CHAPTER 42: JUST A FLICKER OF PEACE!

Viktor’s car pulled into the driveway of the Drago estate, the engine cutting off with a low rumble. The mansion loomed in the early evening light, its stone facade imposing yet familiar. He stepped out, his suit wrinkled from hours of driving, his eyes heavy with exhaustion.

The weight of the past day pressed on him... chasing leads, hitting dead ends, and grappling with the truth about Elias. His mind churned with a mix of anger, regret, and something deeper he didn’t want to name. He grabbed his phone from the passenger seat and headed inside, the door creaking as he pushed it open.

The house was quiet, the usual bustle of staff muted. Viktor entered the house, his footsteps echoing in the grand foyer. He needed a shower, a change of clothes, and a moment to clear his head before heading to the Voss estate. As he climbed the stairs, he heard the clink of a glass from the kitchen. Luka was there, no doubt nursing a drink and avoiding Clara’s wrath.

Viktor stepped into the kitchen, finding Luka slumped at the island, a half-empty glass of whiskey in one hand and his laptop open in front of him. Luka glanced up, his expression a mix of exhaustion and amusement.

"You look like hell, Vik."

Viktor snorted, loosening his tie. "Feel like it too. Where are the kids?"

Luka gestured toward the stairs. "They are napping. They barely slept last night since they kept waiting for their nanny to walk through the door. They’re a mess."

Viktor’s chest tightened, guilt creeping in.

"Are they okay?"

Luka sighed, swirling his drink. "As okay as they can be. They’re more worried about Elias than themselves. They’re convinced something happened to Elias’s sister, and that’s why he left."

Viktor ran a hand through his hair, his voice low. "I checked every hospital. There was no sign of Lila. She was moved days ago. Elias planned this."

Luka raised an eyebrow, leaning back.

"So you’re still chasing him? You’re heading to the Voss estate, aren’t you?"

Viktor nodded, pouring himself a glass of water from the fridge.

"Yeah. Even if Elias isn’t there, Jace Voss knows where he is. I’ll make him talk."

Luka set his glass down, his tone serious.

"Vik, maybe it’s time to let this go. Elias left for a reason. You think dragging him back here is gonna fix things?"

Viktor’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on the glass.

"I’m not letting him go. Not like this."

Luka leaned forward, his voice sharp. "Why? Because of the kids? Or because of you? Be honest, Vik. You’ve got plenty of nannies lined up. The twins will survive. They always do. Why are you so obsessed with Elias?"

Viktor slammed the glass on the counter, water sloshing over the edge.

"Obsessed? I’m not obsessed. He lied to me, Luka. He’s an omega, and he played me for a fool. I want him back here, where I can deal with him."

Luka didn’t flinch, his gaze steady.

"Deal with him? What does that mean? You gonna lock him up? Force him to stay? He left because he’s scared, Vik. Scared of you. You know what people say about you and omegas. You think bringing him back by force is gonna make things better?"

Viktor’s jaw clenched, his voice low and dangerous.

"I don’t care what happens to him. I just want him here. As soon as possible."

Luka shook his head, his voice softening.

"You’re not thinking straight. You’re mad because he got under your skin. You care about him, even if you won’t admit it. But dragging him back won’t fix whatever’s going on in your head. You’ll just push him further away."

Viktor opened his mouth to argue, but the sound of small footsteps stopped him. Dante and Dario shuffled into the kitchen, their eyes red and puffy from crying. They were still in their pyjamas, clutching Elias’s phone between them like a lifeline.

"Dad!" Dante ran to Viktor, grabbing his sleeve. "Did you find Nanny yet?"

Viktor knelt, forcing a calm smile. "Not yet, buddy. But I’m looking. I’ll find him soon, I promise."

Dario’s voice was small, his eyes hopeful. "Is Lila okay? Is that why Nanny left? Because she’s sick?"

Viktor hesitated, his heart twisting. He didn’t want to lie, but he didn’t have answers.

"I don’t know about Lila yet, but I’m checking everywhere. I’ll bring Nanny back, okay?"

Dante nodded, his grip tightening on the phone. "You have to, Dad. Nanny promised he’d come back. He wouldn’t lie to us."

Luka watched, his expression heavy.

"They really love him, Vik. You sure you’re doing this for them?"

Viktor shot him a glare, standing.

"I’m doing it for all of us. Stay here with the kids. I’m going to the Voss estate."

Luka sighed, rubbing his temple.

"Fine. But don’t do anything stupid. And Clara’s been blowing up my phone since you refused to pick up her calls. She’s still pissed you left her during the last toast, basically. It’s all over the internet"

Viktor smirked, already heading for the door. "Clara can wait. Elias can’t."

.

.

At the Voss estate, Elias stood in Lila’s room, carefully folding the clothes he’d brought back from the apartment. Lila’s sweaters and pyjamas were neatly stacked on a chair, and the sight of them brought a small smile to his face. The room was cosy, with soft light filtering through the curtains and the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. Lila’s breathing was steady, her face peaceful, and for the first time in weeks, Elias felt a flicker of hope... hope that his sister is going to be better soon.

The door creaked open, and a doctor stepped in, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a clipboard in hand.

"Elias? I’m Dr Carter. I’ve been checking on Lila."

Elias stood, his heart racing.

"Hi. How’s she doing?"

Dr Carter smiled, flipping through her notes. "She’s doing well. Her vitals are stable, and she’s responding to treatment. I think she’ll wake up soon... maybe in a day or two."

Elias’s shoulders sagged with relief, a grin spreading across his face.

"Really? That’s... that’s amazing. Thank you."

Dr Carter nodded, handing him a card with her number.

"Call me if anything changes. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on her."

Elias pocketed the card, his voice soft.

"Thank you, Doctor. I’ve been hearing bad news about her for so long... this means a lot."

She smiled, patting his shoulder.

"You’re a good brother. Keep taking care of her."

As the doctor left, Elias felt lighter, like a weight had lifted. He grabbed the remaining clothes... his own this time... and headed for his room, his mind buzzing with hope. But as he turned the corner in the hallway, he bumped into someone, the clothes spilling onto the floor.

"Oh, sorry!" Elias said, dropping to his knees to gather them.

Before he could pick up more than a shirt, the person grabbed his arm, yanking him up and pinning him against the wall. Elias’s eyes widened, his heart lurching as he looked at the stranger.

It wasn’t Jace or Ethan. The man had bright blue hair, multiple piercings glinting on his ears and lip, and a cocky grin that made Elias’s skin crawl. He leaned in, sniffing the air around Elias, his eyes narrowing.

"Well, well," the man said, his voice low and teasing. "Who are you?"

Elias shoved him back, his voice sharp.

"Who are you?"

The man laughed, running a hand through his hair.

"You don’t know me? I’m kind of a big deal. Name’s Leo, second son of the Voss family. I’m a frigging celebrity!"

Elias’s stomach twisted. Another Voss sibling? He straightened, keeping his tone firm.

"I’m Elias. I’m staying here with my sister."

Leo’s grin widened, his eyes raking over Elias. "Oh, you’re the mystery guest. Thought you were a servant or something, with all those clothes. How about you ditch the laundry and come hang out in my room? Could be fun."

Elias’s face flushed with anger. "Excuse me?"

Leo leaned closer, his voice dripping with amusement.

"What, you shy? Come on, don’t be boring."

Before Elias could respond, Ethan’s voice cut through the hallway. "Leo, back off!"

Leo turned, his grin fading as Ethan stormed toward them.

"There he goes again... Chill, big bro. Just having a little fun."

Ethan shoved Leo away, his expression hard. "He’s a guest, not your plaything. Stay away from him."

Leo rolled his eyes, brushing off his jacket. "Whatever, man. You’re no fun." He glanced at Elias, winking. "See you around, cutie."

Elias glared, his hands shaking as he clutched the clothes. Ethan turned to him, his voice softer.

"Ignore him. He’s an idiot."

Elias nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, thanks for the warning,"

Ethan gestured down the hall. "Go on. I’ll deal with him."

Elias hurried to his room, closing the door behind him and leaning against it with a heavy sigh. His heart was still racing, frustration bubbling up.

’Where the hell did that guy pop out from? Why didn’t Jace come back with me?’

He remembered Jace mentioning an evening class and needing to make arrangements for school tomorrow, but it still felt like bad timing.

Elias tossed the clothes onto the bed, not bothering to unpack them. He wanted them close, ready to grab if he needed to run again.

’If Viktor finds me...’

He shook the thought away, sitting on the bed and pulling out his new phone. It was fully charged, and the screen lit up with notifications. Curious, he opened a news app, and his heart sank.

Headlines about Viktor and Clara’s engagement filled the feed, some mocking how Viktor had left Clara during the toast for "personal reasons."

Elias’s fingers hovered over the screen, guilt and sadness washing over him. He closed the app, not wanting to read more.

His phone buzzed with a text from Jace.

J: You free tonight? We need to prepare for the presentation.

Elias smiled, typing back.

E: Yeah, I’m in.

He leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. For the first time in a while, he felt a flicker of peace. Lila was getting better, he had a new phone, and he was safe... at least for now. He closed his eyes, hoping this calm could last.

That’s only if it would really last.