Chapter 123

ELORA'S POV The ride back that night felt longer than usual, like every turn of the wheel was stretching the silence between us. Lucas's words were still echoing in my head—I love you, Elora. Those four words had burned their way into my chest and refused to leave..I sat quietly in the passenger seat, staring out the window, watching the city lights blur into the night. My fingers were clenched tightly around the hem of my dress. I didn't know what to say or even how to breathe properly. It wasn't that I didn't expect it…maybe, somewhere deep down, I knew this was coming. But not this soon. Lucas having feelings for me for years? I didn't see that coming at all. I knew he had always looked at me differently, like I was something fragile he wanted to protect. And I'd always had my doubts—that maybe I’m overthinking things. But hearing him say it out loud made everything too real. When he finally pulled up in front of my apartment, he turned to me. The silence in the car was deafening. H