The skies opened up just as Elena stepped out of EC Games. Rain poured down in sheets, soaking her within seconds — but she didn't care.
She didn't even flinch.
Her feet moved on their own. Away from the office. Away from Ethan. Away from everything.
Tears mixed with rain as she walked, remembering his cold eyes, his harsh words. "You're running away."
Was she?
Maybe. But maybe that's better than staying and breaking more every day.
At the top floor, Ethan stood by the glass wall, watching her silhouette disappear down the street, umbrella-less and drenched. His chest tightened with panic.
He grabbed his car keys and rushed down.
—
The car pulled up beside her after a few minutes, slowing down to her pace.
"Elena!" Ethan called from the driver's seat, rolling the window down. "Get in."
She kept walking.
"Elena, please! You'll get sick!"
She stopped. Turned to him. "I'm already sick, Ethan. Sick of hiding, of pretending, of this fake life."
His grip tightened on the wheel. "Then let's stop pretending. Just get in, we'll talk at home."
She hesitated, rain running down her cheeks like tears. Finally, she shook her head and walked faster.
Ethan cursed under his breath, parked the car, and ran after her.
"Elena!" he shouted again, this time catching her arm.
"Let me go—"
"NO!" he barked. "You're not walking away in the rain like this, like you don't matter to me! Because you do! Damn it, Elena, I care about you more than you realize!"
Her eyes widened, his words cutting through the noise of the rain. For a moment, silence stretched between them. Just heartbeats and thunder.
Then, she swayed.
"Elena?"
She collapsed into his arms, shivering and weak.
"Damn it," he whispered, catching her. "You're burning up."
Ethan gently lifted her and carried her to the car, rain soaking them both.
—
At home, he wrapped her in blankets, wiped her face, and held her hand as she rested on the bed, cheeks flushed from fever.
Elena opened her eyes weakly. "Why are you here…?"
"Because I couldn't let you go. Not like that," he whispered, brushing a wet strand from her face. "You can resign, you can scream at me, but don't shut me out. Please."
Her lips curved slightly. "You really are impossible."
He smiled. "And you're stubborn."
Their eyes met.
Silence.
And then, slowly, he leaned in — pressing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Rest," he whispered. "We'll fix this. I promise."