26

She acknowledged a pang of guilt creeping in; perhaps Chandler had a point she didn't want to admit. She had overreacted, letting her emotions steer the conversation into a storm, and now regret settled in like an unwelcome visitor.

As she dried herself off and slipped into the nightwear, she acknowledged the meticulous care he had taken to ensure her comfort—a thoughtful touch that softened the edges of her frustration. But concern for him gnawed at her insides. It was well past the hour of reason, and he hadn’t returned back to the room.

Ignoring the late hour, Elena made a quick decision. She hurriedly dressed, the fabric of the nightwear swishing softly with her hurried movements. With a flutter of nervousness in her chest, she quietly stepped out into the deserted hallway, searching for any sign of Chandler. The hallway was eerily silent, amplifying the ticking of her racing heart. Her gaze flickered between the corridor and the closed doors, her footsteps echoing against the flo