"Girl, fuck him," Ryan said, handing Elara a bowl of chicken soup.
"He really thinks he rules the world with that tiny business of his."
"'Don't curse, darling,'" Elara mimicked, rolling her eyes and mocking Lucien's tone.
"You should've just stabbed his throat with these heels," Ryan said, picking one up and inspecting it dramatically.
"Nah," Elara scoffed. "We don't want his blood on them."
Ryan laughed and stood up. "Let me grab some blankets. I'm so glad you didn't go back to that house tonight." She disappeared down the hallway.
Elara exhaled deeply. She couldn't have gone back anyway. Not after everything. Not after the humiliation. Lucien could rage all he wanted — she didn't care anymore.
Ryan returned with blankets, tossing one over Elara. She'd already changed into one of Ryan's nightgowns, the soft fabric a small comfort against the chaos in her head. Curling up beside her best friend, Elara closed her eyes, silently praying this was all just a nightmare she'd wake up from.
---
It was around 2 a.m. when her phone began ringing nonstop.
It was Josh.
Elara groaned, grabbed her phone, and switched it off. She buried her head in the pillow, desperate for sleep.
Minutes later, a car horn blared outside once, then twice, then continuously.
"What the hell?" Ryan muttered, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.
Elara joined her at the window and froze.
"F*ck," she whispered.
"Is that Lucien?" Ryan asked, eyes wide.
"No," Elara hissed. "That's his stupid driver — my stupid driver."
"He's aware it's almost three in the morning, right?" Ryan said, still peeking through the curtain.
"I'm sure Lucien sent him. The question is — how the hell does he know I'm here?"
"Let's ignore him. He'll leave."
Ten minutes later, the honking was still going strong.
"I can't take this anymore," Ryan said, pressing a pillow over her ears.
A knock came on the door.
It was Ryan's mom.
"Honey, there's someone outside," Mrs. Miller said softly. "He keeps staring at your window. Your dad's about to call the cops. Do you know him?"
"Well, that's—" Ryan began.
"He's my friend," Elara cut in quickly.
"Your friend?" Mrs. Miller repeated, frowning.
"Yes. I was just about to leave."
"At this hour?"
"She was about to go, Mom," Ryan interrupted smoothly. "Her friend just got back from the club — they're heading home together."
Mrs. Miller sighed. "Can't he come tomorrow?"
"Oh no, they're adults. She'll be fine," Ryan said, gently ushering her mom out.
When the door shut, Elara let out a shaky breath. She glanced outside again — the car was still there.
Grabbing one of Ryan's jackets, she picked up her things and hurriedly apologized to Ryan's parents for the disturbance.
Ryan walked her out. "Be safe, babe."
Then, glaring at Josh, she added, "Tell your boss he's a psychopath."
Josh said nothing, only opened the car door as Elara got in.
---
"It's three a.m., for God's sake," Elara muttered, staring out the window.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. He asked me to get you," Josh said quietly.
"And it couldn't wait till morning?"
"No, ma'am."
The rest of the ride was silent.
When they reached the house, Josh got out and opened her door. Elara stepped out, gripping her jacket tighter. The living room lights were off. Maybe he wasn't home.
She tiptoed quietly across the hall—
Click.
Every light in the room flicked on.
Lucien was sitting on the sofa, cigarette in hand, sleeves rolled up, shirt slightly undone, the glow from the fireplace outlining his sharp features.
"You didn't inform me you weren't coming home," he said coolly.
"Home?" Elara's voice rose. "Are you serious right now? You left me on the street — with no one, no money, nothing! And you actually thought I'd come back here?"
"Then what the fuck are you doing here?"he said slowly.
"Probably because you sent your stupid driver to drag me back at 2 a.m.?"
"You could've chosen not to."
"Like I had a choice!"
"Right," he said flatly, standing up now. "Your family is in the hospital. I thought maybe you'd forgotten about that."
Elara's fists clenched.
He walked closer — too close.
"If you keep disobeying me, Elara, I'll forget about your miserable family too. And when that happens, everyone goes their separate ways."
She said nothing. Couldn't.
He stared down at her, voice low. "Looks like you were about to go to bed."
Elara stiffened, suddenly aware of her thin nightgown beneath the borrowed jacket. She wasn't wearing a bra, just panties — and though nothing was showing, the way he looked at her made her feel completely exposed.
Lucien's gaze lingered for a second too long before he turned away.
"Go to bed," Lucien said, his tone low and final — more like an order than concern. Then he turned his back on her and left the room.
Elara exhaled shakily, her pulse loud in her ears. She hurried to her room, shut the door, and locked it.
She sent Ryan a quick text: I'm home. Safe.
Then switched off her phone.
She hung the dress back up, dropped her jacket, and collapsed on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Somewhere between thinking and crying, morning crept in — and she was still awake.