Chapter 188
Elara’s POV
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Elara’s heart was pounding as she stepped out of the elevator into the lobby. The security guard who’d called stood near his desk looking apologetic for disturbing her, but Elara barely registered him.
Her attention was locked on the man standing near the entrance.
Tall, expensively dressed in dark slacks and a cashmere sweater that probably cost more than most people’s rent. Dark hair styled perfectly despite the late hour. That same easy smile she remembered from Santorini.
It was Juls. Julius Wellington.
For a moment Elara just stared at him, her exhausted brain struggling to process why Aurora’s brother would be standing in her lobby at eleven PM on the worst night of her life.
Julius turned around when he heard her approach, and smiled.
“Elara. Thank you for coming down. I know it’s late but I really needed to see you.”
She walked toward him slowly, every instinct screaming that something about this was wrong.
“What are you doing here this late?” she asked, keeping her voice neutral.
“I needed to see you. I’ve been thinking about you lately and…..Julius glanced at her for a moment and continued. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
“It’s eleven at night and I’m trying to rest and sleep. So yes, you’re intruding.”
Julius had the decency to look embarrassed. “I know. I’m sorry. I just feel like I haven’t heard from you for the longest, I miss you a bit…I…..I had to check on you. Make sure you were alright.”
Elara felt a hysterical laugh bubbling up in her throat. “You came to my building in the middle of the night to check if I was alright?”
“I know it seems strange but I was genuinely worried. We got to know each other a bit in Santorini and I’ve always thought about you since then although we haven’t been able to have a one on one conversation since then and I couldn’t just sit at home and do nothing.”
“So you drove across the city at eleven PM to… what? Pour out your heart?”
“Of course, but not just for that though.” Julius shifted his weight, suddenly looking uncomfortable. “I also wanted to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For Aurora. For everything she put you through. I know my sister made your life hell for a while there and I feel partially responsible.”
17:11 Mon, May 11 M
Chapter 188
“You’re not responsible for Aurora’s choices.”
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“Maybe not, but I could have done a better job teaching her how to handle rejection and disappointment. Instead she became someone who lashes out when she doesn’t get what she wants.”
Elara felt some of her tension ease slightly. Julius wasn’t here for anything sinister. He was just a well-meaning guy who thought to check up on her.
“I appreciate the apology but it’s really not necessary. Aurora is an adult who makes her own decisions.”
“Still, I’m sorry. And I’m sorry about showing up like this. I should have waited until morning or called first. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“It’s fine. But I really need to get back upstairs. My family is waiting.”
“Of course, of course.” Julius reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Here. In case you need any help. Just call me if you need anything.”
“Why do you keep talking like I’ll need your help, you sound so sure that I will definitely need to contact you, it’s weird Julius.”
There was something almost desperate in his voice that made Elara pause. She looked at him more closely and saw dark circles under his eyes, tension in his shoulders that hadn’t been there before she knew him and even when they met for the first time in Santorini.
“Are you okay?” she asked before she could stop herself.
Julius laughed, but it sounded hollow. “I should be asking you that.”
“You look like you haven’t slept in days.”
“I’ve been dealing with some family issues. Aurora’s disappearance has been hard on all of us.”
“Aurora disappeared?”
“Not literally disappeared. But she’s cut off contact with the family, won’t return calls or emails. I think she’s embarrassed about how things ended with Marcus. Or maybe she’s just done with all of us.” Julius shook his head. “I’m sorry. You don’t need to hear about my family drama right now.”
“It’s fine. I’m sorry Aurora’s going through that.”
“Are you? After everything she did to you?”
“I’m sorry for you. It’s hard when family cuts you off.”
Something flickered across Julius’s face, too fast for Elara to identify. “You’re kinder than most people would be in your position.”
“Or maybe I’m just too tired to hold grudges right now.”
They stood in awkward silence for a moment. Elara could feel exhaustion pulling at her, making her thoughts
17:12 Mon, May 11 M…
Chapter 188
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slow and fuzzy. She needed to get back upstairs, needed to be with Marcus and wait for news about the twins.
“I should go,” Julius said. I’m sorry for keeping you.” Julius stepped toward the exit, then paused.
“Of course.” Elara nodded curtly, just wanting him gone. She turned to walk back to the elevator, done with this bizarre middle-of-the-night visit.
Already mentally cataloging what needed to happen next. Detective Rivera needed to be called with an update. Dante needed to keep searching security footage. Someone needed to make coffee because it was going to be a long night.
“How are the kids, Elara?”
She stopped walking.
Something in Julius’s voice had changed. The concern and warmth had drained out of it, replaced by something that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
Elara turned around slowly. “What?”
Julius was smiling again but this time it didn’t reach his eyes. “The kids. Alexander and Catherine. I bet they’re doing well. Probably sleeping peacefully in their beds upstairs right now.”
The lobby went completely silent. Elara felt ice flood her veins.
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