Chapter 77 The breaking point
Chapter 77: The Breaking Point (Elena’s POV)
The private clinic was way too quiet. It didn't smell like a normal hospital; it smelled like expensive candles and floor wax. Julian held my hand as we walked down the long, white hallway toward Room 402. Every time I lagged behind because of my leg, he gave my hand a sharp tug.
"Almost there," he said. His voice was cheerful, but he didn't look at me.
When we entered the room, my mom was sitting up in bed. She looked better physically—her color was back, and she wasn't hooked up to as many machines—but her eyes were wide and restless. When she saw me, she let out a sob, but when her eyes shifted to Julian standing behind me, she froze.
"Mom," I whispered, leaning over to hug her. "How are you feeling?"
"Elena," she breathed, gripping my arms. Her hands were cold. "I’m... I’m okay. The doctors are very nice."
Julian stepped forward and patted her foot through the blanket. "Only the best for you, Mrs. Obi. I made sure of it."
My mom didn't smile at him. She didn't even thank him. Instead, she looked at me, her eyes darting back to Julian to make sure he wasn't looking too closely. She pulled me down so my ear was near her mouth.
"Elena," she whispered, her voice trembling. "The nurses... they don't let me have my phone. They say it’s part of the 'quiet' recovery. And Julian... he’s here every day. Even when you aren't. He talks about the 'move' like it’s a secret. I don't like his eyes, Elena. There’s something wrong with his eyes."
I pulled back, trying to laugh it off. "Mom, you’re just tired. He’s the one who paid for all of this. He’s the reason you’re in this nice bed."
"Money isn't everything," she hissed, her grip tightening on my wrist. "He looks at you like you’re something he bought at the market. Please, Elena. Just be careful."
"Okay, that’s enough visiting for today," Julian said, his voice cutting through the room. He wasn't smiling anymore. He reached over and peeled my mom’s hand off my arm. "The doctor said she needs her rest. Too much excitement is bad for the heart."
"But I just got here!" I protested.
"We have a long drive back, Elena. Move it," Julian said. He didn't ask. He just grabbed my cane and handed it to me, then ushered me out the door. I looked back one last time, and my mom looked like she was about to scream, but the nurse stepped in front of her.
The drive home was silent. When we got back to the apartment, Julian slammed the door shut and locked it. He kicked off his shoes and went straight to the kitchen, pouring himself a drink.
"Your mom is ungrateful," he muttered. "After everything I’ve spent. She acts like I’m a criminal."
"She’s just sick, Julian. She’s confused," I said, sitting on the sofa and rubbing my aching knee.
Julian walked over and sat next to me. He didn't leave any space between us. He set his drink down and leaned in, his breath smelling like expensive bourbon. He started kissing my neck, his hands moving to the hem of my dress.
"Julian, stop," I said, pushing his chest. "I’m tired. My leg is killing me."
"I’ve been so patient, Elena," he whispered, ignored my hands. He pushed me back against the cushions, his weight pinning me down. "I’ve taken care of your bills. I’ve given you this place. I’ve protected you from Liam. Don't you think I deserve something back?"
He tried to kiss me properly, but I turned my head away. The feeling of him on top of me made my stomach turn. It didn't feel like love. It felt like he was collecting a debt.
"No," I said firmly. I used all my strength to shove him off. I sat up, breathing hard, trying to fix my dress. "We aren't even dating, Julian. We haven't even had a real conversation about what we are. I can't do this."
Julian sat back, his face turning a deep shade of red. "We aren't dating? I’m paying for your mother to stay alive! I’m paying for the food in your mouth! What do you think this is? A charity?"
"I thought you were my friend! I thought you were helping me because it was the right thing to do!"
"Nobody does anything for free, Elena! Especially not for a girl who’s still obsessed with a guy like Liam Vance!" He stood up and hovered over me, looking massive and terrifying in the small living room. "I’ve spent thousands on you. You owe me."
"I don't owe you my body!" I yelled, standing up and grabbing my cane. "I’ll find a way to pay you back. I’ll get a job, I’ll take a loan—"
"With what? You’re a cripple with no house and a dying mother," Julian sneered. The mask was completely gone now. He looked at me with pure disgust. "You think you’re so special? You’re just a project. And I’m bored of it."
He grabbed my arm—the same spot where the bruise was—and started dragging me toward the front door.
"Julian, stop! You're hurting me!"
"You want to be independent? Fine. Go be independent," he growled. He unlocked the door and threw it open. "But don't come crying to me when the hospital turns off your mom’s machines because the payments stopped. And don't think you're going back to the Vances. I’ve already made sure they hate you."
He shoved me out into the hallway. I tripped over my own cane and hit the carpeted floor hard. My shoulder screamed in pain as I landed.
"Have a nice life, Elena," Julian said. He tossed my small bag of clothes out after me. It hit the wall and burst open, my cheap t-shirts and underwear spilling onto the floor.
The door slammed shut. I heard the deadbolt click.
I sat there on the floor of the luxury hallway, staring at the wood grain of the door. I was alone. I had no money, my mom was in a facility I couldn't afford, and I had nowhere to go. I tried to stand up, but my leg buckled. I just slumped against the wall and started to sob.
I don't know how long I sat there. The hallway was empty. It was late, and the lights were dimmed. Every time a door opened elsewhere in the building, I flinched, terrified it was Julian coming back to do something worse.
I crawled over to my bag and started stuffing my clothes back in, my hands shaking so hard I could barely move. I felt so stupid. My mom had warned me. Liam had warned me. Even my own gut had warned me, but I was so desperate for help that I walked right into the trap.
I dragged myself toward the elevator, using the wall for support. I couldn't stay here. I made it down to the lobby, the security guard giving me a weird look as I limped past him, clutching my broken bag and my cane.
I stepped out onto the sidewalk. It was starting to drizzle. The street was dark, and the few cars that passed didn't slow down. I walked to the corner and sat on a concrete bench near a bus stop. I had five dollars in my pocket. That was it.
I put my head in my hands and cried until I couldn't breathe. I was done. I had lost everything.
"Elena?"
The voice was low and cautious. I didn't look up. I didn't want anyone to see me like this.
"Go away," I choked out.
A pair of clean, white sneakers appeared in my blurred vision. A hand reached out, hesitant, and touched my shoulder. I looked up, wiped my eyes, and saw him.
Liam was standing there, drenched from the rain, looking like he hadn't slept in days. He didn't have his car. He looked like he had been walking the streets searching.
"Liam?" I whispered.
He didn't say a word. He just saw the state of my bag, the red marks on my arm, and the way I was shivering. He dropped to his knees in front of the bench and pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe.
"I found you," he whispered into my hair. "I’m not letting go this time. I’ve got you."