Chapter 367

"Hey, why the thousand-yard stare?"

Elijah noticed Elara zoning out completely and snapped his fingers in front of her face to bring her back.

"Elijah."

Elara hesitated, her voice trailing off as she recalled the woman who looked eerily similar to her.

"What's up, Elara? You're never this hesitant. Spit it out," Elijah pressed, brows furrowed.

"It's nothing."

Just a woman he'd stumbled upon years ago in another country.

Even if she had suspicions, digging into this woman's identity wasn't an option. Her only lead was through Edith.

But what was the point?

Thaddeus had made it crystal clear—in front of her grandfather, no less—that they were over. No take-backs.

So why was she hesitating? Why was she mourning?

Elara let out a quiet, bitter laugh and drained her lukewarm tea.

How pathetic was she, pining for a man who'd abandoned her twice? Shouldn't she be relieved she hadn't repeated the same mistake?

Beside her, Cassian took in her conflicted emotions without a word. Instead, he wordlessly wrapped his warm fingers around her cold ones, squeezing gently.

"Did you tell Serena and Emery about Chase?" Elara asked softly.

Emery had taken Mira abroad to help her recover, and Serena and Ava had tagged along. They were staying in separate villas, though.

The grand Ashbourne estate felt unusually empty these days, with just the two of them there.

"We called Serena already."

Cassian smiled faintly. "She said not to treat him like a guest. Handle him however you see fit. She'd even disown him if it made you happy."

Elara couldn't help but laugh. She knew they all adored her.

"Damn, talk about cutting ties for justice—or just cutting ties, period," Adrian muttered, jaw slack.

Elijah pulled a cigarette from his jacket pocket and lit it, the picture of effortless cool. "Helping others is justice. Helping that bastard Thaddeus? That's just disowning family."

Silence.

Elara blinked but said nothing.

"Elara, there's something I want to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

"Then don't," Elara cut in, already knowing where this was going.

It wouldn't be pleasant.

"Thaddeus has severe neurological damage because of me. His nervous system's compromised. We don't know what'll happen—intermittent blackouts, paralysis..." Her voice was tight.

Elijah frowned at her words.

"I don't want anything to do with him, but I don't want to feel like I owe him either."

Elara met Elijah's gaze, her eyes clear but pained. "I'm not trying to save him. I'm trying to save myself."

The air in the room grew heavy.

Adrian, ever the opportunist, suddenly blurted, "Hey, Cassian, is Chase really a guy?"

Cassian didn't miss a beat. "Yes."

"What's it like holding him?"

Elijah smirked. "Damn, Adrian, I thought you were straight. Didn't know you had those kinds of interests. Next time, just say so. No need to make me seduce him for you."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Adrian's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. "I've just never seen a guy that pretty before. Curiosity, okay?"

Elara was speechless.

"Who gets that curious about other guys?" Elijah teased.

"It's called being young! Old people lose their sense of wonder!" Adrian shot back.

The brothers bickered until the night wound down.

The Next Day

Chase, thanks to jet lag, slept until noon.

He'd just cracked his eyes open when insistent knocking rattled his door.

At first, he ignored it. But the person outside was relentless.

"Jesus, what?" Chase groaned, yanking the door open.

Cassian stood there, impeccably dressed.

Chase blinked.

Cassian's gaze flickered from Chase's toned chest to his abs before landing on his—

Cheerful boxer shorts.

His expression darkened slightly.

"Like what you see, cousin?" Chase leaned against the doorframe, smirking.

He was shameless by nature. Nudity wouldn't faze him.

But Cassian—tall, composed, and unfairly handsome in that suit—made his pulse skip.

"Your shorts are... cute," Cassian murmured, voice low.

"Sleep well?"

"Could've been better. Would've helped if someone warmed the bed," Chase grumbled, still sore about being kidnapped. "Can I come in?"

Chase pressed his lips together and stepped aside.

They moved to the living room, where Chase sprawled on the sofa, legs propped on the coffee table. His dark eyes locked onto Cassian. "What's so urgent you had to wake me?"

Then he noticed the first-aid kit on the table.

Before he could react, Cassian dropped to one knee and grabbed his ankle.

Heat shot to Chase's cheeks. He recoiled. "W-what are you doing?"

"You've got a scrape. Let me treat it."

Cassian didn't wait for permission. He swabbed the wound with alcohol.

The sting was sharp but oddly soothing. Chase's toes curled.

As a doctor, he knew the injury was minor. But he wasn't used to being cared for.

Living abroad, far from family, he hadn't made many real friends.

So when Cassian tended to him, his chest tightened.

The room was quiet, thick with tension.

"Keep it dry. Even small wounds can scar."

Cassian packed up the kit, voice soft. "You've got skin like my sister's. Too perfect to ruin."

"Cassian." Chase leaned in, smirking. "Ever heard 'Beware Greeks bearing gifts'?"

Cassian met his gaze head-on.

Their faces were close. Too close.

Cassian's pulse jumped. "What are you implying?"

"Are you buttering me up for Elara, or do you actually care?"

Chase's voice wasn't feminine, but it was undeniably alluring.

"You're Elara's guest and Serena's nephew. It's only right I look after you."

Cassian's eyes dropped.

"Always the diplomat." Chase scoffed and turned away. "Leave. I'm booking a flight home tomorrow."

"Still mad?" Cassian settled beside him.

"What do you think?"

"What can I do to make it up to you?"

"Have that asshole Elijah apologize, and I'll consider it."

Chase was still fuming over being kidnapped.

"How about something else?"

"No. That's what I want."

"Even if I ask, he won't do it. He's probably already gone." Cassian smiled. "Name anything else."

Chase thought for a second, then grinned. "Careful, Cassian. Don't make promises you can't keep."

"Try me."

"Stay with me tonight. Can you do that?"

Chase propped his chin on his hand, admiring Cassian's profile.

Cassian suddenly loosened his tie.

Chase swallowed hard.

Normally, he'd pounce. But Cassian's presence was overwhelming.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Cassian? Is Chase awake? Lunch is ready."

Elara's voice floated through the door.

Cassian stood smoothly. "You must be starving. Elara's an amazing cook. She doesn't cook for just anyone."

Chase wanted to refuse, but his stomach growled.

Fine.

He'd make the best of it.

After lunch, Cassian retreated to his room and locked the door.

He sat at his desk, expression hardening.

He undid his tie and unbuttoned his collar, finally breathing easier.

A silver cross pendant slipped free, glinting in the dim light.

Cassian closed his eyes, steadying his racing heart.

But the face that surfaced wasn't Chase's—it was another man's.

A man he thought he'd forgotten.

The man he'd once loved.

Cassian pulled two books from the shelf.

A hidden compartment clicked open, revealing a safe.

He entered the man's birthday—and his own.

Inside were framed photos, a sealed file, and a velvet box.

Cassian opened the box. A pair of diamond rings gleamed.

He slid one onto his left ring finger, then picked up the photos.

In them, a handsome, smiling man had his arms around Cassian. Their intimacy was undeniable.

They'd been together.

The man had fox-like eyes—just like Chase's.

Seeing those eyes last night had unraveled him.

Cassian's breath hitched. He pressed his lips to the photo.

On the back, neat handwriting read: Cassian, I hope one day, the world forgives us.

"But you didn't wait for that day," he whispered.

Death wasn't the worst part.

The worst was being reminded—over and over—of what he'd lost.

Elara had cooked a feast for Chase.

Despite her hiatus, her skills were impeccable. Even their family chef wanted lessons.

Chase's mouth watered.

"Just some home cooking. Hope you like it." Elara grinned.

But Chase was stubborn.

"Ms. Ashbourne, even if you're Serena's favorite, your charm won't work on me. I don't treat the elite. Thaddeus has doctors lining up to kiss his ass. They don't need me. My answer's final."

Hmm.

Had Cassian's efforts failed?

Elara stayed calm.

She knew men cared about two things: pride and competition.

She sipped her tea. "As a top surgeon, you've never lost a patient. You only take cases you're 100% sure you can handle, right?"

The mood shifted.

A challenge hung in the air.