Elena’s POV Bella set her cup down and looked straight at Eric. “There’s something I want to ask you,” she said.” Eric didn’t answer right away. He watched her closely, as if weighing her words. “You sound serious,” he said. “What is it?” “I want the two of us to go for a vacation,” Bella replied. “Go somewhere quiet. Our old family house in the mountains. No people, no guards, just us..” Eric frowned slightly. “That place is far from Silver Crest,” he said. “And there’s nothing out there.” “That’s why it’s perfect,” she insisted. “We grew up there. It’s safe. We can think clearly and talk without everyone watching us.” My chest tightened as she spoke.Eric never traveled like that. Not without protection. Not without guards. Even when there was no threat, there were alw

