did he really have them? Where did he get them?
I dried off slowly, pulling on the pink pajamas.
I dried my hair, taking my time. Then I grabbed my pillow from the guest bed.
I didn't let myself think about it. I just walked.
When I reached the guest bedroom door, the master bedroom door opened.
Caleb stood there, hair damp, wearing a black T-shirt and sweatpants. He looked at me. I looked at him.
Neither of us spoke.
His eyes dropped to the pillow in my arms. Then back to my face.
"Come here," he said.
"We should sleep separately," I said carefully.
"I won't do anything."
I believed him, like some gravitational force pulling me toward him. Then we disappeared behind the door.
---
I woke to warmth—the kind that came from another body pressed against mine, solid and real.
For a moment I just lay there, eyes closed, letting myself feel it. His weight. The security of being held like this, as if he was afraid I'd disappear if he let go.
"You awake?" His voice came rough with sleep, vibrating against my shoulder blade.
"Yeah," I whispered.
His arm tightened fractionally. "Stay a bit longer."
I should've pulled away, reminded him we both had things to do. But instead I found myself sinking back into him, my fingers curling over his forearm. "Okay."
We stayed like that for several minutes, neither of us speaking, just existing in the quiet morning light.
Eventually he shifted, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. "I need to get ready for work."
"I know."
But he didn't move right away. I could feel the reluctance in every line of his body, the way he was forcing himself to let go.