Chapter 23

Elena's POV

I hauled the last of my essential belongings into my father's room, ignoring the shooting pain in my lower back. Three trips up and down the stairs had left me breathless, but the small pile of clothes, textbooks, and toiletries represented my new reality.

"What do you think you're doing?" Elaine's sharp voice cut through the quiet. She stood in the doorway, arms crossed, lips pursed in disapproval.

"Moving in," I replied simply, not bothering to look at her as I arranged my laptop on the small desk in the corner.

"This isn't a dormitory," she snapped. "Your father's condition is already disrupting this household. I won't have you turning his room into some college crash pad."

I finally turned to face her. "I'm not leaving him alone with you."

"You have classes, jobs. You can't possibly provide the care he needs."

"Watch me."

Her eyes narrowed. "You'll fail. Just like you fail at everything else."

"Get out of his room," I said quietly.

My father stirred slightly in his bed, mumbling something incoherent.

Elaine glanced at him with thinly veiled disgust before looking back at me. "When this all falls apart—and it will—don't come crying to me."

After she left, I sat on the edge of my father's bed, gently straightening his blanket. He looked so small now, so fragile compared to the larger-than-life figure from my childhood.

"I'm here, Dad," I whispered, squeezing his hand. "Just like I promised Mom."

My mother's voice echoed in my memory: *"Promise me you'll look after him if anything happens to me, Elena. He's stronger with you than without you."*

I'd made that promise when I was only twelve, not understanding what it would eventually mean. Now, six years later, I was the only thing standing between my father and complete abandonment.

The doctors had sent him home with a thick folder of care instructions, medication schedules, physical therapy exercises, and warning signs that would necessitate immediate medical attention. I'd spent the past two days memorizing all of it, determined not to fail.

My phone buzzed with a text from Zoe: *Done packing up your dorm stuff. Maya's car is loaded. Coming over in 20.*

I smiled despite my exhaustion. After deciding to move back home permanently, I'd dreaded the thought of facing the dorm room again—with all its memories of Olivia and my old life. Zoe and Maya had immediately volunteered to pack everything for me.

True to their word, my friends arrived with two carloads of my possessions. Elaine scowled from the living room as we carried everything in, but said nothing.

"This is the last of it," Maya announced, setting down a box labeled 'Books & Journals'. "Where do you want it?"

"Just leave it in the hallway for now," I replied. "I'll sort through everything later."

Zoe grabbed my arm, pulling me into the kitchen away from Elaine's glare. "Listen, we need to get you out of this house tonight. Just for a few hours."

"I can't leave Dad alone with—"

"Maya brought something for that." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "It's a protection charm. Nothing bad can happen to your father while it's active. Five hours guaranteed."

I glanced skeptically at Maya, who nodded solemnly.

"It's legitimate," she assured me. "My grandmother taught me. Besides, we'll only be gone for a couple hours. You need a break, Elena. One night out before you're stuck here playing nurse 24/7."

I hesitated. "Where would we even go?"

Zoe's face broke into a mischievous grin. "That new place downtown. And... I want you to meet someone."

"Meet someone?" I repeated, immediately suspicious. "Zoe, I'm not interested in being set up right now."

"It's not like that," she insisted. "Just... trust me, okay? Eight o'clock. Wear something nice."

---

Bar was packed despite it being a weeknight. The space was bathed in soft blue lighting, giving everything an ethereal quality. My simple black dress felt simultaneously over and underdressed compared to the diverse crowd.

"There he is," Zoe suddenly squealed, grabbing my arm so tightly I winced.

Before I could ask who she meant, I watched her dart through the crowd toward a tall figure at the bar. My breath caught as she threw her arms around him and they exchanged a passionate kiss.

Axton?

I blinked, certain I must be mistaken. But there was no denying the familiar broad shoulders and close-cropped hair of Dominic's friend. The same man who'd checked on me after the Silver Fang incident, who'd watched me from the shadows to ensure I got home safely.

They approached hand in hand.

"My boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" I turned to Axton, my protective instincts flaring. "That's quite a commitment."

"It's recent," he admitted, meeting my gaze steadily. "But serious."

I stepped closer to him, lowering my voice so only he could hear. "She's my best friend. If you hurt her—"

"I won't," he interrupted quietly. "I give you my word."

Something in his tone—so solemn, so final—made me believe him. I nodded once, accepting his promise.

"So are we getting drinks or what?" Zoe asked, blissfully unaware of our exchange.

As Axton turned to flag down a bartender, my attention drifted across the room. The crowd parted momentarily, giving me a clear view of a couple at the opposite end of the bar.

My heart stopped.

Olivia was leaning against the counter, her red dress cut dangerously low, laughing at something the man beside her had said. Her hand rested possessively on his arm as she tilted her head, exposing the long line of her neck in a gesture I recognized as deliberate seduction.

And the man she was so obviously flirting with?

Dominic Lucchesi.