Chapter 16 - Slipping Away

Damon had called her seventeen times.

Each call ended the same way — with a silence that screamed louder than words.

He sat on the edge of his bed, bloodshot eyes glued to his phone screen, hoping for even a single text. But there was nothing. No sign of her. No message. Not even a typing bubble.

Just silence.

And yet… he deserved it.

The photos Selena had sent to Elina haunted him. Her betrayal, her trap — it had cost him the one person who made him feel human.

The door creaked open behind him.

Selena.

Wearing a silk robe and that same smug expression. "Still waiting for her to forgive you?" she purred. "Darling, she's not coming back."

He didn't even look at her. "Get out, Selena."

"Aw, come on," she cooed, stepping inside. "You and I both know you're stuck with me now. Unless…"

He turned to face her slowly. "Unless what?"

She smirked, pulling out her phone. One photo sat on the screen—the same one she'd sent Elina—but this time, there was a headline above it, drafted but not yet published: "Billionaire Heir Caught in Intimate Scandal – Who is the Mystery Woman?"

"You marry me," she said casually, "or I'll leak these to every news outlet in the country. Imagine what your precious company will think. What your mother will think."

Damon clenched his fists, fury pulsing in his veins. "You're insane."

"No," she whispered, stepping closer, her breath brushing his ear. "I'm just tired of being your past. I want to be your future."

He stood, towering over her. "I'd rather burn my empire to the ground than let you walk down the aisle with me."

She raised a brow. "Then burn it. Either way, you lose."

---

Across town, Elina stood on the balcony of Taylor's penthouse, her arms wrapped around herself. The wind was gentle, the city glowing beneath her. For a brief moment, it felt peaceful—like maybe she could breathe again.

Taylor stepped outside, holding a soft blanket in one hand and a glass of warm tea in the other. "You're always cold when you're deep in thought," he said gently, draping the blanket around her shoulders.

She smiled faintly. "Thank you."

He sat beside her on the cushioned lounge chair. The space between them buzzed with quiet energy. She leaned into him just slightly, their shoulders brushing.

"You've always done this," she whispered. "Even when we were kids. You always knew when something was wrong."

"That's because I know you," he replied. "Better than anyone."

Their eyes met—and lingered. The wind hushed. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. Slowly, Taylor reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.

"You don't have to carry this pain alone, Elina," he said. "Let me be here for you. Let me protect you."

She didn't speak, but she didn't pull away either. When his lips finally touched hers, it was soft… reverent… like a promise. A kiss that said I see you. I choose you.

And she kissed him back.

Not to forget Damon.

But to feel wanted. Safe. Chosen.

Inside, Rose peeked from the glass door, her smile blooming across her face. She placed a hand over her heart, whispering, "Finally."

Her best friend and her brother—together. Happy.

For the first time in months, Elina looked like herself again.

---

Meanwhile, Damon sat alone in the dark, pouring whiskey into a glass with shaking hands. The weight of everything crashed onto him—Elina's absence, Selena's threat, his mother's silence, the photos, the betrayal.

He had nothing left.

Except her memory.

He picked up his cracked phone and opened their last photo together—Elina laughing, her hand reaching for his face, eyes filled with something so real, it almost hurt.

A single tear slid down his cheek.

"I lost you," he whispered, voice breaking, "and I deserve it."

But deep inside, something flickered—a fire not ready to die.

Selena thought she'd won.

But the game wasn't over yet.