Chapter 61
Elena's POV
"It was just a kiss."
She quieted for a second. Then reached over and took my hand. "I see. So why don't you look very happy about it?"
I pulled my hand back. "Because I just broke up with Damon yesterday. And now I'm—I'm doing this."
She shifted, sitting cross-legged facing me. "Elena, you didn't cheat. You and Damon are over. You said it yourself—he chose Scarlett. He threw your suitcase on the ground and told you to get lost. You don't owe him anything."
I swallowed hard. "It's not about owing. It's about—"
"About what? Having feelings for someone else?" Her voice softened. "That's not a crime."
I didn't respond.
She sighed. "Listen. I'm going to say something you might not want to hear."
"Caleb is good to you."
I stared at her.
"He really is," she insisted. "I've been watching. He's smart. Capable. And the way he looks at you—like you're the only person in the room. Damon never did that."
"Damon—"
"Damon treated you like furniture. Nice, useful furniture he could rearrange whenever he wanted." She leaned forward. "Caleb treats you like a person."
My throat tightened.
"And honestly," she raised an eyebrow, "Caleb's more of a man than Ethan."
"What? I thought you liked Ethan."
It came out sharper than I intended, but I regretted it immediately.
She narrowed her eyes. Then her mouth slowly curved into a smile.
"Oh. You're jealous."
"I'm not—"
"You are." She looked delighted. "You just got possessive about Caleb. You thought I was interested in him."
"That's not—"
I looked away, embarrassed.
She lay down next to me, turning on her side to face me. After a moment of silence, her tone became more serious.
"You told me his situation wasn't easy," she said. "He's the Vance family's illegitimate son. Treated as a disgrace since childhood. Unwanted."
"But that's exactly why you need to be fair to him," Lila continued. "You and Damon have already made such a mess. What's left to worry about? The engagement? The family?"
She sat up, looking at me seriously.
"The Vance family has been unfair to him enough. You've seen how they treated him growing up." She paused. "So you—you'd better be fair to him. Don't let him think you're just like them."
I stared at the ceiling, my throat tight.
"I don't know what being fair means," I said quietly.
"Then start with honesty," Lila said. "Be honest with him. Be honest with yourself." She lay back down next to me. "Do you like him?"
I closed my eyes.
"I don't know," I said. "I don't know what liking someone means. I thought I liked Damon, but that wasn't it at all. I don't know what real liking should feel like."
"Then how do you feel when you're with Caleb?"
I thought about it.
"Safe," I said. "And... scared."
"Scared of what?"
"Scared it's not real. Scared he's just..." I stopped, not knowing how to say it.
Lila waited quietly.
"Damon said," I finally spoke, "Caleb's only getting close to me to get revenge on him."
Lila was silent for a moment.
"Do you believe that?" she asked.
"I don't know."
"Then what does your heart say? Forget what Damon said, forget what everyone says. What do you think?"
I thought about how Caleb rescued me in the snowstorm. How he stayed with me when I was sad. How he looked tonight after he kissed me—that struggle and pain in his eyes.
"I think..." my voice was soft, "he wouldn't do that."
Lila smiled. "Then that's enough."
She patted my shoulder, then yawned.
"Alright, I'm exhausted. Get some sleep." She headed toward the bathroom. "But tomorrow morning, you have to tell me the full version. Every detail. Don't leave anything out."
I didn't answer.
But I knew I wouldn't sleep.
Because my head was full of his voice.
---
5:00 AM
I couldn't do it.
I packed quietly in the dark. Lila didn't stir. I'd text her later. Apologize later.
Right now, I just needed to leave.
I dragged my suitcase to the door, checked the hallway—empty—and slipped out.
The elevator was at the end of the hall. Fifteen steps. I could make it.
Ten steps.
Five steps.
I reached for the button—
"Going somewhere?"
I froze.
Caleb was leaning against the wall next to the elevator, arms crossed. His gaze swept from my messy hair to the suitcase in my hand.
The corner of his mouth lifted. Not a smile. Something colder.
"Interesting," he said. "I thought you'd at least wait until sunrise."
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"Trying to run?" He left the wall, closing the distance.
"I just need some space—"
"Bullshit."
He reached out and took the suitcase from my hand. I didn't resist.
"You're scared," he said flatly.
"I'm not—"
"You are." He took another step closer. Close enough that I could smell that cold scent on him, sharper than usual. "And I get it. Last night was—" He stopped. His jaw tightened. "But running won't change anything."
I couldn't look at him.
"Elena." He lowered his voice. "Look at me."
I did. Then immediately regretted it.
His gaze was too focused. Too intent. Like he could see through every excuse I was building.
"Who are you running from?" he asked quietly. "Me? Or yourself?"
I didn't answer.
He exhaled and shook his head. "Come on."
The underground parking garage was cold and dark. Our footsteps echoed. Caleb led me to his SUV, opened the trunk, and loaded my bag inside.
Then he opened the passenger door.
I looked at it. Then at him.
"Get in," he said.
I didn't move.
His jaw tightened. "Elena."
"I can sit in the back."
"No."
"I'm tired. I want to sleep."
We stared at each other.
Finally, I slid into the back seat.
He closed the door, walked around to the driver's side, and got in. The engine rumbled to life. He cranked up the heat, adjusted the mirrors.
We drove in silence. The city was still dark, with only the occasional early shift truck passing by. I stared out the window, watching the snow banks blur past.
"You didn't sleep." His voice broke the silence.
I lifted my eyes. He wasn't looking at me. Eyes on the road.
"I slept fine."
"Liar."
I bit the inside of my cheek.
"Elena." The way he said my name was a warning. "I can feel it."
The car slowed at a red light.
"I didn't sleep either," he said.
I held my breath, didn't respond. Pretended to be asleep to escape.