Elena’s POV
Sunlight bled through the blinds, and for a single, fragile second, I pretended everything was normal. Then it hit me. The message. The meeting. Tomorrow is today.
My stomach dropped. The room seemed too bright, too sharp. My chest felt crushed beneath invisible weight. My heartbeat thudded against my throat, fast and uneven. Every thought screamed at once—what if it’s a trap, what if he’s dangerous, what if I don’t walk away from this.
I almost called Taylor. Just to hear him tell me not to go. But I already knew what he’d say: You’re stronger than you think, Elena. Take control.
I hated how often he was right.
I pressed my palms over my eyes and tried to breathe, but even the air felt heavy. The messages had already been haunting enough—vague, taunting, personal. Meeting
