Elias finally broke the silence. "Lena… what exactly are you asking me?"
His voice was calm, measured, but there was something beneath it. A restraint.
She took a slow breath, forcing her voice to stay steady. "I'm asking if I've been looking in the wrong direction this whole time."
Elias's eyes darkened, his posture shifting slightly. "You think I had something to do with this?"
Lena wanted to say no.
She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it.
But instead, she whispered, "I don't know what to think anymore."
Elias's jaw clenched. "After everything we've been through, you're questioning me now?"
Lena flinched at the sharpness of his tone. "Elias, I need the truth."
His expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes—something unreadable.
Then, he did something unexpected.
He stepped closer.
Slow. Intentional. His gaze locked onto hers with a quiet intensity that sent a shiver through her.
