Chapter 38

Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers lightly tangled in the fabric of the sheets.

Eli stood by the window, staring out into the dark.

Neither of them spoke at first.

But the silence wasn’t empty.

It was full—

Of everything they weren’t saying.

“…You’ve been quiet,” Charlotte said softly.

Eli exhaled.

“…Just thinking.”

Charlotte gave a small, knowing smile.

“…You always say that when something’s wrong.”

He turned slightly.

“…And you always notice.”

A pause.

Then she stood.

Walked over to him.

Slowly.

“…Talk to me.”

Eli hesitated.

Then:

“…I don’t like this place.”

Charlotte blinked.

“…Because of them?”

Eli shook his head.

“…Because of what it’s doing.”

“To you?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

And that—

Was answer enough.

Charlotte stepped closer.

“…You’re still you.”

Eli let out a quiet breath.

“…Am I?”

Her hand lifted—

Resting gently against his chest.

“…Yes.”

His heartbeat was steady.

But not calm.

Charlotte felt it.

“…You’re just scared.”

Eli let out a small, humorless laugh.

“…I’m not scared.”

Charlotte looked up at him.

“…Then why do you look like you’re fighting something?”

That—

Hit too accurately.

Eli looked away.

“…Because I am.”

Silence.

Charlotte’s expression softened.

“…Is it him?”

Eli didn’t answer.

Didn’t need to.

Charlotte’s chest tightened.

“…Eli…”

Before she could say more—

He pulled her into him.

Suddenly.

Tightly.

Like grounding himself.

“…Don’t,” he murmured.

“…Don’t start that again.”

Charlotte closed her eyes briefly.

Then relaxed into him.

“…Okay.”

But her arms wrapped around him tighter too.

Because she felt it—

That shift.

That distance trying to form.

And she wasn’t ready to let it.

Eli pulled back just enough to look at her.

His gaze softened.

Finally.

“…Stay with me.”

Charlotte smiled faintly.

“…I’m not going anywhere.”

That was all it took.

Eli leaned down.

Kissed her.

Slow.

Intentional.

Not rushed.

Not desperate.

But deep.

Like he was trying to prove something.

To her.

To himself.

Charlotte responded immediately.

Her fingers gripping his shirt as she leaned into him.

Closer.

Warmer.

More certain.

The world outside faded.

Just them.

Just this.

Eli’s hand moved to her waist.

Pulling her closer.

And this time—

He didn’t hesitate.

Didn’t pause.

Didn’t overthink.

He chose her.

Fully.

And Charlotte felt it.

The difference.

The intention.

The need to hold on.

Their kisses deepened—

Lingering.

Emotional.

Until eventually—

They slowed.

Foreheads resting together.

Breathing uneven.

Charlotte smiled softly.

“…You see?”

Eli’s voice was quieter now.

“…See what?”

“…You’re still mine.”

Eli froze slightly.

Not pulling away.

But not responding either.

Charlotte noticed.

But she didn’t push.

Instead—

She leaned into him again.

And he let her.

KIERAN__

Kieran didn’t plan to come.

But he did.

And the moment he stepped close enough—

He felt it.

The shift.

The closeness.

The intimacy.

He didn’t need to see everything.

He knew.

And when he did look—

That was enough.

Eli.

Holding her.

Choosing her.

Again.

Something inside him snapped.

Not loudly.

Not violently.

But something that had been holding—

Gave way.

The door opened.

Hard.

Not slammed.

But forceful enough to break everything.

Eli turned immediately.

Charlotte stepped back slightly.

Kieran stood at the doorway.

Silent.

But the air around him—

Was dangerous.

“…What is it?” Eli asked, trying to sound normal.

Kieran didn’t answer.

His gaze moved from Eli—

To Charlotte—

Then back again.

Slow.

Heavy.

“…You’re needed.”

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

Eli frowned.

“…For what?”

A pause.

Then:

“…Training.”

Charlotte blinked.

“…Now?”

Kieran didn’t look at her.

“…Yes.”

Eli hesitated.

Just for a second.

Then sighed.

“…Fine.”

He turned back to Charlotte.

“…I’ll be back.”

She nodded.

“…Okay.”

But something about Kieran’s presence—

Made her uneasy.

Again.

The moment they were alone—

Everything changed.

Eli barely had time to speak—

Before Kieran moved.

Fast.

Closing the distance instantly.

Grabbing Eli’s wrist.

Pulling him forward.

Hard.

“…Hey—!”

Eli stumbled slightly.

“…What’s your problem?”

Kieran didn’t answer.

He pushed Eli back—

Not rough enough to hurt—

But enough to trap him again.

Just like before.

Only this time—

Closer.

Tighter.

Eli’s back hit the wall.

“…Kieran—”

“Did you enjoy that?”

The question came low.

Sharp.

Eli blinked.

“…What?”

Kieran’s eyes didn’t leave his.

“…With her.”

Silence.

Eli frowned.

“…That’s none of your business.”

Wrong answer.

Kieran stepped closer.

Too close.

“…Everything about you is my business.”

Eli’s chest tightened.

“…No, it’s not.”

Kieran’s hand came up—

Gripping Eli’s jaw lightly.

Not painful.

But controlling.

“…You’re lying to yourself.”

Eli’s breath hitched.

“…About what?”

Kieran leaned in.

Closer.

“…About what you feel.”

Eli shook his head slightly.

“…I don’t feel anything.”

Kieran’s grip tightened just a little.

“…Then why did you hesitate earlier?”

That—

That hit.

Eli’s eyes flickered.

“…I didn’t.”

Kieran’s voice dropped.

“…You did.”

Silence.

Thick.

Heavy.

Then—

For a moment—

Kieran’s gaze dropped.

To Eli’s lips.

And that moment—

That hesitation—

That almost—

Was dangerous.

Because he nearly closed the distance.

Nearly crossed that line.

But—

He stopped.

Pulled back slightly.

Breathing uneven now.

Not as controlled as before.

Eli noticed.

Of course he did.

And for the first time—

Something unfamiliar hit him.

Not fear.

Not anger.

Something else.

Something confusing.

“…What are you doing?” Eli asked quietly.

Kieran looked at him.

Really looked.

And this time—

There was no hiding it.

“…Losing patience.”

The words were simple.

But heavy.

Final.

Eli swallowed slightly.

“…You need to stop.”

Kieran’s gaze darkened.

“…Or what?”

Eli didn’t answer.

Because he didn’t know.

And that—

Was the problem.

Eli left first.

Walking away faster than usual.

Charlotte was waiting.

Of course she was.

“…You okay?” she asked immediately.

Eli nodded.

Too quickly.

“…Yeah.”

But his mind wasn’t calm.

Not anymore.

Because something almost happened.

And he didn’t understand why—

He didn’t stop it sooner.

Across the estate—

Kieran stood alone.

His hand still slightly clenched.

“…Not yet.”

But soon.

Very soon.

That control—

Would break.