What are we now?
Elias
He didn't remember closing the door. Didn't remember walking back into the kitchen.
Only remembered the silence.
And the smell of her shampoo still clinging to the air.
And the way her fingers had trembled when they touched his.
She wasn't playing a game. She didn't even know how.
She'd looked at him like he was the only thing in the world keeping her steady—
And he let her walk out the door.
Because he thought that was the right thing to do.
Because he thought that was what she needed.
But what if he was wrong?
What if keeping her at arm's length wasn't protecting her—
What if it was hurting her more?
What if…What if she'd stopped knocking soon? Stopped waiting?
What if that look in her eyes— the one that said say something—
Was the last chance he'd get?
He ran a hand down his face. Then grabbed the keys.
He didn't think. Didn't plan.
He just moved.
Liana
She walked fast. Too fast.
Book pressed against her chest, like she was trying to hold in the ache.
She made it one block before her legs slowed.
Another before her throat tightened.
And by the third— She couldn't keep walking.
She stopped under a flickering streetlamp. Blinking too fast. Breathing too shallow.
It was fine.
She said what she needed to say.
He didn't push her away. But he didn't ask her to stay, either.
And maybe that was enough.
Maybe that was her answer.
But still—
Her fingers kept brushing the edge of the necklace.
Still there. Still his.
She heard the truck before she saw it.
Big. Loud. Familiar.
It turned the corner fast. Too fast.
Headlights caught her. Brakes hissed.
And then Elias was out of the truck before the door even fully opened.
He didn't say anything. Just stood there. Breathing hard.
Looking like he'd been running for years and had finally stopped.
She stared. So did he.
Then—
"Why did you come?" she asked, voice barely a whisper.
He walked toward her. Slow. Careful.
But his hands—
They were fists.
Like he was fighting something that wanted to break loose.
He stopped in front of her.
Then said— "I can't keep doing this."
Her chest tightened. "Doing what?"
He stared at her. Eyes raw. Voice low.
"Pretending I don't want you here."
His voice cracked slightly. "Pretending I'm okay without you."
Liana didn't move.
"I've been trying to be the good guy. To give you space. But I'm going out of my mind."
She looked up, eyes wide.
"Elias…"
He didn't kiss her. Didn't even raise a hand to her face.
He just reached forward—
And pulled her into his chest.
His arms wrapped around her tight. Too tight.
Like if he let go, the whole world might shatter.
Her cheek pressed against his shoulder.
She heard his heartbeat. Fast. Hard. Terrified.
"Just give me a second," he whispered. "Just let me hold you like this. Just once."
She nodded. Didn't speak.
Her arms circled his back slowly, carefully.
And for that one minute—
Neither of them said anything.
They just stood there. Holding on like it was all they had.
Like it was all they needed.