Chapter 7 A Clean Break

After Elena transferred the medical expenses to Marcus, she didn't hesitate. Her thumb hovered briefly before pressing delete. Erasing his contact from her phone. This is a clean break. No more connections she didn’t need.

Her eyes moved through her Facebook friends list, scrolling past names she barely recognized anymore. Mrs. Lyra. Jamil. Prof. Gaius. Then her finger stopped.

Dolphus.

His avatar stared back at her: a calm seascape painting. Curiosity flickered within her. She tapped.

His profile was emptier than she expected. Not even a single status update. No pictures. No shared memories. Not even a stray comment. Just silence.

She hesitated before typing.

“Yesterday, your tie… I dirtied it. How much is it? I’ll transfer the money to you.”

He had sacrificed it for her, ripping it apart to help stop her bleeding. She remembered the scent of the fabric, the warmth of his hand as he pressed it against her wound.

But no sooner had the message been sent than her world jerked violently.

The car veered suddenly.

Elena’s body slammed sideways, her phone sailing from her hand mid-message.

Before instinct even caught up, she found herself flung not against the seat, but into the hard, warm chest of the man beside her.

Dolphus.

She sucked in a sharp breath as her cheek grazed against his tailored shirt, the thrum of his heartbeat betraying no reaction. Strong arms steadied her without hesitation.

Her phone landed squarely in his lap.

Panic twisted in her chest.

She scrambled to pull away, hands fumbling forward to retrieve her phone, but midway, large fingers closed around her wrist.

Her breath caught.

He had grabbed her.

Their gazes locked.

Eyes, dark and unreadable, bore into hers. Elena felt her pulse spike, her skin prickling. His grip wasn’t harsh, but it was firm. Possessive in a way that rattled her bones.

Face flaming, she tore her eyes away. She struggled against inertia, sitting upright, only for her shoulder to brush him again.

The driver’s frantic voice cut through the tension. “I’m sorry, boss! The car in front suddenly overtook…”

“No problem,” Dolphus said coolly, his deep voice as unmoved as a mountain.

The car steadied.

Elena straightened hastily, her voice small. “I’m sorry…”

Without a glance, Dolphus held out her phone.

She took it with both hands, swallowing thickly.

“Thank you…”

Silence hung heavy after that. Neither spoke.

As the car crept closer to the looming gates of the Estate, Elena’s voice broke the quiet. “Please… drop me off here.”

For the first time since the turn, Dolphus shifted his gaze from the file in his hands.

“You’re staying here tonight.”

His tone wasn’t gentle. Nor did it demand. It simply stated a fact that allowed no argument.

Elena’s throat tightened. “Where I live now isn’t a problem. I’m leaving Glendale tomorrow. It’s just one night.”

The car passed through the Estate gates regardless.

Dolphus closed the file, stepping out of the vehicle as it rolled to a smooth halt. He looked down at her, words falling like an alpha’s decree. “Even if you’re desperate to cut ties with the Hamilton family, there’s no need to rush for just one night.”

Elena’s defenses cracked slightly. Against his authority, logic seemed irrelevant.

She lowered her eyes.

Her fingers twitched at the edge of her blouse before pulling the keys from her pocket, handing them reluctantly to Mr. Richard.

“Please… pack the books on the table, and the things in the drawer. I’ve packed everything else.”

The older wolf nodded, accepting the keys respectfully before driving off.

Elena watched the car vanish into the night.

She had been here before, the Estate looming in her past like a ghost. But never had she spent the night.

Inside, Mr. Ethan’s voice broke the memory.

“Is my boss home?”

Then spotting Elena behind him, her expression changed, softening.

“Miss Elena is also here! Just in time. I’ve stewed chicken soup.”

She moved quickly to order the servants to prepare the guest room.

Dolphus, without another word, disappeared into his study. He preferred silence. Even for meals.

By noon, Drake’s public apology arrived.

Not just handwritten, but posted to his Facebook as well.

Faster than Elena expected.

He admitted to everything.

He had wronged her. Accused her falsely. There had been no drugs, only his recklessness. He acknowledged Elena’s strength, that nothing had happened between them, and that his assumptions had harmed her both physically and emotionally.

The apology spread fast.

Within minutes, the university’s forum caught wind. Her name wasn’t clear yet, but the tide shifted.

Comments rained down like silver bullets.

“This feels staged.”

“No matter. That guy’s scum, leaking photos like that.”

“Exactly! If I were her, I’d sue him.”

“But weren’t they once in love? Maybe this was a mutual cover-up to save face…”

The arguments blurred.

Elena read none of it.

She only wanted the storm to pass.

By late afternoon, Mr. Richard had returned, bringing her things. Her life condensed into a suitcase.

Night came fast.

She kept things simple. No point unpacking what she’d repack tomorrow.

Her injuries made bathing slow. Pain sharpened even the softest touch of water. She gritted her teeth, cleaned up, and dressed.

Her throat burned.

She wandered downstairs, drawn by thirst.

In the dim kitchen light, she saw him.

Dolphus.

He stood before the open refrigerator, phone pressed to his ear, half-lit by the pale blue glow. The man who commanded wolves, who moved like night itself, now stood in quiet domesticity.

Yet even here, power rolled off him in waves.

His voice carried, low and controlled.

“I’ve never forgotten the grace of the Farringtons in raising me. I’ve never refused a marriage alliance for their sake.”

A pause.

“But the Monroe family isn’t suitable.”

Elena froze.

She listened despite herself.

He uncapped a bottle of water one-handed, raising it to his lips before continuing.

“Besides,” he said evenly, “I’ve always believed the Farrington's legacy … rather than be handed to a foster son like me… should belong to their true bloodline. If you’re willing to know more, you’d realize… Elena is very outstanding.”

Elena’s heart stumbled.

Silence stretched.

His brow furrowed.

As if sensing her presence, Dolphus turned his head.

Their eyes locked again.

This time, neither looked away.

Dolphus ended the call. “Can’t sleep?” His voice was softer now.

She swallowed. “I… just wanted some water.”

Without hesitation, he opened the refrigerator, pulling out another bottle.

He held it out.

She crossed the floor, hesitant, taking it quickly with a whispered, “Thank you.”

Turning to flee, she hesitated.

Her body warred with her mind.

Then, softly, without meeting his eyes, she said, “Good night.”

And bolted.

Her footsteps echoed on the stairs, fading fast.

Dolphus watched her vanish.

His mind flickered.

The first time he saw her.

He had been fourteen.

She had been nine.

Outside the police station.

Her mother, Seraphina Farrington, was taken away by someone from the Farrington family.

Elena had been left behind.

Forgotten.

Hidden behind a tree.

Eyes empty.

Dolphus had approached her, asked if she wanted to follow him back to the Farringtons' family, but Elena said no.