Chapter 55. Learning an Old Tale

Elena’s POV

By the time I reached Parking Tower C8, my hands were numb from gripping the steering wheel. A large truck sat at the far end of the lot, its engine humming softly in the dark. For a second, I just stared at it, scared to believe this was real.

Then I heard my name. “Elena!” Before I could even turn off the engine, May came running toward me. The moment I saw her face, something inside me broke. Tears rushed out before I could stop them.

“May…” My voice cracked. She slammed into me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I held her just as tight, shaking, crying into her shoulder. “I’m so sorry,” I sobbed. “I ruined everything. I dragged you into this. I never meant…”

She pulled back and grabbed my face. “Stop it. Don’t you dare blame yourself,” she said firmly. “You would never hurt us. You hear me? Never.”

But guilt still burned in my chest. She had a good life back in Silver Crest. So did my grandmother. And now they were running in t