Chapter 72 The cage
Chapter 72: The Gilded Cage (Elena’s POV)
The apartment Julian got for us was beautiful. It had floor-to-ceiling windows, soft grey carpets, and a kitchen that looked like it belonged in a magazine. But every time I heard the front door lock behind Julian, I felt like the air in the room was getting thinner.
"You're staring at your food again, Elena," Julian said.
I looked up from my plate of pasta. We were sitting in the dining area, the city lights twinkling outside, but all I could focus on was the way Julian was holding his fork—tight, like he was ready to stab something.
"I’m just not very hungry," I said, putting my fork down. "My leg is aching a bit today."
Julian’s expression softened instantly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I told you to stay off it. Why did you go to the school library today? Maya told me you were there for nearly an hour."
My heart against my ribs. I looked at Maya, who was sitting on the sofa across from us, scrolling through her phone. She didn't even look up, but I saw her thumb pause for a second.
"I had to return some books, Julian. And I wanted to check my grades," I lied. The words felt like lead in my mouth.
"Maya said you were talking to Liam," Julian said. He spoke calmly, but he leaned forward, encroaching on my space. "Is that true? After everything we discussed?"
"He approached me! I didn't seek him out," I said, my voice rising slightly. "He was asking about the scholarship. I told him to leave me alone."
Julian reached across the table and took my hand. His grip was firm—just a little too firm. "Elena, I’m doing all of this to protect you. The private nurses for your mom, this apartment, the security... it all costs a lot of money. I don't mind paying it because I love you. But I can't have you running back to the person who put you in this position. It makes me feel like you don't appreciate what I’m doing."
"I do appreciate it, Julian. I really do," I whispered. I felt a tear prick the corner of my eye. "I just... I feel like I can't even breathe without someone reporting back to you."
"That’s because we care about you!" Maya chimed in from the sofa. She finally looked up, her face a mask of concern. "Elena, you’re so vulnerable right now. Liam is a manipulator. He’s probably just trying to get you to drop the charges against Jax. Julian is the only one keeping you safe."
I looked at Maya. My best friend. I wanted to be mad at her for telling him about the library, but I brushed the thought away. She was probably just scared for me. She had seen how much I cried over Liam; she was just trying to make sure I didn't get hurt again. Maya wasn't the type to be snakey—she was just being overprotective, just like Julian.
"I'm going to bed," I said, pulling my hand out of Julian's grip.
"Wait," Julian said. "The bonfire is this Friday. At the quarry. I want us to go."
"The quarry? But the whole school will be there. Liam, Jax, Chloe... I don't want to see them."
"That’s exactly why we’re going," Julian said, a small, cold smile touching his lips. "We’re going to show them that you’ve moved on. That you aren't the maid’s daughter in the basement anymore. You’re with me. And besides, I have a surprise for you there."
"A surprise?"
"You'll see. Just trust me, Elena. Have I ever led you wrong?"
I didn't answer. I grabbed my cane and stood up, making my way to the bedroom. As I closed the door, I heard them whispering in the living room. I couldn't make out the words, but the tone made the hair on my arms stand up.
I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out my phone. I saw the text from Liam.
I saw your arm today. I’m not going away, Elena. I don't care if you hate me. I’m not letting him do to you what I let Jax do. I’m watching.
I wanted to delete it. I wanted to block him and never think about him again. But then I looked at the faint yellowing bruise on my forearm where Julian had grabbed me in the library.
Liam was an arrogant, rich jerk who didn't believe me when it mattered. He had broken my heart into a million pieces. But in all the time I spent in his house, even when he was yelling at me, I never felt afraid of him. Not like this.
With Julian, everything was perfect on the surface, but underneath, there was a current of something dark.
I heard the bedroom door open. Julian walked in, his face back to that "perfect boyfriend" look. He sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest.
"I’m sorry I got snappy at dinner," he whispered into my hair. "I just worry about you so much. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Elena. I’d do anything to keep you."
"I know," I said, staring at the wall.
"You're going to love the surprise at the quarry," he continued. "It’s going to change everything. No more Vances. No more worrying about the future. Just us."
He kissed my temple and got up to go to the bathroom. My phone buzzed in my hand. It was a notification from a social media app—a photo Maya had just posted. It was a picture of her and Julian in the kitchen, laughing, with the caption: Keeping our girl safe. Family over everything.
I looked at the photo. I felt a weird twinge in my chest seeing them so close, but I shook it off. Maya was just being a good friend to both of us. She was probably just happy that I was finally "safe." She wouldn't have a hidden motive—not Maya. She’s been by my side through everything.
I lay down and closed my eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. I felt like a prize being fought over by people who didn't actually care about my heart—only about who got to keep me.
Friday. The quarry.
I had a feeling that by the time the bonfire died down, someone’s world was going to be in ashes. I just hoped it wasn't mine