All Chapters of Betrayal Between the vows : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Elias stood in the bathroom, alone, staring at his reflection. The mirror didn’t lie. But it didn’t offer any answers either. He touched his jawline, then his cheek, like he was trying to feel something real. The face was his. But the man? Still a stranger. He turned the tap on, splashed cold water on his face, and leaned into the sink. The silence in the apartment was loud again Lucas still asleep, the early morning sun just starting to paint the walls gold. His eyes met his own again in the mirror. “Who the hell are you?” he whispered. No answer. Just a quiet room and a face filled with things he couldn’t name. Lucas woke to the sound of the kettle boiling. He dragged himself out of bed, pulling on a hoodie. When he walked into the kitchen, Elias was already pouring tea, one mug in front of him, another in front of the empty chair. “You didn’t sleep?” Lucas asked. Elias shook his head. “Barely.” “You okay?” “I don’t know,” Elias said. “I feel… haunted. Like I’m walking

The room was still dark when Elias opened his eyes. He didn’t move right away. Lucas was lying beside him, turned slightly toward the wall, breathing deep and steady. For a long minute, Elias just watched him. Not in a weird way. Just… like someone studying peace. Wondering how something so simple could feel like the bravest thing in the world. He didn’t remember every version of Lucas. But this one? The one who made space without asking questions that version was impossible to forget. He carefully rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. One hand rested on the sheets between them, close but not touching. He whispered, “Thank you.” Lucas didn’t stir. But maybe he didn’t need to hear it out loud. Lucas woke an hour later, blinking slow. His eyes landed on Elias, still awake. “You slept at all?” he asked. “A little.” Lucas sat up. “Bad dreams?” “No. Just a lot of thoughts.” Lucas rubbed his face. “You always think too much when you’re scared.” “Still do.” Lucas le

Lucas woke to sunlight sneaking through the blinds, warm across his face. The apartment smelled like leftover rain and coffee. Beside him, the sheets were empty, but warm. Elias was already up. He always used to sleep in. Lucas smiled at the thought, sat up, and stretched. A low hum came from the kitchen. When he walked in, Elias was pouring tea, still in a soft black T-shirt, hair messy, expression calm. “Morning,” Elias said. “Hope you’re okay with toast. We’re out of eggs.” Lucas stepped closer. “You sing when you don’t think I’m listening.” Elias froze, then chuckled. “You caught that?” “You used to do it all the time.” Elias looked down at the mug in his hand. “I think I’m becoming him again. Piece by piece.” Lucas took the mug, brushed his hand gently. “Only the best parts.” They sat at the kitchen table with honey toast and strong tea. Simple. Warm. Easy. Until Elias said, “Philip called last night. I didn’t answer.” Lucas set his cup down slowly. “He wants you bac

Elias sat at the long dining table in the Ward estate. The room was still cold. Not from the weather but from the walls, the silverware, the silence that stretched too far. His old place at the table hadn’t changed. The chair still creaked. The chandelier still flickered when the air conditioning kicked in. But Elias wasn’t the same. He stared at the folder Philip had placed in front of him. Contracts. Schedules. Business promises that felt more like chains. Philip sat across from him, glasses low on his nose, tone flat. “You’ve been gone too long. We need to clean this up. Quickly.” Elias ran a hand through his hair. “You don’t clean up people. You talk to them.” Philip sighed. “Elias, this isn’t about your… romantic detour. It’s about the company. The estate. Your public image.” Elias closed the folder. “Then burn the image,” he said. “I’m not building a version of myself that looks right but feels wrong.” Philip raised an eyebrow. “Lucas has changed you.” Elias didn’t

Lucas stood in front of the mirror, fixing the collar of his shirt. Nothing fancy. Just black cotton, clean lines. But still it mattered today. Elias leaned against the bathroom door, arms folded, a toothbrush still in his hand. His hair stuck out in too many directions, and he hadn’t even washed his face yet. “You dressing up for work or for the idea of pretending everything’s normal?” Elias asked, voice low and teasing. Lucas smirked at him through the mirror. “Normal doesn’t exist here. Just trying to feel like I belong in my own life.” Elias stepped in, rested his chin on Lucas’s shoulder from behind. “You do. Even when you don’t feel it.” Lucas stilled a bit, then said, “You used to leave when I got like this.” “I know,” Elias whispered. “But I’m still here.” Lucas touched his hand without looking. “You better be.” Later that day, Elias found a folder Lucas had left out on the table. Inside were drawings sketches, really. Some messy, some neat. Floor plans. Studio spac