chapter 54

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Elena sat on the edge of her bed, the folded note clutched tightly in her fingers. The word "Soon" seemed to pulse on the paper, as if it held a secret she wasn't ready to understand.

Her eyes traced the crease where she'd folded it earlier, over and over, like if she focused hard enough, the meaning would unravel itself. But it didn't.

She swallowed hard, the knot in her throat tightening with each breath. Luca was here — or at least, close enough to watch her from the shadows. That faint scent, the rustle of fabric outside her window — they were proof. But the silence? The deafening silence that stretched between them like a canyon? That was what scared her most.

Elena's mind spun with questions she didn't know how to answer. Why did he keep his distance? Why the cryptic notes instead of words? What was he waiting for? Was he afraid — or was he protecting her in the only way he could?

She rested her hand on her stomach, feeling the subtle flutter beneath her palm. The baby inside was real. Growing. A fragile life caught between them, tangled up in all the secrets and dangers she could barely comprehend.

Her thoughts drifted to the night of the party. The spiked drink, the panic, the cold grip of fear when she realized she was alone — truly alone — in that moment. And yet, somehow, Luca had found her. Silent, protective, watchful.

But now, even with him near, she felt more alone than ever.

Elena pushed herself to her feet, pacing the small room like a caged animal. The walls seemed to close in, suffocating and tight. She wanted answers. Wanted him to say something, anything. But all she had were shadows and silence.

Her phone lay on the bedside table, its screen dark and empty of messages. She hadn't dared reach out — not yet. What would she say? "I'm pregnant, and you disappeared"? Or, "I need you, but I don't know if you want me"?

No. She wasn't ready for that kind of vulnerability.

Instead, she sat down again, opening her notebook. Words poured out, messy and raw.

I'm scared.

I'm angry.

I want to scream, but no one hears me.

And yet, I keep hoping you'll come back — not with promises, but with presence.

Her pen faltered as tears spilled onto the page. She wiped them away angrily.

She couldn't afford to break down now. Not when everything was so fragile.

Outside, the rain began to fall, tapping softly against the window. A quiet symphony for the waiting.

Elena folded the notebook shut and hugged it to her chest. Maybe tomorrow, she'd find the courage to face whatever came next.

But tonight, she could only wait — for Luca, for answers, for the silent promise that whispered through the shadows.

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