CHAPTER 48: THE ONE WHO SHOULDN’T EXIST

Nothing happened.

Exactly nothing.

Elias, who had been frozen for a split second, suddenly burst into laughter. The sound echoed down the hallway, loud, amused, and just a bit unhinged.

"What is this?" he cackled, pulling his arm slightly but not breaking the link. "Is he refusing to come out now? Silent treatment?"

Then, with a mocking tilt of his head and a sly grin, "Or maybe... you should try hugging instead?"

His eyes gleamed with mischief as he leaned in a little closer, clearly enjoying this twisted game. "Come on, Daisy. I’m starting to think he doesn’t like you as much as you thought."

Daisy’s forehead creased, his words striking deeper than she expected.

’He doesn’t like you as much as I thought.’ They echoed cruelly in her mind.

"I guess so..." she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible. But even as she said it, her mind raced, trying to find a way to pull Theo back.

A few steps away, Marla let out a long, quiet sigh. She had been watching closely, and for a moment, when Daisy reached out and touched him, she really thought it would work. That maybe Theo was still close, just beneath the surface. That... maybe he just needed her.

She glanced at Elias, who was smiling like a devil in disguise and at that moment she could feel a chill slide down her spine.

’Please... don’t let that be true’

, she thought. ’Don’t let his words be something Theo actually feels. Because what if... what if he really doesn’t want to come back anymore?’

Suddenly removing her hand from his arm, Daisy looked up at him, her voice trembling, "Are you seriously going to leave me?"

Elias tilted his head slightly, then gave a small shrug. "Yes."

"Theo Kingsley..." She called his name softly, before closing the distance between them. "Theo..."

"What are you doing?" Elias instantly raised a finger and pushed it to her forehead, "Don’t even think of it... it won’t work anymore..."

But Daisy ignored, she pushed his finger away from her forehead and snuggled for an embrace.

Elias stiffened, clearly caught off guard. "Hey—Girl," he muttered, but his voice cracked just slightly, like a wire pulled too tight. "I said it won’t work anymore."

She didn’t let go.

Her arms stayed wrapped around him firmly, as if she could hold Theo in place just by trying hard enough, as if whatever memory they held could break through whatever wall he’d built.

"You don’t get to decide that," she whispered against his shoulder. "Not you."

For a long moment, nothing happened. No response. Not even a twitch.

She furrowed her brows, resting her head on his chest.

"What is it?" she mumbled under her breath. Not skin ship, not a hug... Her thoughts trailed off... until something suddenly clicked.

She pulled away, staring at his face.

"What? What?!" Elias flinched, trying to pull her hands off his body. "Don’t tell me you’re going to kiss me?!"

Daisy didn’t answer. Her eyes locked onto his, as if searching for something beneath the surface.

"Are you seriously considering it?" he gasped, scandalized. "Woman! Consent!"

But she leaned in anyway, not out of romance, but desperation.

"I’m sorry," she said softly, "but I don’t have time to play nice."

Elias squirmed. "You are going to kiss me—!"

"No," she whispered, pausing just a breath away. "I’m calling him back."

Daisy tiptoed, slowly leaning in, her eyes half-closed in focus.

"Absolutely not."

Elias pushed a palm over her mouth as a last option to stop her.

"Personal space, woman!" he yelped, pushing her forehead back with dramatic flair. "This isn’t Sleeping Beauty! You can’t just kiss people and hope they wake up with better personalities!"

Daisy stumbled a step back, blinking. "Did you just push me?"

"I panicked!" Elias slapped a hand over his mouth. "I didn’t know women these days were this bold!"

"Not just any woman. I’m his wife," she snapped, stepping forward again. "So maybe cooperate... this body was never yours to begin with."

Elias raised an eyebrow, his smirk faltering.

She wasn’t done. Her voice dropped, low and sharp, "You shouldn’t even exist in the first place."

The silence that followed was heavy.

For the first time, Elias didn’t have a quick retort. He simply looked at her, and something shifted behind his eyes, a flicker of anger.

"Ouch," he finally muttered, forcing out a laugh. "That was... impressively cruel. I almost felt that."

Daisy didn’t look away. "Good. Because I meant it."

He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck, the teasing edge in his tone fading. "You really want him back that badly?"

"I didn’t come this far to talk to a parasite wearing his face."

That hit.

His expression shifted.

Silence stretched between them before his lips curled again, only this time, the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"Well then," Elias said quietly, voice dropping low. "You should prepare yourself."

Daisy’s heart skipped.

"Because you’ll never see Theo Kingsley again," he whispered, stepping closer, eyes gleaming with something dangerous. "Why? Because I exist. And the more you fight it... the deeper he sinks."

He turned abruptly and slammed the elevator button with the side of his fist.

"Where are you going?!" Daisy grabbed his arm, panic flashing in her voice.

But Elias yanked his arm free and shot her a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "Marla," he snapped without looking at Daisy again, "you should be the one telling her who I am... and what I’m capable of."

His voice lowered, but the chill in it remained. "Instead of standing there hoping she’ll pull him back, maybe it’s time you accepted he’s not coming. He doesn’t want to."

Marla stepped forward, her face slightly pale. "Miss Sinclair..." she said gently, stopping just in front of her. "Let him go. It’s okay..."

"No. I’m not going to." Daisy snapped, glaring at Elias.

But the elevator dinged, cutting the tension like a blade.

"What’s this?" a familiar voice chimed in and Liam stepped out of the elevator, smiling. "Didn’t expect such a warm welcome..."