Elena's POV
I stared at the message, my chest rising and falling in slow, tight breaths.
Julian was still asleep, his hand curled around my waist, peaceful—completely unaware that the past had just slipped its claws through the present.
I picked up the phone again, heart steady this time. No panic. Just... tired truth.
I typed slowly, carefully, fingers almost too calm for what I was about to send.
ELENA: Damian, what is the problem? Just leave me alone. We can never work again. You're in my past.
I hit send without rereading it. No hesitation.
Because there was nothing left to say.
I waited. One minute. Then two. My heart beat louder with each second—not because I wanted a reply, but because I dreaded one.
The message stayed delivered.
No reply.
I set the phone down again and slid deeper into the bed, letting Julian's arm settle over me like a shield I hadn't realized I needed.
But sleep didn't come.
Not with Damian's voice echoing in my head—"I miss you, my angel."
