Chapter 4 4

Lena's POV

The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and red as I drove through the streets, hands gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. The tension in my body refused to fade, coiling tighter with each passing moment.

Xavier Sinclair was infuriating. One minute, he let his guard slip just enough to show me something real, something raw. The next, he shut down completely, pushing me away with a coldness that left an ache in my chest.

Pulling into my apartment complex, I parked and climbed out of the car. The night air was cool against my flushed skin, but it did nothing to quiet the storm raging inside me.

The elevator ride to my floor felt unbearably slow. Each second dragged, giving my mind more time to replay everything-his tormented expression, the way his voice had nearly cracked when he admitted he didn't know how to let me in.

Reaching my door, I fumbled for my keys, my hands trembling with frustration. Before I could slide the key into the lock, my phone buzzed in my bag. Glancing at the screen, my heart stuttered.

Xavier.

For a moment, I just stared. Answering meant opening myself up to more pain, more confusion. Ignoring it meant walking away.

The phone buzzed again, breaking my hesitation. I swiped to answer. "What do you want, Xavier?"

Silence stretched on the other end, heavy and thick. Then a slow, uneven breath. "I shouldn't have pushed you away."

The admission sent a sharp jolt through my chest. "Then why did you?"

His voice was quieter this time. "Because I'm afraid."

Something inside me cracked. Xavier Sinclair, the man who walked through life as if nothing could touch him, was afraid.

Turning my key, I pushed open the door and stepped inside, balancing my phone against my ear. "Meet me."

He didn't respond right away.

"Please," I whispered.

A long pause. Then, "Where?"

My heart pounded. "The place by the river."

The call ended without another word, but I knew he'd come.

Xavier's POV

The river stretched out before me, dark waters reflecting the glow of city lights. Lena wasn't here yet, but she would be.

Fingers digging into my pockets, I forced myself to breathe. My chest felt tight, my thoughts restless. Coming here meant acknowledging things I had spent years trying to bury.

Footsteps approached.

Turning, I found her walking toward me, wrapped in a long coat, her hair swaying with each step. The sight of her stirred something deep inside me-something dangerously close to hope.

She stopped a few feet away, her eyes searching mine. "You came."

A stiff nod was all I could manage.

Her arms crossed over her chest, her expression unreadable. "Talk to me, Xavier."

The weight of her words settled heavily on my shoulders. No more hiding. No more walls.

Dragging a hand through my hair, I exhaled slowly. "I lost someone once." The confession felt like glass scraping against my throat. "Someone I loved more than anything."

Lena didn't speak. She just waited, giving me space to continue.

"She was my world," I admitted. "And then, one day, she was gone."

The words cut deep, but saying them aloud made them real.

Lena took a hesitant step closer. "Who was she?"

"My sister," I said, voice hollow. "Elena."

A flicker of understanding crossed her face.

"She was the best part of me," I continued. "But I failed her."

Lena's breath hitched. "What happened?"

A lump formed in my throat. The memories clawed at me, dragging me back. "She was in trouble, and I ignored it. Told myself it wasn't my fight." My jaw clenched. "Then one night, she called me. Begged me to come get her."

Lena's fingers tightened around the edges of her coat. "And you didn't?"

"I was too late." The words felt like a confession, a wound ripped open. "By the time I got to her, she was already gone."

Silence settled between us, heavy with grief.

Lena reached out, her fingertips grazing my wrist. "Xavier..."

"I don't let people in because it's easier that way." My voice was rough, uneven. "If I don't love, I don't lose."

Tears glistened in her eyes, but she didn't look away. "But you're losing me, Xavier."

Her words struck deep, a truth I had been avoiding for too long.

I looked at her then, really looked. She was everything I had convinced myself I couldn't have-warmth, light, something real.

My fingers curled into fists. "I don't know how to do this."

Lena took another step, until we were inches apart. "Then let me show you."