I stayed completely still in Lewis’s arms, not even blinking too hard, because he was the kind of man who could feel a lie through skin.
His body was warm around mine. Steady. Protective. And it made what I’d heard feel even crueler.
Sothing heavy pressed on my chest, like my ribs were too small for my heart. I clutched the corner of my pajamas and swallowed the sound that wanted to break out of . I refused to cry where he could hear it.
Lewis was exhausted. That was the only reason he fell asleep quickly.
When his breathing finally evened out, slow and deep, my tears slid down silently. I stared into the darkness and wondered how many nights he’d stayed awake, watching sleep until morning, carrying all that pain alone.
Lewis... let be the one to protect you this ti.
I eased out of bed and moved like a shadow, careful not to disturb him. My feet barely made a sound on the floor.
Amber was involved. I could feel it in my bones. And if she was tied to Vito and his brother, then this wasn’t just bad luck. This was a circle tightening.
I thought about going to Theo. But if Theo knew, Lewis would know too.
And Lewis would burn everything down before I could finish breathing.
So I chose soone else.
In the quiet of the night, I called Julian.
It had been a long ti since we talked like this. He still sent ssages sotis checking in, asking if I was okay. I almost never replied. Not because I hated him.
Because I had moved on.
And because so bonds, once broken, leave scars that still ache in the rain.
Before, I was always the one reaching out, begging for a little attention. He answered when he felt like it.
Now it was the opposite.
It was past 4 a.m. for , but it was still daylight where he was. The phone rang once, twice then he picked up fast.
"Ch Aunt Elena?" He tried to keep his voice low, but I heard the excitent anyway.
"Is it a good ti to talk?" I whispered.
"Yeah," he said quickly. "Go ahead."
"Julian, I need your help to look into soone. And this can’t get out. Not even to Lewis."
There was a pause. I could almost hear his mind running.
"Are you and Lewis fighting?" he asked, careful... hopeful.
I shut that door imdiately. "No."
Then Julian rushed in like he wanted to plant a seed. "Aunt Elena, there’s sothing I haven’t told you. Uncle Lewis and that Dolton woman have been getting too cozy in Jaford."
I held back a tired sigh. "I know. I’ve t Tiffany."
His breath hitched.
"But I need you to look into her aunt," I added. "Amber."
Julian went quiet again. When he spoke, the teasing was gone. "Are you in trouble?"
"Yes," I said softly. "If you’re willing to help."
He didn’t hesitate. "Tell what you need."
I could hear it in his voice guilt. The kind that doesn’t fade, no matter how much ti passes. Julian still blad himself for what happened to . And maybe that was why he moved fast.
Too fast.
Because Lewis had barely left for work when Julian arranged to et .
eting an ex again was... strange. Not romantic. Not dramatic.
Just strange.
Julian had clearly put effort into how he looked. He seed healthier than the last ti I saw him. His hair was neat, his suit crisp, and he wore the cologne I used to like. Like he was trying to walk backward into a life that no longer existed.
When I entered, he stood up too quickly, nervous.
"Elena," he said, voice rough.
I sat down without ceremony. He had already ordered coffee and desserts everything I used to pick without thinking.
"Thanks," I said, polite but distant.
Julian didn’t waste ti pretending. He leaned forward. "I know the Doltons saved Lewis’s life. But now you’re suspicious of them. You’re worried Lewis will get caught in the middle, so you want my help. Right?"
"That’s right," I said. "If Amber is involved in my death, it ties back to everything. And there’s sothing else I discovered."
Julian’s eyes sharpened. "What?"
"Amber doesn’t an harm to Lewis," I said slowly. "At least, not directly. I think there’s more to it than a life debt."
I kept my voice steady. "I’m hiding this from Lewis for now. I’ll tell him once I have proof."
Julian’s face flickered disappointnt, then a bitter little smile. "You really are looking out for him."
"He’s my mate," I said simply, letting the word sit between us like a line nobody should cross. "Of course I’m looking out for him."
Julian exhaled, regret in his eyes. "I’m jealous of him," he admitted. "But I’ll help you. No matter what."
I took a sip of coffee, then asked the question that had been itching in my mind. "Have you seen Camilla around Snowville?"
Julian’s jaw tightened. "No. It’s like she vanished. No one knows where she went."
"Be careful," I warned. "Silas is dead. Lincy is gone. She’s going to bla us for all of it. She won’t let it go."
A cold look crossed Julian’s face. "I’d be worried if she didn’t show up. She’s the reason we’re in this ss."
He stopped himself before he said more, but we both knew the truth.
It wasn’t only Camilla.
It was choices. His choices. My choices. Pain stacked on pain until everything collapsed.
Julian changed the topic too fast. "Is Lewis treating you well?"
I nodded. "Very well."
His eyes dropped for a second. "I can see that." He forced a smile. "It’s good... as long as you’re happy."
"It doesn’t have to be like this, Julian," I said quietly. "Sera cares about you. Don’t spend your whole life chasing sothing far away when the person you need is right in front of you."
Julian’s gaze lifted, intense. "Elena, I’ll never love anyone else."
I shook my head. "But Sera is carrying your child."
He stiffened.
I had heard it from Fiona. That night at the Hales’ place... it happened. And if my counting was right, Sera would start showing soon.
Julian’s voice turned sharp. "That child was part of her plan. You know she drugged . I’ll never love a woman who tries to trap ."
I let out a slow breath. This wasn’t my problem to solve.
"Well," I said, setting my cup down, "I’ll leave that to you."
Julian nodded, swallowing whatever he wanted to say. "Don’t worry. I’ll look into Amber."
"Thanks," I said, standing.
"Elena," he blurted, "it’s been so long. Can’t you stay a little longer?"
I didn’t look back. "No. Even though you’re his nephew, my mate would still get jealous."
I softened it with a small apology. "Sorry."
I walked away, feeling his disappointnt behind like a hand that never quite touched my shoulder.
You brought this on yourself, Julian.
Not long after, Riley called.
"Hey, sis," she said quickly. "Whitney is trying on wedding dresses today with Vito. It’s at the Pearsons’ bridal store. I’m heading there now. I’ll see if I can talk to her alone."
"Be careful," I said imdiately.
"I’m fine," Riley replied, confident as always. "There are staff everywhere. It’s not like she’ll bite. I’ll send you pictures soon."
"Okay," I said. "Call if anything feels off."
I hung up and stopped by a nearby store to pick up ingredients.
It hit on the way ho that I’d never cooked Lewis a real al. Not one made with intention. Not one where I stood in the kitchen and poured love into a pot like it could protect him.
So I picked dishes I knew he liked and sent him a ssage.
He replied soon after.
Baby, I have a few things to handle this afternoon, but I’ll try to co ho early.
Okay. I’ll wait for you, I typed back.
At ho, I started prepping. Chopping, washing, seasoning. Trying to focus on normal things.
Then my phone buzzed with a series of ssages.
Riley.
Pictures. Lots of them.
Whitney stood in a flawless white wedding gown. The train swept along the floor, expensive and heavy. She held a bouquet while Vito, sharp in his suit, lifted her veil gently.
The way he looked at her was full of feeling deep, possessive, certain.
Like he wasn’t just marrying her.
Like he was claiming her.
Whitney didn’t et his eyes. Her gaze stayed stuck on his bow tie, like she was trying not to panic, trying to survive the mont without showing fear.
My stomach twisted.
And then I saw it.
The ring on Vito’s hand.
Platinum. On his middle finger.
My mind went blank for a second, like my instincts had slapped the air out of .
Because I had seen that ring before.
At the airport. In the black car Amber climbed into.
The man inside had worn the exact sa ring.
My fingers went cold around my phone.
So Vito was the man.
And Amber wasn’t just circling us.
They were connected.
They were in this together.
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