Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 213

Julian had secured the footage. He’d made sure it couldn’t be tampered with. He’d sat by my bed all night even though his pregnant fiancée was somewhere in this same hospital. He’d held me while I cried and told me he was sorry and looked at me like I was something

precious he was terrified of losing.

But it was too late. Whatever he felt now, whatever belated concern or guilt or God knew what else was driving him–it was all too late. Because I’d already lived through a lifetime of him choosing Sloane over me. I’d already died alone in the ocean while he danced at his wedding reception. I’d already lost Lily because he’d taken her away from me and given her to strangers who let her die.

Too late, I thought again, staring at the ceiling and feeling the tears well up fresh. You’re too late, Julian. And I don’t know if I can ever

forgive you for that.

The door opened again, softer this time, and I didn’t need to look to know who it was. I could feel his presence like a physical weight in the room, could sense the careful way he moved closer to the bed.

“Elara. His voice was quiet, uncertain in a way I’d never heard from him before. “The officers said you gave your statement. They’re going

to review the footage.”

“I know.” I kept my eyes on the ceiling, not trusting myself to look at him. “You should go check on Sloane. Make sure the baby’s okay.”

“Sloane is fine. There was an edge to his voice now, something sharp and frustrated. “The doctors examined her. There’s no sign of complications. The baby’s heartbeat is strong. She’s resting comfortably in a private suite upstairs with her family around her.”

Then why are you here?” The question came out more bitter than I’d intended. “Why aren’t you up there with her?”

The silence stretched so long I thought he might not answer. Then I felt the bed dip as he sat down on the edge of it, felt his hand find mine where it lay on top of the blanket. “Because you’re the one who almost died last night, Elara. You’re the one who was underwater, who couldn’t breathe, who- His voice cracked. ‘Do you have any idea what it did to me, watching you go under like that? Knowing you were drowning and I couldn’t get to you fast enough?”

I finally turned my head to look at him, and what I saw in his face made my breath catch. He looked wrecked. Absolutely destroyed. His eyes were red–rimmed and bloodshot, his hair was a mess from running his hands through it, and there was a muscle jumping in his jaw like he was clenching it hard enough to crack teeth.

“Why?” The question slipped out before I could stop it. “Why save me first? Why not her?

His eyes met mine, dark and intense and filled with something that made my heart stutter in my chest. Because the thought of losing you terrifies me in a way that nothing else does. Because I made you a promise when you were sixteen years old and I meant it. Because -He stopped, jaw working, and for a moment I thought he might actually say it, might actually admit to whatever this thing was

between us that neither of us seemed able to name or escape.

Then he did.

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11:08 Sat, Mar 28

Chapter 213

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“Because I love you.” The words came out rough, scraped raw from somewhere deep in his chest. I’m in love with you, Elara. I have been for longer than I want to admit. Longer than makes any sense. I love you and the thought of you drowning, of losing you, of never getting

to tell you- His voice cracked completely. ‘I can’t. I can’t lose you.”

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