24

He reached out tentatively, longing to bridge the growing chasm between them, but she pulled away from him, and Chandler let his hand drop.

"I thought there was something between us, something worth—"

Elena's interruption cut through his words, her voice fraught with emotion.

"There is nothing between us, Chandler. You can't decide for me."

"I never meant to overstep, Elena. I just... I care about you."

"You care about me.. Or yourself? Which is it?"

Chandler's expression reflected both remorse and desperation. It was clear that she was too angry to listen to him at that moment, so he tried something else. "I know I overstepped, Elena. I was wrong to interfere. But it's late now. Please, let's head back to the hotel. We can talk about this."

Elena shook her head vehemently, her frustration bubbling over. "I don't want to talk about this with you right now or ever. I need some space."

The air crackled with tension, the weight of their unspoken emotions lingering in the night. Chandler'