Elena's POV
He didn't say a word at all after what happened.Not on the ride to the airport. Not on the jet. Not even a glance.
Just because I dared to take a single step toward him. One step that apparently cost me everything. I don't know why I did that. Really regretting it.
The rest of the trip felt like punishment. Cold silence. Invisible walls. And me, back to being a stranger in the life I was supposed to belong to.
When we landed, he didn't wait.
He didn't check up on me. Didn't know why I expected it
He didn't even ask if I got home safe.
He just disappeared into his world of boardrooms and billion-dollar problems, leaving me behind like I didn't matter.
Because I don't, do I?
The drive back from the airport felt eternal. I was alone in the car, just the chauffeur and I, and the silence was too loud. Every passing street, every familiar turn toward our home felt colder than it used to. Or maybe it was me that changed. I stared out the window, blinking back the tight sting forming at the back of my eyes.
By the time we pulled into the house, I was completely numb. The butler greeted me with a polite bow, offered me tea, and asked if I needed anything.
I shook my head. "No, thank you. I just need to be alone."
And alone I was.
I wandered around the house aimlessly for a while, kicking off my shoes and wrapping myself in a thin shawl. I sat by the window in the guest lounge, hugging my knees to my chest.
How could everything fall apart so quickly?
We were doing fine. Weren't we? How did I fall in love so quick?? Maybe it was because of the Paris Trip .
Dinner under the Eiffel Tower, the soft music, the warmth of his jacket over my shoulders… It had felt real. For a moment, it had felt like something more. Like he saw me.
But the second I moved closer, his walls came crashing down. Hard.
I picked up my phone and scrolled through our chat.
No new messages. No missed calls. No explanation. Just absence.
I was really moved to text him and guess what I did!!
I typed something, then erased it.
"Hey. Hope everything's okay…"
Too casual. I deleted it.
"I didn't mean to make things awkward last night."
Too needy. I deleted it.
"Are we okay?"
Too vulnerable. I deleted it.
I sighed.
Typed again.
"You left without saying anything. I know you had work, but… I wish you'd said something. Anything."
And again… I deleted it.
Because what's the point?
I locked my phone and let it drop to the floor beside me. I leaned my head back against the chair and closed my eyes, trying to still the chaotic thoughts racing through my mind.
Time passed. I didn't know how much. The sky darkened, and night crept in, washing the room in a deep blue shadow.
Still, no sign of him.
I checked the time.
11:48 PM.
I turned on the TV just for noise, flipping through channels mindlessly. Nothing stuck. Nothing felt right.
The longer I waited, the heavier my chest felt.
Was I too forward?
Was it really so bad that I looked at him like I meant it?
Like I saw something worth believing in?
Eventually, exhaustion pulled at my limbs, but I didn't move. I couldn't bring myself to go upstairs. I wanted to see him. I wanted to know if he'd even look at me.
I pushed the pillows off the chair myself and curled up on the armchair. I tucked my knees to my chest and stared at the flickering screen of the television until everything blurred.
I don't remember falling asleep.
But I must have.
Because when I opened my eyes again, the TV was off. The room was silent. A soft light glowed from the side lamp,and the curtain opened indicating that it was morning.
There was a pillow beneath my head.
A warm blanket carefully laid over my shoulders.
My heart skipped.
I sat up slowly, scanning the room.
Empty.
I stood and moved quickly to the staircase, heart pounding. I pushed open our bedroom door.
No one.
The bed was still made.
Untouched.
I turned back around and nearly ran into the butler.
He blinked, startled. "Mrs. Shawn. Good morning. I was just coming to wake you."
"What time is it?" I asked, rubbing sleep from my eyes.
"Almost 9:00 AM. Mr. Shawn came by around five this morning. He retrieved a file and left immediately. Said he wouldn't be back until late."
I stared at him, heart racing. "He didn't say anything else?"
The butler paused, thoughtful. "Just that you were asleep. He said not to disturb you. And that you should rest."
I nodded slowly.
Back in the room, I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the pillow I had used, still warm from earlier.
He'd seen me sleeping.
He'd covered me.
It didn't mean much. I told myself that.
But why did it still feel like something? My heart started beating fast!! OMG!!! I can feel butterflies in my stomach
I buried my face in my hands, tears stinging my eyes, but I didn't let them fall.
No.
Not again.
I stood and walked toward the mirror. My face was tired, my eyes hollow, but I lifted my chin.
"He's just a man," I whispered. "Not a god. Not a ghost. Just a man who doesn't know how to love."
I turned away and faced the window.
"I won't wait tonight."
But I knew I was lying.
Because no matter what he said or did… part of me was still hoping.
That maybe, one day, he'd see me not as a pawn.
But as the woman who refused to break.
Even when he disappeared into silence.
Even when he left me waiting in the dark.
A woman who was capable of loving him.