Chapter 55
Elena's POV
He glanced up from adjusting the couch pillows, something unreadable flickering in his expression. Then his mouth curved—barely, but enough to make my pulse stutter.
"You inviting me to share your bed?"
Heat flooded my face. My heart slammed against my ribs. I hadn't meant—I couldn't have possibly—
"I meant we could switch!" The words tumbled out in a rush. "You sleep in the bed, I take the couch!"
His gaze held mine for three endless seconds. That focused, unwavering attention that made it impossible to breathe. Then he looked away, his jaw tight.
"No need."
Before I could respond, he added quietly, "But if you're afraid to sleep alone..." He paused, letting the silence stretch.
The implication hung in the air between us, dangerous and intoxicating.
I fled to the bedroom.
---
Half an hour later, I still couldn't sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his expression. Heard his voice.
I rolled over for the hundredth time, staring at the ceiling.
The apartment had gone silent. No light under the door anymore.
I waited ten more minutes to be sure, then slipped out of bed.
The guest room closet had yielded a spare cashmere throw. I grabbed it, padding barefoot across the carpet, heart hammering at my own audacity.
The living room was dark except for the ambient glow from outside. It took my eyes a moment to adjust, and then I saw him.
Caleb lay on his side on the couch, one leg bent awkwardly to fit the too-short space, his other arm hanging off the edge. In sleep, the harsh lines of his face had softened. No cold distance. No careful walls.
Just him. Vulnerable in a way he'd never allow while conscious.
My chest ached.
I moved closer, unfolding the blanket as quietly as possible. Draped it over him with hands that barely trembled. His breathing stayed even, deep. Safe.
I started to pull back.
His fingers closed around my wrist.
I froze. My pulse spiked so hard I felt dizzy. His grip was loose but firm, his palm scorching against my perpetually cold skin. He didn't wake—just made a low sound in his throat and held on, his body instinctively seeking the coolness I brought.
He's asleep, I reminded myself. He doesn't know what he's doing.
After a few seconds, his fingers relaxed. Released me. I stood there a moment longer, watching his chest rise and fall.
"Goodnight," I whispered.
---
Damon's POV
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. I scrubbed a hand over my face, exhaustion dragging at my bones.
Scarlett whimpered in her sleep, the pain meds wearing off. The clock showed 4 AM. My shirt was wrinkled, my hair a mess. Every time I tried to close my eyes, her whimpers would jolt me awake.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
I'd pictured this weekend differently. I thought everything would go smoothly.
Instead, Elena had looked at me with something worse than anger. Disappointment. Like she'd finally stopped believing in me.
"Is there anything I could say that would make you believe me over her?"
The question haunted me. Because I hadn't answered. Couldn't answer.
Scarlett shifted, moaning softly. The doctor said she'd been lucky—compound fracture, but clean. With our healing abilities, she'd recover in about a week.
She looked so small in that hospital bed, so fragile. She didn't look like someone who'd frame Elena.
My jaw clenched. I forced myself to think logically.
Fact one: Elena never lied. In twenty-plus years, she'd been pathologically honest.
Fact two: Scarlett had no reason to throw herself down a mountain. The injury was real. The pain was real.
I should check the surveillance footage. The resort had cameras everywhere for liability. It would show exactly what happened.
---
7:00 AM
I jerked awake to find Scarlett watching me, her eyes red-rimmed but alert.
"Hey." I straightened in the chair, my neck screaming from the angle. "How're you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck." She attempted a weak smile.
Relief flooded through me. "I'm arranging a helicopter transfer. We'll get you to Saint-Helier Central Hospital. Better facilities—"
"You don't have to—"
"I want to." I took her hand carefully. "I'll set you up with round-the-clock nursing care there. Whatever you need."
Her expression flickered. "Will you come with me?"
"I need to handle some resort business." The lie came easily. "But you'll be taken care of. I promise."
She nodded slowly, but something in her eyes made me uneasy.
I kissed her forehead and stepped out to make the calls.
---
9:15 AM - Security Office
The head of resort security practically snapped to attention when I walked in.
"Mr. Vance. How can I help you?"
"I need to review surveillance footage from yesterday. A-Zone, around 2 PM."
The man's expression shifted subtly. "Ah. Mr. Caleb Vance was just here for the same footage."
My blood turned to ice.
"What?"
"About half an hour ago. He brought a young lady with him." The security chief gestured vaguely. "They're still in the monitoring room."
The words hit me like a physical blow. Caleb. Here. Reviewing the footage.
"Take me there. Now."
As I followed the security chief down the hallway, my mind raced.
Caleb had no reason to be here unless Elena had reached out to him.
No. That was impossible.
---
Elena's POV
The room smelled like stale coffee and electronics. Multiple screens covered the wall, showing live feeds from across the resort. Caleb had pulled up a workstation in the corner, his fingers moving across the keyboard with practiced efficiency.
I sat beside him, close enough that our shoulders almost touched. He'd been silent since we arrived, focused entirely on finding the right footage.
Coming here was my request. I didn't want to bear false accusations. I needed to find proof that she framed me.
"Here." His voice was low. "A-Zone, camera seven. Timeline matches."
The screen showed the beginner slope in grainy color. Tiny figures moved across the snow—me in my blue jacket, Scarlett in red.
My heart pounded. This was it. Proof.
Caleb's hand hovered over the play button. "You ready?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
He clicked.
The footage began to play. I watched myself standing beside Scarlett, saw her wobble, saw—
The door opened suddenly behind us.
We both turned.