The moonlight streamed through the windows of the abandoned mansion, casting long shadows on the floor as Elijah stood at the threshold of the room. His jaw was clenched, his eyes fixed on the woman lying in front of him, a faint rise and fall in her chest signaling that she had survived—barely.

He'd held her in his arms, watching her slip away, helpless and broken. His heart had shattered, and for the briefest moment, he'd wished he could trade places with her. But that moment had passed, and now, with her awake and healed, Elijah knew what had to be done.

He stepped closer, his footsteps muffled against the cold stone. The door creaked closed behind him, and she stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet his.

"Elijah?" she whispered, her voice weak but full of hope.

His throat tightened. He wanted to reach out to her, to pull her back into his arms and pretend everything could be as it was. But he couldn’t. He would never forgive himself for what he had to do, but it was the only choice.

"I’m sorry," he began, his voice low, steady, and emotionless. "This... this is the end for us."

Her eyes widened in confusion, disbelief coloring her features. "What are you talking about? Elijah, we—"

"Listen to me," he interrupted, the words cold, cutting through the air. "I love you. But this isn’t a life for you. Not anymore. Not with me."

Her breath hitched, her chest tightening as she struggled to understand. "But… why? We can be together. We can—"

"No," he said, his voice firm now, a wall rising between them. "You deserve more than what I can give you. This... this life is dangerous. I’m dangerous. I cannot watch you die because of me."

Her lips trembled, tears threatening to fall, but Elijah refused to break. He wasn’t going to allow himself to falter.

"You don’t get to decide that for me!" she cried, the hurt in her eyes more than he could bear. "I choose my path, not you."

"Then choose life," Elijah said, his voice a mere whisper now. "Choose a future that I can never give you."