The door slammed shut behind Damon, leaving behind a silence so thick it felt suffocating. Elena stood frozen in place, her pulse hammering as she stared at the spot where he had just been. Her wrist still tingled where he had touched her, a phantom sensation that refused to fade. Liam’s voice broke through the tension. “You’re not actually thinking of going back, are you?” Elena tore her gaze away from the door, guilt washing over her at the concern in Liam’s eyes. “I—” She hesitated, unsure of what to say. She wanted to tell him she wasn’t considering it, that she was done with Damon Blackwell. But was she? Liam let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Elena, you left for a reason. You can’t just let him pull you back in.” She wrapped her arms around herself,

