Chapter 5

“Pickup from the Aurelian Hotel, suite 17A,” Elara murmured softly, her slender fingers scrolling across her phone screen.

The rain had just stopped, leaving behind the scent of wet earth mingled with the cool night air. The clock was nearing nine. Outside the car window, the city lights shimmered through puddles, glinting like shards of glass reflecting old memories.

She drew a long breath, straightening the worn black coat whose color had begun to fade.

“One more ride,” she whispered, her voice nearly drowned by the sound of the windshield wipers.

Her gaze fell upon the small photo hanging from the rearview mirror — Arielle, Maeve, and Eli — their smiles the only light left in her world.

“For you,” she whispered, brushing the photo with her fingertips. “So we can eat tomorrow.”

She started the engine.

The black car glided slowly through the slick streets of Loraine — the city she had once fled with a broken heart.

What she didn’t know was that tonight… fate was waiting just around the corner.

---

“Pickup for Mr. Liam,” the hotel concierge called out.

The name struck like lightning in the rain.

Elara lifted her gaze toward the hotel lobby — and the world stopped turning.

Liam Ashford.

He stood there, tall and composed as ever — only now, his aura was different. A sharp suit, an expensive watch glinting at his wrist, and beside him… Celine Ward, the woman who had shattered her marriage, her hand looped possessively through his arm.

For a brief second, Elara’s breath caught. Her pulse thundered, but her face remained calm — too practiced at hiding storms.

She straightened her posture and fixed her eyes ahead, as if they were nothing but two strangers sharing a ride.

“For Mr. Liam Ashford,” she said evenly as the pair approached.

Liam froze for the briefest moment when he recognized the voice. But Celine tightened her grip on his arm, a silent reminder of who stood beside him now.

“To the Crestview house,” Liam said quietly, his tone stiff.

“Yes, sir,” Elara replied, her voice flat.

The car rolled forward, leaving the glowing hotel behind.

Rain began to fall again, tapping softly on the roof — a sound too gentle for the tension inside the cabin.

---

“How ironic,” Celine’s voice sliced through the silence.

Sweet — far too sweet — laced with poison.

Elara’s eyes stayed on the road. Her fingers tightened on the wheel, but her face betrayed nothing.

Celine chuckled softly. “You used to sit in the backseat, Elara. Now you’re the one driving for us. The world really does love to spin.”

“Celine, stop,” Liam’s voice came out low but firm.

“Oh, come on, Liam.” Celine’s smirk deepened as her gaze met Elara’s reflection in the rearview mirror. “I’m only stating facts. She once had everything — the house, the name, you. And now? Just a car and her loneliness.”

Elara inhaled slowly, forcing control, but her knuckles had turned white.

“If you don’t like this ride, I can stop right here,” she said coldly, her voice quiet but razor-sharp.

“No need.” Celine leaned back, her tone chilled. “I just wanted to remind you… how cheap foolishness can be.”

Liam looked out the window, his jaw tight. He wanted to speak, but every word felt wrong.

On the other hand, Elara’s calm was starting to crack.

Celine leaned forward slightly, her tone turning venomous.

“You know, I always felt sorry for you. You were too naïve. Too trusting. You really thought Liam would love you forever? You were just… too ordinary for a man like him.”

“Celine,” Liam growled under his breath, “enough.”

“But it’s funny, darling,” Celine sneered, looking between them. “She still looks at us like she has a claim. Like she’s still someone.”

Silence. Only the sound of rain filled the space between their breaths.

Then, with a voice dripping in mock pity, Celine whispered,

“And now? You’re a driver, raising children without a father? Or maybe…” — she let out a cruel laugh — “you don’t even know who their father is?”

---

The car screeched to a stop.

Tires shrieked on wet asphalt, jolting Celine forward in her seat.

Elara’s hands gripped the wheel so tightly her fingers trembled. Her breath came heavy — and for the first time that night, her fury showed.

She met their eyes through the mirror, her gaze dark and sharp as a blade.

“Don’t provoke something you’re not ready to face, Celine.”

Celine froze, swallowing hard. “W-what?”

Elara leaned forward slightly, her voice low and glacial.

“Six years ago, I stayed silent because I was tired. But if you want to play dirty again — I won’t step back this time.”

Liam stared at her reflection — those eyes.

The same eyes that once brimmed with love now burned with a fire he could barely withstand.

“Elara…” his voice was unsteady. “Why didn’t you tell me you were here?”

Elara looked at him through the mirror, her lips curving into a faint, bitter smile.

“Because you decided not to know me, Liam.”

She pressed the gas, and the car moved again, slicing through the curtain of rain.

Inside, silence reigned.

Celine clung to Liam’s arm, but he didn’t move. His eyes stayed fixed on Elara’s reflection — as if trying to understand why his chest hurt so much.

---

Minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the grand Crestview estate.

Celine hurried out without a word, her face pale.

Liam stayed behind, hand resting on the door handle, unable to move.

“Elara…” he finally whispered.

She didn’t turn. Her tone was flat, distant. “The fare includes the tip, Mr. Ashford.”

Liam lowered his head, his voice cracking. “You’ve changed.”

“So have you,” Elara replied quietly, her gaze fixed ahead. “The only difference is — I changed because of pain. You changed by choice.”

Liam opened his mouth, but no words came.

Elara’s eyes were cold, yet trembling at the edges, her hands steady on the wheel as she waited for him to leave.

And when he finally stepped out, the rain swallowed him whole —

leaving her alone again, with only the sound of her own heartbeat echoing in the dark.