Chapter Twenty-six

(Selena's POV)

He stood close to the wall of the elevator, scrolling through his phone. He didn't notice me immediately, and for a second, I considered turning back, pretending I’d forgotten something.

But I didn’t.

I have to face him. I walked in, keeping to my side of the elevator. The doors closed with a soft thud, and suddenly the world shrank into this tight little metal box. My breathing slowed, then quickened—shallow and uneven—as I stared straight ahead, trying to hold it together.

The silence was unbearable. I could feel every breath he took.

He finally glanced up from his phone.

“Selena,” he said softly.

I didn’t respond.

“How… how are you doing?”

That was it.

That simple, bland question lit the match I had been holding at arm’s length.

I turned my head slowly to face him with narrowed eyes, my insides were burning.

“How am I doing?” I repeated with a quiet intensity. “You really want to know?”

He looked like a deer caught in headlights.

“I’m furious,” I said. My voice didn’