Chapter 76
Liora~
When her mom asked if she’d eaten lunch, Liora felt the tension drain out of her shoulders.
She didn’t sound angry at all. Not about Liora sneaking away Saturday morning, not about the whole weekend spent with Daddy and Aunt Sienna.
Relief washed over her.
See? She knew her mom would never actually be mad at her!
Her mom loved her too much to stay upset about something like that.
But then Liora thought about something else, something she’d noticed over the past few days.
Her mom hadn’t been calling her every single day like she used to. Hadn’t been texting constantly asking where she was, what she was doing, if she needed anything.
Before, it used to be multiple calls a day. Morning check-ins, afternoon texts, evening calls before bed.
Sometimes it felt like… a lot.
Like her mom was always worried, always hovering, always needing to know everything.
But lately? Her mom had been quieter. Less clingy.
And honestly? Liora kind of liked it.
It felt more grown-up. More independent.
Like her mom was finally trusting her to be okay on her own, instead of treating her like a baby who needed constant supervision.
Yeah, this was definitely better.
Her mom was changing, and Liora thought it was a good thing.
A really good thing.
ELODIE’S POV~
I didn’t ask where they’d been.
Didn’t want to picture it, the three of them together, laughing, being the family I could never seem to make us.
After Liora and I talked about school for a few minutes, safe territory, nothing that would hurt, I told her I loved her and hung up.
Then I sat there at my desk, staring at nothing, trying to convince myself I was okay.
Johnny stopped by later. “Tech exhibition’s tomorrow. You ready?” He said.
I looked up. “Yeah. Should we meet here and go together p>
“Sounds good. Eight-thirty work for you p>
“Perfect p>
Finally. Something that mattered. Something that was mine.
The next morning, I left early to beat traffic.
I was maybe twenty minutes into the drive when the car started making this awful grinding noise.
My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing something wrong before I even fully processed it.
Then the engine just died.
I managed to get partly onto the shoulder, but I was still blocking half a lane, and within seconds I heard tires screaming behind me.
The impact jolted me forward hard against my seatbelt.
Then another crash. And another.
My heart was pounding, my wolf instincts screaming danger, and I forced myself to breathe, to think, to move.
I got out on shaking legs.
Three cars behind me, all crumpled together. Drivers already climbing out, faces red with rage.
“Are you kidding me p>
“What the hell were you thinking p>
“You just stopped in the middle of the goddamn road p>
“I’m sorry,” I called out, my voice barely carrying. “I’m so sorry, the car just died, I didn’t p>
But they weren’t listening. Just kept yelling while I fumbled for my phone with trembling hands.
I called roadside assistance.
*“Your estimated wait time is forty to fifty minutes p>
No. No, no, no.
The exhibition started in less than an hour.
My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t get enough air. This couldn’t be happening. Not today. Not when I finally had something good, something important, something that was mine.
I quickly dialed Johnny. “My car broke down. There was an accident. I’m okay but I’m stuck, you guys need to go without me p>
“What? Elodie, we can wait p>
“No.” My voice cracked slightly. “Don’t. This is going to take forever. Just go. I’ll get there when I can p>
“Let me send someone to pick you up p>
“It’ll take too long with this traffic. Just go. Please p>
“Okay. But text me the second you’re on your way p>
I hung up and just stood there on the side of the road, watching cars inch past, listening to angry drivers still shouting at me.
Everything I touched fell apart.
Everything.
By the time I dealt with the police report, the tow truck, all of it, the exhibition would be over. I’d miss Professor Nolan. Miss everything.
“Car trouble p>
I looked up sharply.
Harrison. Harrison, standing there with a coffee cup, having apparently crossed from the other side of the street.
Of course. Because my humiliation needed witnesses from Dante’s inner circle.
“What are you doing here?” The exhaustion in my voice was impossible to hide.
“Getting coffee.” He nodded toward a café behind him. “Saw the accident. You alright p>
“Car’s dead. I’m fine p>
He looked at my car, at the traffic, at the other drivers still glaring at me. “Where were you headed p>
“Tech exhibition at the convention center.” I couldn’t keep the defeat out of my voice. “Or I was. I work for Cole Corporation now p>
Something flickered across his face, surprise, maybe. “The tech exhibition? I’m headed there too. Wilson Group is presenting p>
Perfect. Of course Dante’s company would be there. Of course I couldn’t have this one thing without his world bleeding into it.
“Great,” I said flatly.
My phone buzzed in my hand just as I finished speaking with Harrison, my entire mouth tasted bitter just by merely responding to his words. I had no interest in speaking to any of them.
Johnny: Elodie, did you get help yet? We’re almost there but I can turn around*
I quickly typed back.
Me: Yes, someone’s handling it. Go ahead, I’m getting a ride. Will be there soon
Three dots appeared immediately.
Johnny: You sure? I don’t want you stuck out there
Me: I’m sure. Don’t wait for me
Johnny: Who’s giving you the ride? Want me to send Marcus back to get you instead?
I hesitated, my thumb hovering over the screen. I really didn’t want to bother him right now. Telling him that one of Dante’s friends had made an appearance right beside me would make Johnny agitated and he would be concerned and would try driving over and I didn’t want that. I could handle this.
Me: Got it covered. Just save me a seat. I’ll explain later*
Johnny: Okay but text me when you’re 10 minutes out. And if anything changes*
Me: I will. Promise
Johnny: Alright. Be safe
I pocketed my phone just as Harrison finished his call and walked back over.