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Elena's POV

I watched as Jason left the hospital room, his expression a mixture of shock and hurt. I turned back to Lucas, my heart racing. The weight of my decision hung heavy in the air, but as I looked into his eyes, I felt a warmth spread through me—a mix of relief and joy. The corners of my mouth turned up into a smile, one that mirrored the happiness I could see reflected in his gaze.

“Are you okay?” Lucas asked, his voice low and gentle. I could hear the underlying concern mixed with a hint of vulnerability. I nodded, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me for the pain I had caused Jason, but deep down, I knew I had to follow my heart.

“I know that I did so much damage to Jason, but…” I trailed off, the uncertainty swirling in my mind. Could I truly abandon the path I’d just chosen? I looked into Lucas’s eyes, searching for answers.

“Elena, you know I wouldn’t be able to walk again, right?” His question cut through my thoughts, grounding me.

I flashed him a reassuring smile and nodded, though the truth of his words twisted something inside me.

“I knew that,” I responded, my voice steady.

“I can’t take you bungee jumping or skiing, or even to the movies like we used to,” Lucas continued, his brow furrowing in mock seriousness. “No late-night runs for ice cream or lazy afternoons at the beach.”

I chuckled, the sound light and airy, dispelling some of the tension. “I know perfectly well. I’m not like you; I’ve never done that before.” I couldn’t help but smile at the memories, tinged with both joy and sorrow.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” His expression shifted to one of remorse, a fleeting shadow of regret passing over his features. “I’m sorry for everything I put you through,” he added softly.

I moved closer, kneeling beside his wheelchair, my heart aching for him. “Lucas, do you know why I fell in love with you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shook his head, curiosity brightening his eyes.

“Do you remember that day at the beach when you saved a girl from drowning?” I probed, and after a moment, his expression shifted from confusion to realization.

“No…wait,” he said, squinting as if the memory were just out of reach. “Oh, wait! That was so many years back.”

I nodded, a smile spreading across my face. “That girl was me.”

His eyes widened in shock. “You?”

“Yes, it was me,” I confirmed, a rush of nostalgia flooding back. “I didn’t get your name then, but after that incident, I saw you at a business party. I recognized you.”

He let out a laugh, the sound brightening the atmosphere between us. “I remember that party! I was wondering why you were staring at me the whole time.”

I chuckled, the memory vivid in my mind. “But I couldn’t do anything because Aurora was your date. I may have been a little jealous.”

“Just a little?” he teased, and I rolled my eyes playfully.

I took a deep breath, feeling the heaviness of our past and the warmth of our connection. “Then the accident happened,” I said, my tone sobering.

**Flashback**

I stood at the doorstep of Lucas’s house, heart racing as I held two cups of coffee. I knocked, and when he opened the door, my breath caught in my throat. The handsome man standing before me was everything I had dreamed of.

“Elena, what are you doing here?” he asked, surprise flickering across his features.

“I got you coffee, and I was thinking we could go see a movie together!” I said, excitement bubbling inside me.

But his response was crushing. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for a relationship right now. I’m really very sorry.” My heart sank at his words, and I felt like my dreams were crumbling.

Just then, his phone rang, and worry flashed across his face.

“Aurora needs blood—AB negative! I’ll be right there!” he said hastily, and I swallowed hard, desperation clawing at me.

“I’m AB negative!” I exclaimed, the words tumbling out.

“Really? Will you come to the hospital with me?” he asked, hope lighting up his expression.

“If you will marry me, I’ll help you with Aurora whenever you want,” I said, surprising myself with my boldness.

He nodded, and I could see the relief washing over him. “I will marry you.”

**Flashback ends**

As the memories faded, I realized tears were streaming down my cheeks. “Maybe if I had helped you then, you wouldn’t have hated me so much,” I said, my voice cracking.

“Shh…Elena, it’s not your fault. It’s entirely my fault because if I had pulled out my feelings, then this wouldn’t have happened,” he said, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Well, it’s all in the past now, right? Let’s face the future together,” I said, trying to infuse my words with optimism. But before I could say more, he grabbed me closer, pulling me onto his lap.

“Lucas, stop it! We’re in the hospital!” I protested, trying to maintain some semblance of decorum, but my heart raced at the intimacy of the moment.

“I don’t care!” he said, his voice thick with emotion as he leaned in to kiss me passionately.

My heart soared as I melted into the kiss, every worry and doubt evaporating. “I love you, Elena. Please don’t leave me again,” he murmured against my lips.

“I love you too, Lucas,” I replied, our foreheads resting against each other, lost in our shared moment.

But as the kiss deepened, a sudden thought struck me like a bolt of lightning. Would our love be enough to overcome the challenges ahead? The looming shadows of our past hovered just out of sight, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the road to our future would not be smooth.

As I pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes, I could see a flicker of doubt, a glimmer of uncertainty. “Lucas,” I began, hesitating. “What if I can’t be what you need? What if I can’t help you the way you want me to?”

He searched my face, and for a moment, the world outside the hospital walls faded away. “Elena, all I need is you. You have already saved me more than once. You brought light into my life when I thought I was lost in darkness.”

His words pierced through the chaos of my thoughts, but doubts still lingered. “But you lost so much because of me, and I can’t help but feel responsible. You’ve given up so much for me, and I don’t want to be the reason you suffer more.”

He shook his head, a determined look crossing his features. “You saved my life, Elena. We can face whatever comes next together. We’re stronger than we think.”

I felt the warmth of his words settle in my heart, but the memories of Jason lingered, the weight of my decision pressing down on me.

“Do you really mean that?” I asked, searching his gaze for reassurance.

“Of course, I do. I’ll never let you go again,” he promised, and the sincerity in his voice made my heart flutter.

As I looked into his eyes, I realized I had a choice to make, and this time, I wouldn’t let fear dictate my actions. I leaned in closer, my lips brushing against his. “I want to be with you, Lucas. I want to fight for us.”

“Then let’s do it together,” he replied, a smile breaking through the tension.

In that moment, everything felt possible. Our hands intertwined, and I felt a surge of hope wash over me. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I knew that together, we could overcome anything.

“Promise me something,” I said, my voice steady.

“What is it?” he asked, his expression serious.

“Promise me that we’ll be honest with each other, no matter how hard it gets. I don’t want secrets or hidden feelings to come between us again.”

“I promise,” he said firmly. “We’ll face everything head-on.”

With our hearts laid bare, we sealed our promise with another kiss, one filled with the determination to face whatever challenges the future held.

As we pulled away, a thought struck me, a flicker of fear threading through my excitement. “But what about Jason?”

His expression darkened slightly, and I could see the conflict written on his face. “I don’t want to come between you two. But you need to choose what’s best for you.”

“I know,” I said, my heart heavy with the reality of my decision. “I just didn’t expect it to be so hard.”

“Life is rarely easy, but it’s worth it when you find someone you love,” he replied, and his words resonated deep within me.

With newfound resolve, I nodded. “You’re right. I need to talk to Jason. I owe him that much.”

Lucas squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with understanding. “Just be honest with him. He deserves that.”

Lucas tighten his grip on my waist and kissed me.