DIANA'S POV
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"Diana!" Elijah sprang up from his chair. His voice hit my chest with a familiar ache, causing my breath to catch in my throat.
"Don't," AJ warned beside me, reaching for my hand. But I pulled away. It was pointless—Elijah had already seen me. There was no need to hide anymore.
Before Elijah could come toward us, I stood up. I expected AJ to follow, but when I looked down, he remained sitting on the floor, staring intently at me until Elijah's voice cut through the silence.
"You're here," Elijah whispered, a fragile smile spreading across his face. "Oh, Diana..." He must have sensed my heat again, because his dark eyes deepened. "I'll take care of you. Come..."
AJ chuckled softly. The sound finally drew Elijah's attention toward him. "Why are you here?" Elijah snapped.
AJ stood up, slipping his hands into his pockets, his lips curving into a sharp smirk. "You hurt her for so long, and now you stand there expecting her to run right into your arms?"
