The sun peeked behind clouds as Aiden walked toward the library — the same place he had found her days ago. But today felt different.
He wasn't just watching her anymore.
He was… hoping she'd be waiting.
And she was.
Elena sat on the steps outside, reading again — but her eyes weren't focused. Her smile wasn't there. Her posture was tense.
"You're late," she said gently as he walked up.
"Was I supposed to be early?" he replied with a faint smirk.
"No," she whispered. "But I was hoping you'd come."
They sat together under the tree again. The silence between them wasn't awkward — it was thick. Like she was hiding something too.
---
Elena looked down at her hands.
"Can I tell you something?" she asked, not looking at him.
"Always," he said.
She took a shaky breath.
"Everyone thinks my life is perfect because I'm from a noble family.
But I was never really… seen. Not by my parents. Not by anyone."
Aiden looked at her — his heart tightening.
"They send me money, but they don't send love.
And when I help orphans, it's not because I pity them.
It's because I was one… emotionally."
Her voice cracked.
"I smile because if I don't… I'll break."
Aiden didn't know what to say. He reached out — not to speak, not to fix, just… to let her know she wasn't alone.
Their fingers touched.
For a moment… the world slowed.
"You're not broken," he whispered. "You're just… honest."
Elena looked at him.
"And what about you, Aiden?"
"Who do you smile for?"
He hesitated.
"I don't," he said. "But I think… I could learn."
Their eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between them — not love yet, but the ache of two souls finally understanding each other.
---
That Night
Aiden stared at the ceiling of his cold, empty room.
"She's hurting… just like me."
He pulled out a crumpled paper — the one with the countdown.
Day Six — Complete.
Only one day left.
"I don't want tomorrow to come," he whispered.
But he knew… it would.
---
End of Chapter 7
To be continued…