章 172: I'll always be here for you

As soon as Tommy and his parents left, a palpable silence settled over the house. The air felt heavy with unspoken fears and lingering tension. I closed the door behind them, leaning against it for a moment, my mind racing with thoughts and emotions.

Watching Tommy's parents hold him close, their eyes filled with relief and gratitude, had stirred something deep within me. A sense of responsibility, a gnawing guilt, and above all, a profound love for Elena that I feared might not be enough to keep her safe.

I turned to face the living room, where Elena sat curled up on the couch. She looked so small and fragile, her eyes haunted by the shadows of her recent ordeal.

She was here, physically safe, but I could see the emotional and psychological scars etched into her expression. My heart ached for her, knowing that my world had caused her so much pain.