Chapter 14 - Echoes of Goodbye

Elina stood on the balcony of Taylor's apartment, the evening breeze brushing against her skin as the city below glowed like a constellation. But even the lights couldn't chase away the heaviness in her chest.

Inside, Taylor watched her from a distance. He could see it — the storm behind her quiet eyes. She hadn't been the same since she left Damon's penthouse. Something within her had shattered, but she refused to let anyone see the broken pieces.

"Elina," he said gently, walking out with a blanket. "It's cold."

She offered him a faint smile. "Thanks."

They stood side by side, silence speaking louder than words for a while.

"Do you ever wonder," she finally whispered, "if some people come into our lives just to destroy everything we thought we knew?"

Taylor tilted his head. "Is that how you feel about Damon?"

"I don't know," she admitted, voice cracking. "Some nights I hate him. Other nights… I miss the way he looked at me. Like I was the only thing in his world."

Taylor's expression tightened, but he nodded. "I get it."

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

"You don't need to apologize for your feelings, Elina. I knew, even when you moved in, that your heart hadn't let go of him."

She looked away, guilt blooming in her chest. "You've always been kind to me. More than I deserve."

He took her hand, hesitating. "I won't lie, Elina. Part of me hoped you'd come to see me the way I see you. But even if you don't, I'd rather have you in my life as a friend than not at all."

Her throat tightened. "You don't have to say that."

"But I mean it," he said with a sad smile. "Just promise me something."

"What?"

"When it gets too heavy… don't carry it alone."

Elina's eyes stung. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and for the first time in days, she allowed herself to breathe.

---

That night, she lay in bed wide awake, staring at the ceiling.

No matter how hard she tried, Damon haunted her thoughts. The way his fingers brushed her skin… the sound of his voice when he called her mine. The possessiveness, the intensity, the strange gentleness that snuck past his arrogant façade.

But it was just a contract.

Wasn't it?

She rolled over, burying her face into the pillow, trying to escape the ache in her chest.

---

Two Days Later

Her phone rang.

She almost ignored it, thinking it was another call from Rose — who'd been pressuring her to talk to Damon again. But something in her gut twisted.

Hospital Name: City Hospital 

Her body went numb.

"Hello?" she answered, voice trembling.

"Miss Elina Gilbert?" the voice on the other line asked gently.

"Yes…"

"I'm… sorry. Your brother, Aaron… he didn't make it through the night."

Time stopped.

Everything in the world ceased to exist — the air, the sounds, her thoughts. Her knees gave out, and she sank to the floor, the phone still pressed against her ear.

"Miss Gilbert? Are you there?"

Her lips moved, but no words came.

Taylor came rushing into the room at the sound of her gasp. "Elina?! What happened?"

She turned to him, her face pale, lips trembling. "Aaron… he's gone."

He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she broke down, sobs racking her small frame.

---

On the other side of the city, Damon's phone buzzed as he stepped out of a tense board meeting. When he saw the hospital's name on the screen, his chest tightened.

"Is it Elina?" he asked before they could speak.

"No… it's her brother, Aaron," the doctor said quietly. "We know you were listed under his care directives and had been covering his treatments. We thought you should know."

The phone nearly slipped from his fingers.

He didn't even think. He grabbed his coat and keys, his mind racing.

Elina…

He had to see her. Even if it was the last time.

---

Back at Taylor's apartment

Elina sat silently on the couch, a hollow shell of herself. Her eyes were red, but dry now. Her voice sounded distant when she spoke.

"I didn't even get to say goodbye."

Taylor squeezed her hand. "I'll drive you to the hospital. You can at least see him. Say what you need to."

She nodded numbly.

As she stood to gather her coat, the doorbell rang.

Taylor went to answer it.

And there he was.

Damon.

Hair disheveled, eyes bloodshot, tie loosened. A man who looked like he hadn't slept since the moment she walked out of his life.

"Elina," he said softly.

She froze in place.

"I'm sorry," Damon said, voice raw. "I just found out. I needed to see you. One last time."

Taylor stiffened. "Now might not be the right—"

"It's okay," Elina said, stopping him. She turned to Damon, her voice quiet. "Why are you here, really?"

"Because I care," he said, stepping closer. "And I never should have let you go."

She loo

ked into his eyes, searching for the truth.

But all she saw was pain. Regret.

And the echo of something that once felt like love.