Page 88 of Wreckage

Her smile grew, but then her brows knitted together, and I knew exactly what she was about to ask.

“Troy?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

“He went out again,” I admitted. “Just like last time. He promised he wouldn’t be gone as long.”

She swallowed, her hands twisting in the blanket, and I could see the fear settling in her eyes.

I immediately reached for her, pulling her close and pressing my forehead against hers.

“He’ll be OK,” I murmured. “It’ll be just like last time. He promised.”

Her breath hitched, but she nodded slowly.

I kissed her, soft and slow, coaxing her away from her fears, from the spiraling thoughts I could already see forming behind her eyes.

“Eat,” I whispered. “I’ll take care of everything else.”

After eating,I helped her to the bathroom, ensuring she had everything she needed before stepping out to wait.

The sound of water running filled the cabin, and I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to push my worries aside.

Troy would be fine. He had to be.

I wouldn’t allow any other possibility.

When the door finally creaked open, Elena stepped out, her skin still flushed from the heat of the water, her damp hair hanging down in soft waves.

My chest tightened at the sight of her.

She was breathtaking.

Even after everything—the crash, the hunger, the exhaustion—she still looked so damn beautiful.

I took her hand and gently guided her back to the bed, kneeling before her.

“Let me see,” I murmured, carefully lifting her leg.

She didn’t fight me, trusting me completely, and the thought sent a warm ache through my chest.

Her ankle was still swollen but nowhere near as bad as before. The bruising had faded, but I could tell it still bothered her.

She exhaled softly. “What if I can’t dance again?” Her voice was so small and uncertain, breaking something inside me.

I immediately gripped her face, forcing her gaze to mine.

“You will,” I said, my voice firm, unwavering.

She let out a sad smile, but I wasn’t done.

“If I have to carry you through your routines, I swear to God, Elena, you will be on that stage again.”

Her lips parted, her blue eyes widened, and then, just as quickly, her expression softened into something so sweet, so pure, it made my heart ache.

“You’d do that for me?” she whispered.

I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling softly.

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