Chapter 17 - The First and The Truth

Elina stood by the window, the morning sun filtering through the gauzy curtains, bathing her skin in gold. Tylor's soft laughter echoed from the kitchen where he was preparing breakfast. It was peaceful, almost surreal, and yet—her heart was elsewhere. No matter how much she smiled, no matter how tender Tylor was, a shadow lingered behind her eyes. Damon.

She had tried. Really tried. Tylor made her laugh, made her feel safe. But the intensity, the fire she felt with Damon... it was something else entirely. Something she couldn't erase.

And yet she tried. Every day.

The night before, Tylor had held her close, his lips brushing her temple as he whispered, "You deserve happiness, Elina. I'll wait as long as you need."

But the silence from Damon gnawed at her. Since the photos Selena sent, she hadn't answered a single one of Damon's calls or texts. The betrayal still burned, even though part of her doubted what she saw. The Damon she knew—the one who looked at her like she was his entire world—would never...

Would he?

—

Damon hadn't slept in days. His eyes were bloodshot, his jaw clenched, his heart hollow. Every second without Elina was torture. He had tried everything—messages, voice notes, showing up at her workplace—but she avoided him with precision.

Selena was relentless. She'd threatened to leak the photos to the media if he didn't marry her.

"Don't forget, Damon," she purred one evening as she dangled a USB drive in front of him. "These could ruin your precious little image. And her life, too. Unless, of course, you make the smart decision."

"You'll get nothing from me," Damon growled.

"Oh, but I already did," she said with a smirk. "Elina thinks you're trash. And she's not coming back."

Damon smashed the glass in his hand. Blood dripped from his fingers, but he didn't flinch. He didn't care. All that mattered was Elina.

He needed to see her.

—

Elina stood in front of the mirror after her shower, towel wrapped tightly around her body. Her skin still glistened with droplets, and she hummed softly to distract herself from the gnawing ache inside.

She stepped out into her room—and froze.

There he was.

Damon. Standing by the window. In her room.

"Damon?!" she gasped.

He moved quickly, pressing a finger to her lips before she could scream.

"Shhh," he whispered, voice low and rough. "Please. Just listen."

She trembled, heart pounding as his fingers brushed her lips.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed, pulling back.

But before she could step away, he closed the distance.

"You didn't answer me. You blocked me out. I had no choice."

"You broke into my house!" she snapped.

"I needed to see you," Damon said, his voice strained. His eyes searched hers. "Just once. Before you vanish completely."

Her resolve weakened. His face was pale, thinner, tired. But his presence still lit a fire in her core. She backed up, but he followed.

"You don't get to waltz in and—"

His lips crashed against hers.

The kiss was urgent, desperate. Elina froze. Then—against every logical thought—she kissed him back.

The towel slipped.

Damon's hands gripped her waist, pulling her against him. She moaned into his mouth, fingers tangling in his hair. It wasn't gentle. It wasn't careful. It was raw. Burning.

He lifted her, pressing her to the wall. Her legs wrapped around him instinctively.

"You're mine," he whispered, his lips brushing the curve of her neck. "And I'm yours."

She gasped. "Stop—Damon—"

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked, eyes locking with hers.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

He kissed her again, deeper this time. She melted, burying her face in his neck. She felt the truth of him—his pain, his longing, his love.

When it was over, they lay tangled in the sheets, the silence thick.

Elina turned to him, chest rising and falling. "Was that your idea of closure?"

Damon looked away. "That was... my first time."

She blinked. "What?"

He nodded slowly. "You're the only woman I've ever been with."

"But... Selena—"

He laughed bitterly. "Never. She tried. Always tried. But I never let her. I never wanted anyone but you."

Elina sat up, gripping the sheets to her chest.

"You expect me to believe that after those photos?" she snapped.

"Selena drugged me. I don't even remember that night. She staged everything. Sent those pictures to you so you'd walk away."

Elina's throat tightened. "Why would she go that far?"

"Because she wants the power. My mother supports her. It's all about money and control. And you... you ruined their plans."

Tears welled in her eyes. Her heart twisted painfully.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because you wouldn't listen. You blocked me out. And I deserved that. But I couldn't give up. I won't."

He reached for her hand.

"Elina... this isn't about a contract anymore. It never was. I love you. I've loved you since the first moment I saw you."

She pulled her hand back. Her voice was barely a whisper. "And what if I still walk away?"

"Then I'll wait," he said. "Forever, if I have to."

She turned away, her heart breaking all over again. Damon had hurt her, yes—but the truth of his pain matched her own. And now she didn't know which path to choose.

Outside the window, the world kept moving.

But inside, Elina's heart was at war.