Page 172 of King of Ruin

Would they be disappointed in her?

Would they think she had made another mistake?

Would they look at her the same way Xavier had and decide that she wasn't the daughter they had hoped for?

The thought alone was enough to make Elise feel like she couldn't breathe.

She remained curled up in the darkness, lost inside her own fears, until suddenly, a sharp beeping sound broke through the silence of the apartment.

Her entire body froze.

The sound came from the front door.

Someone was entering the security code.

For a moment, Elise couldn't move. The exhaustion and sadness that had consumed her vanished instantly, replaced by a sudden rush of fear that jolted through her entire body.

Someone was getting inside.

Her heart started pounding as she pushed herself upright on the bed, listening carefully.

The sound of the lock clicking open echoed through the quiet apartment.

No one knew the security code except her.

Fear completely took over her senses.

Before she could think, she rushed out of the bedroom, her eyes adjusting to the darkness as she searched for something—anything—that she could use to protect herself. Her hand grabbed the first thing she found, a nearby vase within reach, and she tightened her grip as she moved toward the entrance.

The door opened.

A figure stepped inside.

Elise didn't wait to see who it was.

Driven purely by panic, she rushed forward, lifting her hand to strike the intruder before he could get any farther inside.

But just as she moved closer, the person turned toward her.

They almost collided with each other in the middle of the apartment, and just as Elise was about to swing the vase in her hand, the lights suddenly turned on.

The brightness flooded the room, revealing both of their faces at the same time.

Elise froze.

The person standing in front of her wasn't a stranger breaking into her apartment.

It was Logan.

Her hand stopped inches away from him, and she immediately pulled the vase back before she could accidentally hit him. At the same time, Logan, who had instinctively raised his arm to protect himself, lowered his fist just as quickly, his own fear and surprise stopping him before his hand could reach the wall beside him.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other.

The panic that had filled the room only seconds ago disappeared, replaced by complete confusion.

"What the hell?"

They both shouted at the same time.