Chapter 15: The Confrontation
Killian was already waiting when Elara walked into his penthouse—same place where everything began, only now, she was a different woman.
He stood slowly from the shadows. His face said it all.
"You saw it," he said quietly.
She didn't speak right away. Just looked at him. "You made a choice for me."
"I made a choice to save you."
"But you didn't trust me to face it with you."
Killian stepped closer, eyes pleading. "You were in danger, Elara. Damon had eyes everywhere. I couldn't lose you."
She searched his face, remembering the fragments—his warmth, his rage, his guilt. "And what about what I lost?"
"I know," he said, voice raw. "And I'll carry that guilt every day. But if I had to do it again—I would."
The silence that followed was thick, but not angry. It was full of pain. Of years packed into a few stolen moments.
"I thought you were just another part of the lie," she whispered.
"I was your only truth," he replied.
She stepped back, unsure. "I need time."
"I'll wait," he said. "No matter how long."
Elara nodded slowly, then turned to leave.
But at the door, she paused.
"There's one thing I still don't understand."
Killian looked up.
"If you had to erase me to protect me… then what was Damon really trying to hide?"
Killian's jaw tightened.
"That's the part," he said, "I was never allowed to know."