Chapter 58
Undeniable Truth
Elena
The ride home was dead silent, I didn't notice the death grip I had on the steering wheel.
Damien's last words to me at the briefing kept echoing in my head, as did images of his cold detached expression when he'd walked past me.
"You disappoint me."
His words pierced into me even then and I felt the knots in my belly tighten.
I shouldn't think about this I thought, shaking my head but the thoughts lingered, like a weight I couldn't shake off.
I felt a wave of exhaustion flood me when I finally got home, it was late already but the house lights were still on, meaning Jenna was up.
I felt a pang of guilt at the thought of her having to pick Lily up from school and tuck her in after work.
"Elena?" Jenna called out the moment I walked in, her voice faintly cheery.
"It's me," I said, forcing a smile. "Hey."
Jenna was busy at her laptop, her hands dancing above the keyboard as she clicked away.
"What's wrong?" Jenna's sharp gaze saw through me in a moment and she looked up from her screen.
"It's nothing," I mumbled under my breath and I walked past her quickly, not giving her the chance to ask more questions.
I murmured something about checking on Lily and headed straight to her room.
I slowly nudged the door open by a crack and I peeped in. Lily was fast asleep, her breathing slow and measured.
I sighed, closing the door behind me and I changed out of my work clothes into a pair of pajamas.
By the time I returned to the living room, Jenna had set her laptop aside. She was watching me now, her expression unreadable.
"You okay?" She asked, her tone casual. Trying to get me to loosen up I thought, moving to the kitchen.
"I'm just tired," I felt her presence in the kitchen behind me as I made some sandwiches. "Had a long day."
Jenna remained silent, and I could feel her sharp gaze poking holes in me when I turned around.
"You've been off since you walked in," Jenna said directly.
"It's really nothing," I whispered, hating the tremor in my voice. Jenna's concern felt like salt that was rubbed all over my raw emotions.
"Hmmm," Jenna stared at me, not saying anymore but I knew her, she wasn't letting this go.
"Is this about your boss—Damien?" Jenna suddenly asked and she folded her arms.
My heart skipped a beat. "What! Of course not, don't be ridiculous!" I snapped, my voice was sharper than intended. But my tone didn't offend Jenna, she became more assured instead.
"So it is about him," she stared at me, concern etched on her face. Slowly, between bites of sandwiches and Jenna's soft probing, I spilled everything.
There was a beat of silence before she spoke again—this time, softer.
"You're upset," she said. "Really upset."
"What does it matter?" I sighed, getting up to wash the dishes. "He wouldn't listen to a word of anything I had to say. He's just concerned about—" I trailed off, my hands clenched into fists.
My eyes narrowed as I recalled the events at the briefing, Sophia had made a fool out of me and worse before so many people.
And Damien? I closed my eyes, relieving the moment. He'd dismissed me like I'd meant nothing to him, he hadn't even looked faintly interested in my explanation.
Despite myself tears welled up in my eyes, and I pressed my hands against my face.
"It's alright," I felt Jenna's arms curl around me, offering me comfort.
"It hurts," I whispered, my tears now falling freely. "It hurts… so much."
"I know," Jenna whispered, holding me closer as she let me sob. After a long while she held me at arms length." Get a grip, Elena," she held up my chin. Imagine what Lily would do if she caught you in this state.
The mention of Lily brought a smile to my face and I hurriedly wiped my eyes.
"Can't even tell why it bothers me so much," I turned back to the dishes, my emotions under control. "Why should I care?"
"Why?" Jenna echoed.
"I don't," I lied with a straight face, not daring to think further. Why did I care if Damien took Sophia to the ball instead of me?
"It's more than that isn't it?" I caught Jenna staring at me with a deep look as she tilted her head to the side.
"I…" I swallowed hard. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Maybe you do," Jenna gave me a look that spoke volumes and I had the feeling she'd seen through me.
Was it really about work? I wondered. About how Sophia had made a fool of me? Or was it something else? Thoughts filled my mind and I paused, my hands still.
"You're not mad because he dismissed you, Elena. You're mad because it hurts. Because it mattered."
My breath caught.
Jenna tilted her head. "So… why do you think that is?"
I swallowed hard. My throat was dry, my hands trembling slightly as I clenched them into fists.
I wanted to argue. I wanted to push her words away, to tell her she was wrong.
But deep down, I knew she wasn't.
The truth was staring me right in the face.
I wasn't just angry at Damien.
I was hurt.
And I wasn't just hurt because of the way he treated me.
I was hurt because I cared.
Because despite everything—despite the history, despite the anger, despite the way he could drive me insane—
I still loved him.
The realization hit me like a freight train, stealing the breath from my lungs.
My lips parted, but no words came out.
Jenna's smirk softened into something more understanding. "You see it now, don't you?"
I could only nod.
Because for the first time in a long time, I did.