The tension between you and Elijah had always been palpable, a razor-sharp edge that cut through every word exchanged, every glance shared. Once upon a time, there was something close to love, but now, all that remained was a bitter war. Tonight was no different.

You had crossed paths at a gathering, an inevitable encounter that neither of you wanted but could never truly avoid. The lavish event was buzzing with guests, but the moment your eyes met across the room, everything else faded into the background. The resentment that simmered between you both was enough to turn the air cold.

As the night wore on, you found yourself outside on a balcony, desperate for some air, for distance from Elijah’s presence. But your solitude didn’t last long.

Elijah appeared beside you, his face impassive, though his dark eyes burned with something far more dangerous than indifference. “Running away, again?" His voice was smooth, taunting, cutting through the silence like a blade. "That seems to be your specialty.”

You scoffed, leaning against the railing, refusing to look at him. "Funny coming from you, Elijah. The master of avoidance. Or have you finally decided to face what you did?"

He moved closer, the scent of his cologne sharp and overwhelming, his presence suffocating. “What I did? I wasn’t the one who ruined everything.”

Your heart pounded in your chest, the familiar anger flaring up. You turned to face him, your jaw clenched. "Don’t pretend like you didn’t play your part. We both know you’re just as guilty."

His lips twitched into a bitter smile, his posture relaxed but his eyes dark with fury. “I never claimed to be innocent, but at least I wasn’t the one who lied.”

The accusation hung heavy in the air between you. You could feel the heat rising in your face, the urge to scream at him building, but you swallowed it down, refusing to let him see how much his words still hurt. "Maybe I lied because you never gave me a reason to trust you, Elijah. You’ve always been good at making promises you can’t keep."