Chapter b98 /b

bElena’s /bbPOV/bb: /b

He didn’te over

Even though I could feel his gaze like a brand against my skin–burning, crawling under the fabric of my hoodie, prying into my sand—he didn’t approach the car instead, after a moment that felt like it stretched too long, he turned away

Niki gave the chi one final look, and then slipped into the back of his ck, the door shutting with a muted thur.

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I saw his convoy drive off, tres crunching against the asphalt. The tension that had but up in my chest didn’t release though,

Mkai exhaled beside me, his hand still on the steering wheel, lingers s drumming lightly. “Alright. Alright. Don’t worry. I get it.”

His tone was calm, easy even–but there bwas /bsomething behind the words that made my skin itch.

I nced sideways at him, uncertain. Did he really get it? Or was he just saying that to bpacify /bme? He didn’t bposh/b, and for that I was grateful, but something about the way his eyes lingered on me made it clear, he didn’t buy my exnation. Notpletely

And somehow, that made me even more irritated,

Ughh.

The rest of the ride passed in a quiet blur of traffic lights and shifting shadows. I bleaned /bmy head against the cool ss window, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my sleeve. The ache in my abdomen pulsed steadily, a low, throbbing reminder of everything I was trying not to think about.

Eventually, we pulled up in front of my house.

“I really appreciate this, I bsaid /bsoftly, pulling the strap of my rucksack over my shoulder. “Thanks for driving me. Really.”

Mkai nced bat /bme and smiled. “It’s no problem. You don’t look like you should bemuting alone right now.”

I bgave /bhim a weak smile and unlocked my phone. “Here. I’ll add you on WhatsApp. Just… if you ever need anything, feel free to reach out, alright?”

His brow lifted in mild bamusement/b. “You sure? I might take you up on that offer.”

“Totally” I mean, he really did help me a lot today.

A few tapster, his contact was saved: I moved to get out, but bpaused/b. “Oh–and tell Seraphina I’m sorry I missed her, I’d bbe /bhappy to meet upter. She can call me whenever she’s free.”

Mksi nodded, “Don’t worry, I’m sure she won’t mind. I’ll give her your number. You two can connect.”

We exchanged a few more polite words–nothing too deep, just surface level niceties–and then he rolled up the window, offering ba /bcasual wave as his

car pulled away.

I stood there a moment longer than necessary, bstaring /bat the retreating taillights until they disappeared around the corner

Then I turned toward the building and made bmy /bway up the steps. My legs felt heavier with each one I climbed. The ache in my pelvis red again, sharp band /bbiting this time, and I winced, pressing ba /bpain against my lower abdomen.

bInside/b, the moment the door creaked open, I heard her voice.

“Elena?”

The sound of my mother’s voice sliced through the house like a de.

She was in the living room, her tone sharp and filled with something I couldn’t quite ce imitation? Concern? Maybe both?

throwned and quickened my steps despite the pain.

“I’m here,” I called back, tossing my bag onto the bench by the entrance

When I stepped into the living rooms, Fraze.

She was standing, arms crossed over her chest, eyes scanning me withser precision. She looked me up and down like I’d grown another head.

“What happened?” Lasked, trying to sound casual

“Where were you?” she shot back immediately. “Wend who was that dropping you oft

Her tone wasn’t just stern–it was cold. Suspicious,

I hesitated. My fingers cubed around the hem of my hoodie, Was she looking out through the window?

“Mom….. he was bjust /ba friend,”

The words came out brushed/b, and even to my own ears, they sounded weak. Half–baked. But what else could I say? Telling her the full truth felt… impossible.

She raised one elegant brow. “Another older rich guy?”

The usation bwas /bbsharp/b,ced with unspoken implications. I blinked at her. The words hit me with a dull thud, and for a moment, I just stood there- dumbfounded.

Then realization crept in like a cold tide, and my chest tightened.

“No–God, no. Mom“I sighed, running a hand down my face. “His name is Mkai. I was meeting with him because his sister–Seraphina wanted to

meet me”

Her expression didn’t solen.

“Seraphina,” Temphasized again, my tone firmer now. “As in Seraphina Legacy. Matakai Legacy is her brother”

That made her pause. Her brow furrowed slightly, lips pressing together. I could see her running the name through her mental files. But then-

b“/bbYou /bmet with Niki?” she asked.

Her voice bwas /bcalm, but the usation underneath it nearly made me finch

She hadn’t even registered the bSeraphina /bpart.

My heart stuttered.

Yeah, Mom. I met with him. Right after finding out I’m pregnant. Right after my life fell bapart /bbagain/b.

“But I couldn’t say that

Should I be? Should I keep this from her too?

Was about to repeat the same cycle of silenceb, /band secrets all over again?

“I didn’t meet him, okay?” I said quickly, cutting her off before the disappointment in her face became too much to bear. “I was going to meet Seraphina onlyb. /bEven her brother was supposed to leave, but she got held up. So we had coffee, and he dropped me off because I was…”

Thesitated.

lesling bsick/bb. /b

She straightened instantly, “you were sick?” Her gaze snapped down my body again, this time not with suspicion, but concert –

that I see it you do look pale

Texhaled hard and threw my arms out. “Exactly. Do you think I’d wear this “I gestured to my hoodie and red jeans,” I were going on a da some older rich guy?”

My tone wasced with sarcas?n, but Mom didn’tugh.ulliHer lips pressed into a thin line./li/ul

“Winght,” she said slowly. “I was wrong. How are you feeling now?”

Ishrugged. “Just peachy, Mom. Heel wonderful?

I turned to leave, but her voice rang out behind me, sharp,

“Llenab, /b

I paused at the base of the stairs

“I’m alright, okay?” I said without itu /iround. “Don’t worry, I didn’t eat breakfast, that’s ball/b. I got dizzy. Now’t need to go study. Exams start

tomorrow.

There was a long silence behind me, bbut /bshe didn’t follow.

I took the stairs two at a time, heart pounding blouder /bwith every step.

Because I wasn’t alright. Not even close

I was three weeks along. And the clock was ticking.

Eight weeks. That’s what I had. Maybe less.

In my room, I bstripped /bboff /bthe bhoodle /band stepped into the bathroom, running the water until it turned hot and steamy. I stood under the spray for what felt like hours, letting it scald away the ache in my muscles.

When I emerged, wrapped in a towel, the room felt cold. Empty. Too quiet. I forced myself to not look at Niki’s clothes that hung inside my closet. His night button down that was kept folded against mine. I forced myself to forget all the memones bwe /bbhad /bmade in this room in the past month

I sat at my desk and cracked open my notes. The words swam on the page. Thighlighted sentences I hadn’t memorized. I re–read the same paragraph five

times.

Eventually, the night passed.

The next morning. I pulled bon /bmy F1 red and ck varsity jacket. The one bI /bused to wear when I bwanted /bto feel a little tougher than I was. ck bjeans/b.

I braided my hair, tugging it into a bun and jamming another baseball cap over my head,

No makeup. No cute skirts. No perfume.

Hooked into the mirror, adjusting the cap bagain /bto hide the bdark /bcrescents under my eyes.

Fuck dressing up.

Seriously

A week ago, I wore dresses to school, Luxurious pieces, designer stuff from the closet Niki had stocked for me.

11’s not like I didn’t have these 1901 did. Kept in the wardrobe separately. But I didn’t want to wear anything a b ?of /bhim at this point..

So now practically looked like I was homeless.

And maybe I was…because to me a home had always been with the people I loved.

?