“Now you can leave,” Elara said softly as she sat down on the sofa.

Her apartment was quiet, the faint hum of the city leaking in through the open window. Alax stood beside her, holding her bags. He set them carefully on the center table before taking a seat next to her.

“I’m going to take care of you from now on,” he said, turning toward her. He folded his legs and sat comfortably, eyes fixed on her.

“There’s no need,” Elara murmured, still avoiding his gaze.

“Elara,” Alax said gently, “I can’t leave you alone from now on. You don’t know how scared I was of losing you… Let me take care of you.”

She didn’t reply. Her expression was distant — lost somewhere in thought.

“Elara?” he pressed softly, placing a hand on her shoulder as if to bring her back.

“Hmm?” She looked up, blinking.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m okay,” she said, forcing a small smile.

“I think you should rest,” he said, standing. “Come on, let me take you to the bedroom.”

He reached for her hand, helping her to her feet. Elara tried to balance on one foot, but before she could protest, Alax gently pulled her into his arms and lifted her.

Her breath caught. For a moment, she simply looked at him — his face so close, his arms steady around her. She wasn’t sure if it was the warmth or the silence, but something in her chest began to stir.

Alax lay her carefully on the bed, adjusting the pillow behind her head. Elara’s gaze never left him. He pulled the blanket over her, his movements gentle, precise.

“Stop staring,” Alax said with a quiet laugh, glancing back at her.

“I’m not,” she replied, but her voice betrayed her.

He sat beside her, taking her hand in his. “What are you thinking about?” he asked softly, brushing her hair back with his other hand.

“I’m bothering you,” she whispered. “If your family finds out… You should go.”

“Elara,” he said firmly, his voice trembling slightly. “I don’t care anymore. That day in the woods — when you were lost — I was terrified. I couldn’t breathe. But the moment I saw you… I finally could.”

He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “That’s when I realized I can’t live without you.”

His voice broke as he whispered, “I love you, Elara. And now… I’m not afraid of anyone.”

Elara’s eyes softened as she saw the tears glistening in his. She reached up and brushed them away gently. “Why are you crying?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

“Don’t ever leave me,” he said quietly.

“I’m not dying this early,” she replied, a faint smile curling at her lips.

“Don’t say that word,” Alax said quickly. “If you do, I’ll be mad.”

“Fine, fine,” she laughed softly. “Now go make some food for me. I’m hungry.”

He chuckled, standing up from the bed. Leaning down once more, he kissed her forehead. “Take rest,” he said tenderly. “I’ll cook something delicious for you.”

As he left the room, Elara turned her face toward the pillow, her heart quietly trembling — not from pain this time, but from the warmth of being cared for. But even then, Elara was confused… torn between choosing Alax’s steady love and the complicated feelings she still had about Ronan.

“Come on, open your mouth,” Alax said softly, holding a spoon toward her lips.

Elara obeyed, letting him feed her another bite. “Thanks, Alax,” she murmured, watching him blow gently on the next spoonful to cool it down.

“Don’t say that again,” he said quietly, his tone suddenly serious. “I don’t like it.”

She blinked, confused. “Not because of this,” she said, opening her mouth again as he brought the spoon close.

“Then why?” he asked, puzzled.

“For not telling my dad,” She replied softly.

“That’s not a big deal,” Alax said, brushing it off.

“It’s late,” Elara said after a moment, glancing at the clock. “Aren’t you going back to your apartment?”

“No,” Alax replied, his voice steady. “I’m staying.”

“But your family — “

Before she could finish, Alax gently placed a finger on her lips. His eyes met hers, calm yet fierce. “This time, I’m not going to leave,” he said. “I’ll fight… and I’ll never leave your side again.”

After the forest incident, Alax had changed. He had become more attentive, more protective — his presence constant and reassuring, as if every breath he took was tied to hers.

“Are you okay?” Elara asked quietly, noticing the look in his eyes.

“What do you mean?” he replied, pouring water into a glass.

“You’re caring too much,” she said softly. “Last time when I sprained my ankle, you left with your father. Now you’re saying you won’t leave at all.”

Alax turned fully toward her then, his expression gentle but full of emotion. He reached out and took both her hands in his.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Sorry that I lied to you… about the flowers.”

Elara frowned slightly, watching him.

“I did it because it was needed,” he continued. “When you first came, I recognized you — the girl Ronan dropped flowers to. When you came to my school, people could’ve bullied you for being alone… for not being from a rich family. I lied because I wanted to protect you from that.”

Elara looked down, her fingers tightening around his. “If you hadn’t lied, we could still have been friends,” she said quietly.

He smiled faintly. “You didn’t even look at me from your desk, Elara. Would you really have ever looked around that classroom full of people? I knew you wouldn’t talk to me otherwise. So yes — I lied. But only once. After that… everything was real.”

He looked at her then, eyes glimmering with sincerity. “Every word, every smile, every moment — I meant it.”

For a long moment, silence filled the room. The air between them was warm, heavy with unspoken emotion.

“Let’s go outside when you’re fine,” Alax said, stacking the empty plates after dinner. “I’ll ask Ronan and his girlfriend, Lisa, to join us. We can have fun together.”

He carried the dishes to the sink and began rinsing them, the soft clatter of porcelain filling the quiet room. Elara sat at the dining table, watching him in silence. Something in her heart tugged — a thought she couldn’t ignore.

“You said… she’s his ex, right?” Elara finally asked, her voice hesitant.

Alax turned slightly, hands still moving under the running water. “They’re together again. Didn’t you see them during the camp? They were always talking — came together, left together.” He smiled faintly. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Elara’s heart sank a little. “But they broke up,” she said in a small, breaking voice. “Then how can…”

“For Ronan,” Alax said, drying his hands with a towel, “other girls are temporary. Only Lisa is permanent. They’ve been close since childhood — he’s always shared everything with her.”

Elara tried to smile, but her chest tightened.
 So all those words Ronan said… were they just lies?
 Was I the only one to fill the space when she wasn’t around?

Her thoughts blurred as Alax’s voice brought her back.

“I’ll ask Aria too — maybe she can join us,” Alax said casually.

“Alax,” Elara called softly. He turned. She was still sitting at the table, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the napkin. “Are you… Dating Aria?” she asked with a faint, nervous smile.

“Wait — what? Me, Aria, and?” Alax laughed. “No! How could you even think that?”

“You always go to meet her, so I thought…” Elara’s voice trailed off, her gaze falling to her lap.

Alax dried his hands completely, then walked toward her. He leaned down, gently turning her chair so she faced him. “Are you insecure about her?” he asked softly.

He pulled another chair close and sat in front of her. “Elara… you’re the only girl I’ve ever liked.”

Her breath caught as he tilted her chin upward with his fingers. His eyes lingered on hers, deep and earnest.

“Yes I Love you,” he whispered.

“you — “ Elara stopped midway.
Alax leaned in and kissed her.

Elara froze for a heartbeat. She didn’t pull away — but as her eyes fluttered shut, memories flashed before her: that night with Ronan, the pain, the confusion, the guilt. Her body stiffened.

Alax immediately sensed it and drew back. “What happened? Are you okay? I’m sorry — I shouldn’t have done that without asking,” he said quickly, his voice full of worry.

“I just…I can’t,” Elara began, but Alax placed a gentle finger on her lips.

“It’s okay,” he murmured. “Don’t stress. Just relax.”

“I won’t force you until you’re ready,” Alax said, even though Elara’s mind was full of thoughts about Ronan.

“Alax… I don’t think I can stop falling for Ronan,” Elara said, her voice trembling. “I’m trying, but it’s just not happening.”
Alax looked at her, and the fear of losing her was visible in his eyes.

“You know he’s with someone, and he’s not a good person… then why?” Alax asked softly.

“I don’t know… I just can’t stop thinking about him,” she whispered. “Maybe there’s something I still don’t understand.”
She held Alax’s hand. “Can I just tell him once?”

“Elara…” Alax started to say something, but she leaned closer.

“Just once,” she pleaded.

“…Okay,” Alax breathed out. “I’ll take you to his house tomorrow.”

Elara smiled softly, and Alax pulled her into a warm hug to comfort her.
“Now go and sleep,” he whispered.

He helped her into bed, and once she lay down, he gently covered her with the blanket. Turning off the light, he stepped out of the room quietly.

Alax walked to the living room and sat on the sofa. He switched off all the lights except for a single lamp glowing in the corner. His expression had changed — darker, heavier, conflicted.

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

“Meet me at Peace Café. Right now,” Alax said quietly.

He hesitated for a moment, then added,
“You want Ronan, right?… I can help.”

He ended the call and left the apartment.