CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: GUILT IS A WEIGHT YOU CAN’T HIDE FROM (ELENA’S POV)

🌥️ Morning Shadows

I woke with a start.

Every fiber of me felt hollow, heavy, and wrong.

The sun had barely shifted. The world was quiet—too quiet.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for what I knew I’d feel:

Shame.

Regret.

Longing.

In the dim haze of dawn, I knew there was only one way to go forward now: either step off the edge entirely, or keep walking a dangerous tightrope.

8:30 AM — The Memory Echo

Moments replayed in my mind in slow motion.

His voice in the garden.

His hand brushing mine last night in his room.

The almost-kiss in the kitchen.

But then: the note on the pillow, the agreement in his room to bury everything—

That boom of denial resounded in my chest.

Can you deny your own heart?

9:00 AM — A Note Unsent

I tried to write something.

Not a confession.

Not a promise.

But something.

A letter, perhaps — a way to explain why I still stayed.

It looked like a jumble of apologies, regrets, and a single line that pierced through:

How do I stop feeling like this?

I crumpled it.

It wasn’t fair to him—or anyone—to read those words.

So I threw the paper away.

But I couldn’t throw away the guilt.

11:15 AM — In the Pantry

I made myself keep busy—cleaning, cooking, organizing.

Until I stumbled into the pantry and froze.

His hoodie still sat draped over a box—like an unspoken reminder.

I touched it.

Soft, familiar, painful.

I balanced between guilt and need.

I dropped it and walked away.

1:00 PM — A Visitor

There was a knock at my door.

I hadn’t invited anyone.

I found Dad standing outside.

He looked tired. Concerned.

He stepped inside quietly.

Not furious. Not accusatory.

But protective.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Clear, direct.

"I... yes," I said, voice shaking.

He nodded.

"That hug... last night?" he murmured.

I tensed.

He continued: "You looked smaller."

I felt tears in my eyes.

He sighed. "If you ever need to leave... I’ll help."

I swallowed.

Some truths are easier when spoken by someone else.

3:30 PM — Silence and Smiles

I joined Aaron for dinner prep.

Every glance felt loaded.

Every brush of the hand made my breath hitch.

What we agreed to "bury" felt buried only in words. In reality, it was alive—smoldering—between us.

I sometimes stood too close behind him while chopping vegetables.

He’d shift without speaking, closing the space.

Neither of us pushed it.

We whispered no more than necessary.

The tension felt sacred. Frightening.

7:00 PM — A Crack in the Pavement

I found Milo in the kitchen, watching us.

He cleared his throat.

No judgment. Just watchful concern.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

I didn’t know.

I didn’t respond.

Only stilled.

He nodded and left.

The guilt doubled.

9:00 PM — Bedtime Confessional

I wrote again. This time: a confession—not to him, but to myself.

I love him.

I’m terrified I’ll ruin everything.

I’m so tired of hiding.

I didn’t plan to show anyone. But writing made me feel like I might drown in this.

I folded the note—but didn’t throw it.

Instead, I hid it.

For later.

📘 End of Chapter 18

💬 YOUR TURN!

Does Elena ask for help from Aaron’s dad?

Is Milo quietly going to unravel everything?

Or will silence take them both under?

👇 Share your thoughts — whose POV should we focus on next?

❤️ Tap that heart if Elena’s guilt melted your heart too.

🔔 Follow to see where the secrets go next — Chapter 19 is coming soon, and nothing stays buried forever.