Chapter 10 – Unspoken Cracks
The sterile scent of disinfectant rushed back into Elina's lungs as she stepped into the hospital corridor, Taylor close beside her. The rhythm of her heels echoed with each anxious step. Her heart raced, not only from the weight of her brother's illness but from the confusing firestorm burning within her.
Taylor walked quietly, his presence calm — like a familiar song from the past.
They stopped outside the ICU doors.
Elina turned to him. "You didn't have to come."
Taylor gave her that soft smile again — the one she remembered from summer days and teenage secrets. "You'd have done the same for me, Elina. And maybe…" his eyes held something unspoken, "…I just needed to see you again."
Before she could reply, the doctor emerged from the double doors, clipboard in hand, face drawn.
"Elina Gilbert?"
She nodded, pulse spiking.
"Your brother is stable for now. Still on the ventilator. But…" he paused, "there's a degenerative nerve pattern. We suspect it's genetic. Long term, he'll need a lot of care."
Her knees nearly gave way. Taylor stepped in, catching her gently by the elbow.
Elina looked at the floor, then at the doctor. "Can I stay with him tonight?"
The doctor shook his head. "We have enough staff. You should rest. Visit tomorrow."
As they left the room in silence, Elina suddenly stopped by the elevator. Damon was leaning against the opposite wall — suit jacket open, shirt sleeves rolled, tension in every inch of his jaw.
"Elina," he called.
Taylor's grip on her arm tightened just slightly.
Elina turned slowly, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I called the hospital," Damon said. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."
His voice was low… but his eyes were burning. Not with pity — with something darker.
"I'm fine," she said, but her voice trembled.
Damon stepped closer. "I don't like being ignored."
Taylor moved protectively beside her.
Damon's gaze flicked toward him. "Friend?"
"Old friend," Taylor replied coolly.
"Clearly not that old if he's still lingering," Damon muttered under his breath, then turned back to Elina. "You should come home. Now."
"I—" she hesitated.
"It's in the contract, remember?" he added softly. Then his voice dropped lower, just for her: "You belong in my bed, not on hospital benches."
The words made her chest flutter. She hated how easily he could melt her with a whisper.
But Taylor caught the shift in her eyes.
"Elina," Taylor said, brushing her hand gently, "whatever you choose, just know… I'm here. No contracts. No rules. Just… me."
She looked between them, overwhelmed.
"I… I need some air," she whispered.
Damon's jaw flexed, but he stepped aside.
Elina walked to the car in silence, heart pounding.
---
Back at the penthouse, Elina moved quietly, avoiding Damon. Her heart was in chaos.
She was falling for him. But every time she let herself breathe around him… she remembered:
It's just a contract.
He's not yours.
You're not his.
She sat at the window with a glass of water, staring out into the velvet night.
Suddenly, Damon's phone — forgotten on the couch — buzzed.
A name flashed on the screen: Selena.
Her stomach dropped.
Before she could move, Damon walked in, picked it up, glanced at it… and silenced the call.
"I'm leaving for a bit," he said without meeting her eyes.
"Her?" Elina's voice cracked.
He paused. "It's nothing."
"You're going anyway."
"I have to. Stay here."
And with that, he was gone.
---
Damon's penthouse downtown was dark when he walked in — but the lights flickered on, and there she was.
Selena. Red lips. Black silk dress. Danger in heels.
"Damon," she purred, stepping into his space. "You never answered. So I thought I'd wait."
"I don't have time for this," he muttered.
She tilted her head, letting her hand trail down his chest. "Come on… don't you miss this?"
Her fingers reached his collar.
Her lips grazed his jaw.
She leaned in for a kiss…
But Damon didn't move.
Didn't kiss back.
Didn't blink.
Because all he could think of… was Elina.
The girl who wore oversized sweaters and burned toast.
The girl who had cried in his arms.
The girl who looked at him like he mattered.
And that girl wasn't playing games.
Selena stepped back, annoyed. "Wow. You've changed."
"No," he said, voice cold now. "I've just outgrown your type."
Selena narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you're falling for that charity case. That poor little thing you're 'housing'?"
Damon's expression darkened. "She's worth more than every diamond you've ever begged for."
Selena's mouth opened in shock.
"You should leave," he added.
Selena huffed, grabbing her coat. "She'll never fit your world, Damon."
"She already fits mine," he said.
She slammed the door on her way out.
---
Meanwhile, Elina curled up in bed, unable to sleep.
Taylor's words haunted her.
"No contracts. No rules. Just me."
And yet… Damon's voice had sunk deeper.
"You belong in my bed."
"You're mine."
Her phone buzzed. A message from Taylor.
Whenever you need me, I
'm here. Even if you fall for the wrong man.
She stared at the message for a long time… before slowly turning the phone face-down.
---
End of Chapter 10