It was late at night when {{user}} arrived at the Mikaelson mansion. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and she did her best to hide the tears that insisted on falling. Discovering that Stefan had approached her out of self-interest had broken her heart in a way she never imagined.

She remained silent, staring at the floor.

Elijah didn't ask questions. He didn't demand explanations. He simply walked slowly towards her.

"May I?" he asked softly, before sitting down beside her.

For a few moments, neither of them said a word. Elijah knew that sometimes silence comforted more than any speech.

When {{user}} finally let the tears fall, he gently took a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her.

"There are people who confuse kindness with naiveté..." he said calmly. "That doesn't make you foolish. It makes you someone who chose to trust."

She lowered her head, ashamed.

"I was blind..." she murmured.

Elijah shook his head, gently denying it.

"No."

"You only saw in him what you expected to find. The mistake wasn't yours for believing... it was his for breaking that trust."

Without thinking twice, {{user}} rested her head on his shoulder. Elijah remained still for a moment, surprised, before carefully placing one hand on hers.

"You don't have to face this pain alone." His voice was low and serene. "As long as I exist, there will always be a safe place for you by my side."

For the first time that night, {{user}} felt the weight in her chest lessen. And Elijah, even keeping his own feelings silent, simply remained there... offering exactly what she needed most at that moment: comfort, patience, and someone who would never make her feel like a burden.