The Final Plea We have to go now! Alexanders voice cuts through the air, urgent, desperate.
He grips Elenas arms, his fingers tight around her skin.
His eyes are wild, frantic, and it hits Elena like a punch to the gut.
She hasnt seen him like this beforeso raw, so terrified.
Iwhat? Alexander, calm down, whats happening? Elena stammers, trying to break free of his hold, her mind still swirling from everything thats happened.
She doesnt understand.
Whats going on? Theres no time, Alexander says through gritted teeth, pulling her closer.
We cant stay here.
Not now.
Not after everything thats happened.
His breath is shallow, his chest rising and falling rapidly as if hes been running.
Rafael knows.
He knows weve been meeting in secret.
We need to leavenow.
Elenas heart races as she tries to wrap her head around his words.
Rafael knows? she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, her pulse quickening.
How do you know? What are you talking about? Trust me, Ive been watching.
Hes been watching me too, Alexander mutters, his eyes darting nervously over his shoulder, as if expecting Rafael to come through the door at any second.
Hes onto us.
We dont have time to waste.
Elena stumbles back, her mind going into overdrive.
Shes not ready for this.
Shes not ready to run.
Wait, Alexander, I She shakes her head, trying to steady herself, but everything is moving too fast.
Shes overwhelmed, exhausted, and the weight of her situation is crushing her.
I dont know if I can do this.
II dont know what to do.
Im trapped.
Youre not trapped, Alexander insists, his grip on her arms tightening, but its not cruel.
Its protective.
I wont let you be trapped.
Well get out of here, and well figure it out.
Together.
She looks at him, his eyes filled with determination, but also a deep worry that gnaws at her.
Hes always been her rock, the one person whos never given up on her, but this is different.
Rafael is dangerous.
Rafael is everywhere.
Elena doesnt know if they can run far enough to escape him.
Elena, please.
His voice cracks as he shakes her gently.
We cant wait any longer.
I wont lose you.
Her stomach flips at the intensity in his words, and she swallows hard, trying to push back the tears that threaten to spill.
She feels like shes caught in a whirlwind, and every decision feels like a gamble.
But then, the memory of Rafaels face, the coldness in his eyes, hits her like a wave.
She knows Alexander is right.
She cant stay.
Okay, she says, her voice barely above a whisper, but the fear is clear in her eyes.
Okay, we go.
But we need a plan.
I need to know we wont be running forever.
We need to be smart about this.
Alexander nods, his face grim.
We dont have time for a plan, Elena.
We just have to get out before he catches us.
She shakes her head, trying to steady her thoughts.
No.
I cant leave everything behind without a plan.
I need to make sure Rafael wont just come after us.
I need to make sure he cant hurt anyone else.
Not just me.
Not just you.
I wont let him destroy everything weve worked for.
Alexanders face darkens, his jaw clenching.
Elena, if we wait any longer No, she interrupts, her voice shaking but firm.
We cant kill him.
Not yet.
I need to make sure he wont come after us.
I need to find a way to end this once and for all.
I wont let him keep doing this.
To me.
To you.
To Vivienne.
Alexander steps back, looking at her like hes trying to read her mind.
She can see the conflict in his eyes.
He wants to protect her.
He wants to run, get as far away from Rafael as possible, but he also knows what shes been through.
He knows what Rafael is capable of.
Elena, he starts, his voice low and raw, I dont think you understand.
Rafael isnt just going to let you go.
He wont stop.
He wont stop until he has you back.
Until he owns you.
I know, she says, her voice barely a whisper, but her hands are shaking, and her heart is racing.
But thats why I have to be smart.
I have to think ahead.
I need to make sure he cant come after me.
I wont just let him come after you again.
I wont.
She doesnt know if she believes herself.
Part of her wants to grab Alexanders hand, run as far as she can, and never look back.
But another part of her knows that running wont solve this.
She cant just hide forever.
She has to end this.
She has to take control of her life again.
I dont know what to do anymore, Alexander admits, his voice soft, almost pleading.
You say you want to think ahead, but time is running out, Elena.
Were out of time.
I know, Elena murmurs, her mind working overtime.
She can hear Rafaels voice in her head, his words cold and threatening.Youre mine now.
And theres nothing you can do about it.
The thought of him controlling her life, controlling every move she makes, makes her stomach turn.
She cant live like that.
She cant let him win.
Well figure this out, she says, more to herself than to Alexander.
Well make sure he wont come after us.
Ill make sure of it.
Alexander looks at her for a long moment, his eyes filled with uncertainty, but also a flicker of hope.
Ill follow you, Elena, he says quietly.
Wherever you go.
Whatever you decide.
She nods, trying to steady her breathing.
We need to get proof.
We need something he cant deny.
We need to find a way to make sure he cant hurt us anymore.
Proof? Alexander repeats, a frown creasing his brow.
How do you? I dont know yet, she interrupts, her voice tight, but Ill figure it out.
I promise.
They stand there in silence for a moment, the weight of their decision hanging in the air.
Elena feels her heart beating in her chest, unsure of the next move.

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The fear is still there, but theres something else toosomething that feels like the first real spark of hope in days.
We have to be careful, she says, her voice steady now.
Rafael is dangerous, and I need to make sure he wont come after us.
Not yet.
But soon.
Well make him pay for everything hes done.
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