Riley and I walked back in silence, the ocarina’s sound trailing behind us like a soft goodbye. It floated through the evening air and settled sowhere deep in my chest.
Riley kept glancing at , her curiosity practically burning holes in my face. "What did you tell her when you ran back?"
"Just thanked her," I said.
"Elena," Riley pressed, not letting it go. "We’re still best friends, right? You’re hiding sothing. You figured it out, didn’t you? Who is she?"
I stared at the sunset, watching the colors bleed into the horizon until everything turned calm and distant. "It doesn’t matter now."
I had ruined Lewis’s plan.
But if it ant he stayed alive, I could finally breathe again.
Nicholas was waiting for us at the corner like he had been told to stand guard. When we reached the house, Grant was already inside wearing an apron, setting the table like this was any normal evening. The sll of food filled the air, warm and comforting, like the world wasn’t falling apart inside my head.
Mom stood up slowly with one hand on her belly. "You’re back!"
Riley and I rushed over, one on each side, helping her sit properly.
"Take it easy," I told her, my voice gentle.
Mom smiled, teasing. "You two are back already? I thought you’d disappear longer. Did soone give you trouble out there?"
Riley leaned in and pressed her cheek lightly to Mom’s shoulder, soft and affectionate. "No. I just missed you."
Mom patted Riley’s head with a tender sigh. "I’m not worried about Lewis and Elena. Lewis is clearly crazy about her."
Then she looked at Riley more seriously. "But your father still has connections in Jaford. If things ever get bad, he can help you get out. I don’t want you suffering anymore."
Riley’s smile stayed bright. "Thanks, Mom. He can’t hurt . I’m just staying in Jaford for a while, hanging out. I want to spend ti with you... especially before Elena heads back."
"As long as nobody is bothering you," Mom said, taking my hand and Riley’s. "Now co. Let’s eat."
Dinner was loud in the best way. Grant kept piling food onto plates like he was feeding a whole pack. Mom laughed more than usual. Riley’s smile didn’t fade once.
I laughed too.
But my mind kept drifting back to Lewis.
Later that night, Riley and I lay side by side in bed. Even though I had video-called Lewis and said goodnight, my chest still felt heavy, like part of was missing.
Riley broke the silence. "Elena... what’s your biggest regret?"
I looked up at the stars outside the window, my voice calm even though my heart wasn’t.
"I used to think my biggest regret would be not getting revenge," I admitted. "Not making the people who hurt pay."
I swallowed, then continued. "But with Silas, Sheila, and the others gone... I don’t think like that anymore. I just want to cherish what I still have."
My throat tightened.
"My biggest regret is not being able to grow old with him."
Riley put her hands behind her head and stared at the ceiling. "I don’t have your grudges. And I don’t have anyone I love."
She paused, then her voice changed, more determined. "But now that I know how things can end... I changed my mind."
"How?" I asked.
"I want a passionate, exciting love story."
I smiled faintly. "I’m all for it."
Riley’s face lit up. "When I get back, I’m divorcing Harlan and going to a nightclub to find so cuties."
I stared at her. "Are you serious?"
"Think about it," she said, like it was obvious. "We don’t have the luxury of ti. So why not enjoy it? And loving one person is exhausting."
She lifted her brows. "I’m going to love ten."
"I..." I blinked. "You might have a point?"
Riley grinned wider. "When the ti cos, I won’t even care if they’re cute or they’re hot. I’ll switch them out daily."
"What about Harlan?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Not my type," she said with a shrug. "And look at us. We’re basically... risk-free."
"Riley," I warned, trying not to laugh, "take it easy. You could end up with sothing you don’t want."
She waved it off confidently. "I’ll find soone clean. And besides, it’s my first ti. I’m not settling for less than good looks, a nice body, and real skills. I want it to be a big bang."
Then she leaned closer, eyes gleaming with shaless curiosity. "So tell ... can Lewis really go seven tis in one night? I thought that was just fiction."
Heat rushed to my face. "Why don’t you try and find out for yourself?"
Riley smirked. "I’m not a guy. And I read most n only last thirty seconds."
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "What can you even do in thirty seconds?"
"Okay," I said, turning away, laughing despite myself. "We’re changing the subject."
Without Lewis beside , sleep didn’t co easily. I grabbed my phone, debating if I should text him. I didn’t want to disturb him. He worked hard every day and probably had a lot to handle tomorrow.
Then my phone buzzed.
A ssage from Lewis.
Are you asleep?
My lips curved into a soft smile. He was thinking of too.
A few months ago, a ssage like that would have made uncomfortable. My conversations with Julian were always stiff and practical. Nothing personal. Nothing warm.
But love changes you.
It makes you want to share everything. The little things. The big things. Even the silence.
I typed back.
Not yet.
Another ssage popped up right away.
Want to tell you a story?
I glanced at Riley, who was already half-asleep, then replied:
Sure. I’ll listen quietly. I won’t wake her.
We called.
I held the phone close, and his voice filled my ear, deep and steady, the kind of voice that made my instincts settle like a hand smoothing my hair.
"Once upon a ti..." he began.
I didn’t even make it far.
Listening to his breathing, the soft cadence of his words, I drifted off almost imdiately.
That night, I dread.
A man stood in armor, holding a spear with a red tassel. His chest was pierced over and over, yet he still stood tall, staring toward a distant horizon.
"I’m sorry," he whispered. "I failed you."
High above, on city walls, a woman in a red gown cried silently, her hair spilling down her back like a waterfall of grief.
I woke with a jolt, my face damp. Tears had slipped out in my sleep.
My chest hurt like the dream had been real. Like I had lived another goodbye.
"Elena," Riley murmured, waking up just enough to notice. She wiped my tears gently. "Why are you crying again?"
"It’s nothing," I whispered. "Just a nightmare."
She pulled into her arms with a sigh, soothing like she always was. "Don’t worry. That day is still far away."
Then she yawned and tried to brighten the mood. "By the way, you were so busy with Lewis you never visited the farm. You have to go. There are kittens, and the chicks are the cutest little things."
I sniffed, my voice steadier now. "I heard you stole so chicks and the hen chased you around. And you’re still brave enough to go back?"
Riley scoffed. "If that hen cos for again, she’s cooked. I’ll add mushrooms too."
I laughed, and the tightness in my chest loosened a little.
It was still early. The sky was barely turning pale.
I glanced at her. "WCamilla catch the sunrise?"
Riley’s eyes brightened. "Yes! Let’s go!"
We rushed through our morning routine and headed for the door, excited for the quiet beauty outside.
But the mont I opened it...
I froze.
A tall man stood there with a suitcase in his hand.
For a second, my mind refused to accept it. Just last night, he had been telling a story through the phone. And now, before the first real light of dawn, he was right in front of .
He must have traveled all night.
"Lewis?" I breathed, stunned. "What are you doing here?"
His smile was soft, but his eyes looked hungry, like he had been fighting his instincts the entire way here.
"You said you missed ," he said quietly. "So I ca."
He opened his arms.
And I didn’t think.
I ran straight into him, wrapping myself around him like I was afraid he’d disappear again. His scent hit and my whole body relaxed at once, like I had been holding my breath for days.
He held tight, his grip firm, protective, almost trembling.
"Elena," he whispered against my hair, voice low and raw, "I don’t want to have any regrets."
The woman in my dream flashed in my mind. The grief. The loss. The way goodbye had felt like a wound that never healed.
I lifted my face, smiled through the ache, and whispered back:
"Neither do I."
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