Chapter 18

Elara's POV

"No… I don't, but…" I trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

My stomach lurched. No family. The warmth I felt next to Rufus started to feel tinged with a new worry. Was I burdening him? He'd saved me, taken me in, fed me, and now... this baby. Was it all too much?

"Elara," Rufus said, his voice gentle, "look at me."

I hesitantly turned my head towards him. His eyes were soft, the harsh edges I'd seen before completely gone. "You don't have to rush anything," he continued. "Think about it. This place can be your home for as long as you need it. We can figure things out together."

Together. The word echoed in my mind. Together meant not being alone. Together meant having someone to face the unknown with. It was a terrifying and exhilarating prospect at the same time.

"But what about the baby?" I whispered, the fear creeping back in. "What kind of life will it have here, with no father?"

My voice trembled as the question left my lips. The fear that had been simmering ben