Chapter 158
Elena's POV
I leaned against the railing, the cold metal biting through my sleeves, letting myself think about what I'd just done.
You said no to her.
But the victory felt hollow. Because the truth was, I hadn't always been brave enough to stand up. Not when it mattered most.
Whenever I thought about Damon and his friends bullying Caleb. And I just stood there. Watching. The memory made my stomach turn. I pressed my palms against the railing, my nails scraping metal.
"God," I whispered. "I was awful."
The wind picked up, cold and sharp, and I closed my eyes against it.
No wonder he doesn't trust you. No wonder he makes you promise again and again that you won't leave.
My phone buzzed.
It was Caleb.
Coming home early. Need to tell you something. Be there in 20.
---
When I said goodbye to Lila and returned to the manor, Caleb was already in the living room, taking off his jacket. He looked tired—more than usual—and there was a tension in his shoulders that hadn't been there this morning.
"Hey," I said softly.
He turned. His eyes swept over me, and some of the tightness in his expression eased. "You okay?"
"Yeah." I set my bag down. "What did you need to tell me?"
He was quiet for a moment, watching me. Then: "I'm flying out to Aetheria tomorrow. AI smart home competition. I'll be gone a few days."
My stomach dropped. "Tomorrow?"
He nodded. "Last minute notice."
"Is your father making things difficult for you?" I said.
"Perhaps." Caleb's jaw tightened. "We haven't ventured into the smart home sector yet."
I crossed to him without thinking, reaching for his hand. His fingers were cool, tense. "Refuse him."
"Don't worry, we'll win." He smiled.
I squeezed his hand.
"My team is excellent. They can handle this. But..." He paused.
"What?"
He looked down at our joined hands, then back up at me. Something vulnerable flickered in his gaze. "Leaving for the first time feels like punishment."
"Leaving what?"
"You."
The word hit me square in the chest.
Before I could respond, he pulled me closer, his hand sliding to the back of my neck. "For safety, after I leave, go stay at that apartment with your mother."
"Caleb—"
"Listen to me."
Looking at his gaze fixed on me, full of concern. I couldn't refuse. "Okay."
Then he bent and kissed me—slow, deliberate, like he was memorizing the shape of my mouth.
When he pulled back, his thumb traced my lower lip.
"I need to tell you something." I paused for a moment. "Isabella called me this afternoon."
His eyes sharpened. "What did she say?"
"She wanted me to go see Damon." I clearly noticed his expression darken.
"She said Damon won't eat. That he's—" I stopped, shame curling in my stomach. "She tried to guilt me. Said he protected me all those years."
"And?"
"I told her no." I met his gaze. "I told her what you all did to you was worse than anything Damon's going through now."
Caleb went completely still.
"I know it's not my place to—" I started.
"Elena." He cupped my face in both hands. "Look at me."
I did.
"You don't go near him," Caleb said quietly. Firmly. "Not while I'm gone. Not ever, unless I'm with you. Understood?"
"Why would I—"
"Because you have a good heart." His thumb brushed my cheekbone. "He knows it. He'll use it."
I wanted to argue. To say I was stronger than that.
But I had wavered when Isabella begged.
"Okay," I whispered. "I won't go."
Caleb exhaled slowly. Then he kissed my forehead and pulled me into his chest.
We stood there for a long time, wrapped around each other, and I tried not to think about how empty this place would feel when he left.
---
That night, I couldn't sleep.
Caleb had his arm locked around my waist, his breath warm against my neck, but my mind wouldn't shut off.
He's leaving for a few days.
It wasn't long. Rationally, I knew that.
But it felt like forever.
"Stop thinking so loud," Caleb murmured against my hair.
I huffed a small laugh. "Sorry."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just—" I turned in his arms to face him. Even in the darkness, I could see the outline of his face, the glint of his eyes. "I'm going to miss you."
His hand came up to cradle the back of my head. "I'll call you every night."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
I pressed my forehead to his. "I wish you didn't have to go."
"Me too."
We lay there in silence, tangled together.
---
The next morning came too quickly.
I woke to the sound of movement downstairs—low voices, footsteps, the faint hum of a car engine idling outside.
He's leaving.
I threw the blankets off and rushed to get dressed, my hands clumsy with sleep and panic. By the time I made it downstairs, Caleb was already at the door.
Hector stood beside him, tablet in hand, rattling off last-minute details about the trip.
Caleb's eyes lifted when he heard me on the stairs.
"You're up," he said quietly.
"I didn't want you to leave without—" I stopped at the bottom step, suddenly unsure. "Without saying goodbye."
Hector glanced between us, then cleared his throat. "I'll... wait in the car."
He slipped out, leaving us alone.
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch light. "Remember what you promised me last night."
"Caleb." I caught his hand. "I'll be fine."
His jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought he might argue. Instead, he leaned down and pressed his forehead to mine.
"I don't want to go," he murmured.
My throat tightened. "I know."
He pulled back, his thumb brushing across my cheek. "I'll call you tonight."
"Okay."
He hesitated, then bent and kissed my forehead—soft, lingering, achingly gentle.
When he pulled away, his expression had shuttered again.
He walked out without looking back.
I stood in the doorway and watched the car pull away, the morning mist swallowing it whole.