“I didn’t want to divorce her,” he admitted quietly. “That’s why I ignored her calls.”
His eyes slowly lost focus as realization began crashing into him.
“I thought if I answered…” he said hoarsely, “she would start talking about divorce again.”
He looked like he could barely remain standing anymore.
His chest rose unevenly as confusion, disbelief, and horror filled his face all at once.
Then he looked at Cassian again.
This time, his voice sounded completely broken.
“She was in the fucking hospital…” he whispered.
His eyes reddened instantly.
“Having surgery…”
A painful breath left him.
“And I ignored her calls.”
Cassian grabbed Elias by the shoulders, trying to steady him as his body swayed. Elias immediately jerked away, shoving his hands off his chest in one sharp, irritated motion—like even the slightest contact was unbearable.
“Leave me alone,” he rasped. His voice broke halfway, rough and strained.
His chest rose and fell unevenly. For a brief second, he just stood there, frozen in place, as if his body couldn’t decide whether to collapse inward or lash out.
Then suddenly, he turned and stormed out of the hospital.
His steps were fast but unstable, each one hitting the floor with too much force, like he was trying to outrun whatever was crashing inside him. His hands were clenched at his sides so tightly his knuckles had turned white, his jaw locked hard enough to ache.
Felix reacted instantly and followed him out.
Elias didn’t slow down. He pushed through the hospital exit doors and headed straight for the car, movements sharp and almost reckless, like control had completely slipped out of his grip. Felix caught up quickly and reached the driver’s side first.
“Mr. Creed,” Felix said urgently, his voice tight with concern as he opened the door. “You don’t look good. Please, let me drive.. I’ll get you there faster. Just sit in the back.”
Elias didn’t respond. His gaze was distant, unfocused—like he was looking through everything instead of at it.
Felix didn’t wait for permission this time. He opened the back door.
Elias got in without a word, sinking heavily into the seat. His shoulders were stiff, his posture rigid, as if even sitting down felt like effort. Felix shut the door quickly, moved to the driver’s seat, started the engine, and pulled away from the hospital.
From the backseat, Elias finally spoke.
“Take me to Amara’s home.”
His voice was low, rough, controlled only by sheer force.
Felix nodded once. “Yes, sir.”
The drive was suffocatingly quiet.
Elias leaned back against the seat, but he didn’t relax—not even a little. His head tilted toward the window, eyes fixed outside, yet clearly seeing nothing. His jaw stayed clenched the entire time, a muscle ticking under his skin.
Something inside him was unraveling, piece by piece, and he couldn’t stop it.
