Chapter 3 - I saw her

[Elena]

"Elena…"

A soft voice stirred me from sleep, followed by a gentle tap on my arm.

"Elena."

There it was again. That voice that I would recognize anywhere. Even in the middle of sleep.

My brows furrowed as my lids peeled open, the dull throb behind my forehead hitting me all at once. I groaned softly, raising a hand to my temple.

"Are you okay?" Asher’s voice came clearer now, closer. He was crouching beside the couch, eyes searching mine. "You were tossing earlier."

I blinked, then winced as the headache deepened. My mouth felt dry. "My head…"

"I’ll get you water." He stood and disappeared into the kitchen.

I sat up slowly, the weight of sleep and discomfort dragging against my body. The morning light slipped through the curtains faintly, and the silence in the room felt heavy. I glanced at the clock on the wall.

6:02 A.M

My throat tightened. I rubbed my eyes, forcing them to adjust, to make sense of the ache inside me that wasn’t entirely from the headache.

Asher returned with a glass of water. "Here. Drink slowly."

I took it with a nod, my fingers brushing his briefly. I drank, loving the way the cool water slid down my throat.

"You should go upstairs and lie down properly," he said, rising to his feet, his eyes still locked on mine — concern clouding his features.

I should have stood. Head upstairs like he said but I sat still.

I looked at the clock again and turned back to Asher. "Are you just coming back?"

He paused, his lips clamping together. "Yes," he said finally, voice low.

I swallowed hard. I shouldn’t ask. I told myself not to.

But the words pushed their way out of my mouth anyway. "About yesterday…you said…Vienna…she…"

"Yes," he said, cutting in gently. "She’s back."

My heart jumped.

I stared at him, blinking. "Who…who is back?" I asked like it wasn't already obvious.

"Vienna," he replied, and for a moment my heart clenched.

Vienna is back.

He exhaled, gaze shifting away from mine. "Though I didn’t get to see her. Or maybe… she didn’t want to see me. She shut the hotel door in my face."

A strange warmth fluttered through me. My brow creased immediately. She’s back. And she shut the door on him? Then maybe… maybe she’s moved on. Maybe she’s no longer interested in him.

But before I could get lost in that thought, Asher continued.

"I’m sure she’ll be going over to your parents’ place soon. I’ll try again in the evening. Maybe then I’ll get to see her properly."

The words slipped from my mouth before I could catch them.

"Don’t go," I said softly.

He blinked.

I bit my lower lip hard. "Can’t…can’t you just forget about her?"

"Elena…" His tone was soft again. My name sounded heavy on his tongue. I finally looked up at him.

He was watching me closely now. "About what you said last night, I—"

"If you’re trying to ask if I meant it, then yes," I said, my voice firmer than I expected. "I meant every word. I’ve loved you for so long. And I just… I just want you to—"

"I’m sorry," he said sharply, cutting me off.

I froze.

"I'm sorry Elena, but I can’t reciprocate your feelings," he continued, each word slicing through me like glass. "I don’t see you that way, Elena. I love Vienna. She's always had my heart, I don't think I can ever love someone else." Asher said, his eyes burning into mine.

Silence filled the room. Sharp. Cold.

I swallowed, my heart thumping loudly in my chest.

I opened my mouth to say something but he quickly cut me off again.

"I'm sorry Elena, I just don't...I mean...,"

"I understand," I whispered. My voice shook but I swallowed, pushing the tears back. His eyes lowered and shame immediately crawled over my skin.

I flashed him a tight smile and handed him the glass of water. And just as I stood and tried to walk past him, his hand shot out, catching me gently by the wrist.

"Elena…"

I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t.

"I was selfish," he said softly. "Asking you to marry me… just because I wanted the news to get to Vienna so she’d come back. I didn’t know you felt this way toward me, I swear, if I had known, I wouldn't have approached you for this."

"It’s fine," I said, pulling my hand free. "I did it because I wanted to."

He didn’t speak.

"I’ll be in my room."

I backed away from him, step by step, then turned. My legs felt heavy as I climbed the stairs. I didn’t wipe the tears away. I let them fall, one by one.

His words repeated in my head with every step.

I don’t see you that way.

If I knew you were in love with me…

I wouldn’t have.

By the time I reached my door, I was choking on sobs I couldn’t hold back.

I turned the knob with trembling fingers, stepped inside, and closed the door behind me.

Locked it.

Leaning back on it, the gasp escaped me.

Tears rolled down, gritting my teeth hard.

"It hurts," I whispered, my lips wobbling.

I slid to the floor, knees folding into my chest, as the tears came harder, my whole body shivering. "It fucking hurts. I hate that he never saw me. I hate that he loves her instead."

I clutched my shirt tightly, curling into myself as every one of his words tore me open.

Then…

Slowly…

My sobs softened.

My breath caught.

A new thought suddenly slipped in quietly, dangerous, almost cruel in how much I wanted to believe it.

She shut the door on his face.

What if… what if Vienna doesn’t want him anymore?

What if she’s moved on? What if she’s done with him for good?

He said he loves her. Said he can’t love me.

But he also said he never knew how I felt.

What if now that he does… something shifts?

What if Vienna pushes him off and I stay beside him, to comfort him?

I know I shouldn't think like this. But maybe... maybe if Vienna lets him go, then maybe... he'll finally see me.

Just maybe.

I know this is stupid of me—pathetic even, but I have to know how it turns out.

Please, Vienna… let it be that you’ve moved on.

It’s been two years and I don’t even know why you disappeared.

Yes, I’m adopted into your family, and I love you like a sister… even when I know you never loved me. But I want Asher.

But please… move on. Tell Asher you don’t need him anymore.

"Please. Just… please," I mumbled, clinging to that tiny bit of hope as another tear slid off my face.