Elena's POV
He didn't say a word. Just turned and walked away. And for a moment, everything went quiet.
I rushed into my room and called Julian. He came over without hesitation. I told him everything—every word Damian said.
Julian pulled me into his arms, holding me like he never wanted to let go. But then he looked at me—there was something serious in his eyes, something he had been holding back.
"To be honest, Elena… I was the one who pulled you out of that accident."
I pulled back slightly, my heart skipping. "Wait… what? Why didn't you tell me?"
He sighed. "I only found out recently. I didn't know it was you back then."
"Oh my God… it's been you all this while," I said, my voice soft with disbelief and gratitude.
I hugged him—tight, not wanting to let go. For a moment, it felt like everything made sense.
It was on a Monday when Sebastian called, telling me he'd come to pick me up so we could meet with the board members. Just then, I heard a loud noise from the kitchen. I knew Aunt Vivian wasn't around, so I went to check.
As I walked out, my phone rang—it was Julian. I picked it. But before I could say a word, I froze.
Right there in front of me was Vanessa… holding a gun. And beside her stood Amira, arms folded, eyes burning with hate.
The phone slipped from my hand and crashed to the floor.
"I told you to leave him, bitch, but you didn't listen," Vanessa said, pointing the gun straight at me.
I raised my hands in the air, shutting my eyes.
"I'm sorry… but he said there was nothing between the two of you," I said, panicking.
"Ohhh," Amira cut in. "So you got surgery, whore? I thought those idiots I told to teach you a lesson would accomplish the assignment but they didn't.
You might need another one by the end of today. Actually—" she laughed, "—there's no point having a scar. You'll be dead in the next ten minutes."
It happened that Amira was the one who sent the two men who tried to rape me.
Amira slapped me hard, again and again. Then she kicked me in the stomach. I started bleeding from my mouth.
"You think I don't know you're trying to get back with Damian?" she hissed.
I fell to the ground, but she dragged me back up. Vanessa took a step forward and raised the gun again. I cried so hard. Maybe I really am unfortunate. Just when I found people who cared… just when my life was finally making sense.
When Vanessa was about to pull the trigger, I shut my eyes, turning away.
There was a gunshot.
But… it wasn't me.
I opened my eyes and touched my body—nothing. I looked down and saw Sebastian on the ground. He had taken the bullet. He was there, struggling for his life.
"No! What did you do, Sebastian? Why?" I screamed, falling to my knees beside him.
I held his head on my thigh, trembling, broken.
Then the police arrived. Julian had heard everything and called them right away. They raised their guns on Vanessa and Amira.
But Sebastian... my dear Sebastian, he was slipping away.
"Ele...na," he whispered, forcing the words out. "I don't regret this. I'm just glad... you're okay. I love you."
He gave a weak smile.
Then he closed his eyes… and let go.
They dragged Vanessa and Amira out, still screaming and cursing. I didn't even hear what they were saying. Everything felt blurry. All I could focus on was Sebastian's face—motionless, pale, and silent.
Julian rushed in, breathless, his eyes landing on me… on Sebastian.
"No…" he muttered, coming to my side. "Elena…"
I couldn't speak. I just shook my head over and over, holding Sebastian like letting go would make it real. Julian bent down next to me, his hand resting on my back as I cried harder.
The paramedics came, but it was too late.
"He's gone," one of them said quietly.
I stood up slowly, my hands covered in blood—his blood. My legs felt weak, my chest empty. Julian held me up before I collapsed.
"Come on," he whispered. "You need to get checked."
I nodded, not because I agreed, but because I couldn't fight anymore.
They put Sebastian's body in a black bag.
That image will never leave me.
I lost him.
All over again.
Julian carried me to his house, cleaned me up, carefully laying me on his bed. Everything was quiet and calm, but my mind wouldn't stop replaying the events. Sebastian saved me, but he didn't survive.
Julian slept on the couch in his room, keeping a close watch over me. I stared at him for a while before I drifted off into a restless sleep.
But then, the nightmare hit. I saw Sebastian dying, his life slipping away in front of me. I woke up suddenly, gasping, drenched in sweat, tears streaming down my face. My body trembled with the weight of it all.
Julian was there instantly, pulling me into his arms. "Hey… hey, it's okay," he whispered softly, kissing my forehead. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," he muttered, his voice full of guilt and regret.
We stayed like that, holding each other until the trembling stopped, and I fell back into a quiet sleep.
The next morning, I woke up to the smell of food. Julian was by the bed, holding a tray with scrambled eggs, toast, and milk. "Hey, you're awake," he said gently, setting the tray down. "I made you something."
I couldn't bring myself to eat. The pain still lingered, and the food just sat there, untouched. I stared at it, unable to move.
Julian sat beside me, taking my hand in his. "Elena, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."
I shook my head, my voice trembling as I spoke. "Sebastian was my betrothed. He loved me from the start. I left him, and now he's gone. He tried to fix everything, to get back what was stolen from me. And he paid the price… with his life."
Julian's eyes softened as he squeezed my hand. "You know Sebastian wouldn't want you to feel like this, right?"
"I know," I whispered, my voice breaking. "He was good to me. I shouldn't have let him go."