Chapter 16

Eliora's POV

The evening air was soft and cool, brushing against my skin like a quiet whisper. After days of tight chests and sleepless nights, it felt good to be outside again—to breathe.

Elijah had returned from his trip this morning. The moment he saw me, he smiled that calm, familiar smile that always seemed to steady me. He said I looked pale and that I needed “a little air,” and before I could argue, he was already leading me out the door.

We had been everywhere just today: from the amusement park to a game house to an ice cream treat, you name it.

I felt a little pity for Elijah because he had just returned from a trip and I'm pretty sure he was exhausted, but he wouldn't listen to my constant “whine” about why he should rest.

Now, I sat by the water, watching the waves crash gently against the rocks. Streetlights glowed in the distance, painting golden lines on the sea.

I closed my eyes briefly, breathing in the fresh air; I opened my eyes and looked to my left to find Elijah on a call a little far from me. A small smile appeared on my lips as I looked down at what I was wearing.

Elijah had left his jacket with me, saying how would he explain to Ezra if I caught a cold on his watch. I couldn't help but laugh and accept the jacket.

Flashback

Five years ago…..

“Your father didn't make it, Ms. Monroe. I'm sorry, but we did all that we could.”

“Doctor. No. Please, tell me it's a joke. My dad can't be dead. He promised me that he would make it. 

Please... Please bring him back.” I whined, holding on tight to his lab coat.

“I'm sorry,” the doctor said, releasing my grip from his coat.

I fell to the floor, weeping uncontrollably in the presence of Kian and his father.

Mr. Donovan cleared his throat. “Eliora, dear, calm down. Please be strong.” His voice was firm but calm, while Kian stood still, clutching and unclutching his fist.

I rose to my feet slowly. “Calm down? Calm down? You of all people know that my dad is the only reason I came to you in the first place, the only reason I agreed to be in this marriage.” I paused to draw a breath.

“A- And now that he is gone—” A fresh stream of tears poured from my eyes. “Now he is gone. What's in it for me?” I yelled, drawing attention to us.

Kian's eyes locked on mine, and for a moment I thought he would confront me, but he just stood still.

Of course. What did I expect? This was never what he wanted. I was a fool.

I took steps back, shaking my head slowly, tears streaming down my face profusely.

Mr. Donovan's voice came again, “Eliora, your father—” but I was out already. Running to wherever my legs took me.

I crashed down at my old family house. I couldn't bring myself to go in. I don't know how long I stayed there, but I only looked up when I felt a jacket on my shoulder.

“K-Kian?”

“We have to go.” That's all I remember because shortly after that I blacked out.

End of flashback…

I sighed deeply. “Oh Eliora, even at a time like this, you still choose to think of him?” I shook my head.

“I missed this,” Elijah said softly, eyes on the horizon.

I didn't realize he was close to me.

I smiled faintly. “You mean peace and quiet?”

He chuckled. “I mean you, Eli.”

I looked away, pretending to focus on the sky. The truth was, his presence had always felt safe—steady. And I needed that more than I wanted to admit.

We ordered light dinner from a seaside café nearby.

“You are really after my fit, Elijah.” I joked and pouted.

He laughed. “ No, no, I'm not. I just want you to enjoy your day with me so much that you start seeing me in your sleep.” I laughed.

“Elijah, please,” I said, trying to stop laughing.

When the laughter faded, silence crept in—not uncomfortable, just… full.

Elijah turned to me. “You haven't been yourself lately,” he said. “Is it about Kian?”

The name alone sent a chill through me. I hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Everything feels… complicated since he came back.” My mind traveled to the chilling anonymous text I received two days back.

I hadn't told anyone about it. I honestly don't know if I should. I don't think I should. It's my business, so I have to deal with it.

He studied me for a long moment, his voice gentle but steady. “Do you still love him?”

I froze. The fork in my hand dropped onto the spoon with a small click. The question hung between us, heavy and fragile.

“I–I” I laughed, reaching for my glass of water and gulped it down. “Is that question supposed to be a joke? Because if it was, you got me.” I laughed again.

Elijah leaned back; his eyes remained unreadable. And boy, did it leave me uncomfortable?

After a while, I forced a small smile, hoping it would ease up the tension. “We always knew this would be temporary, right?” I said quietly. “You and me. This arrangement.”

His expression didn’t change, but I saw the hurt flicker in his eyes before he masked it with that polite calm again. “Yeah,” he said, voice low. “We did.”

I looked down at my hands, feeling guilt crawl through my chest. Elijah didn’t deserve to be part of this.

He reached for my hand, squeezing gently. “Whatever happens, Eliora, I just want you to be okay. You’ve carried too much for too long.”

My throat tightened. I wanted to thank him. I wanted to cry. But instead, I just nodded.

We walked back to the car in silence. My phone buzzed.

A message from my assistant:

“The rumors have been taken down from the web. Kian’s tech company handled it.”

I stared at the screen, confusion twisting in my chest.

If Kian exposed those headlines in the first place… why take them down?

The question sat heavy in my mind as Elijah drove.

He glanced at me once. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I lied.

But deep down, I knew peace like this never lasted. And as I w

atched the city lights blur past, one question kept echoing in my head.

Should I tell Kian the truth about Ezra?