Chapter 216

Ella

After a night of fitful sleep, I finally rolled out of bed around six in the morning and began my morning routine. My wolf was quieter than usual; she was upset with me over what had happened last night. Hell, I was upset with myself. I had succeeded in pushing Logan away once again, and was now likely going to face the brutal aftermath of the defensive, damaged side of myself getting her way.

That day, I planned on heading to the office. It was Saturday, outside of my normal work hours, but I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to potentially run into Logan or have to sit and think about what had been said between us, so I figured that the next best thing was to bury myself in my work.

After showering, I dressed myself in something casual: a pair of trousers and a plain top. I pulled my hair up into a bun and grabbed my work bag as I walked out of my room.

However, as I made my way down the stairs, the sound of banging in the kitchen caught my attention. Furrowing my brow, I followed the source of the noises and stopped in the doorway to see Logan banging around pots and pans as he put dishes away, his movements erratic and harsh.

Instantly, I wondered if this behavior was because of me. And I would have slipped away unseen, if it hadn’t been for the fact that Logan spun around, a mug of coffee sloshing in his hand, and saw me standing there.

“Morning,” he said, turning away to forcefully shove a pan into a cabinet.

“Morning,” I said tentatively, leaning against the doorframe in a half-hearted attempt to look casual. “You’re up early.”

Logan glanced over his shoulder, his expression taut. “Couldn’t sleep,” he muttered before turning back to the stove.

I hesitated, wondering what to do. Part of me wanted to slip away now that his back was turned, but I knew that I couldn’t. My wolf, although she was silent, prodded me to say something to him. I bit my lip then ventured further into the kitchen. “Logan, about last night... I’ve been thinking. Maybe you’re right. I shouldn’t just assume you’re out to hurt me. And… I’m sorry.”

He stopped what he was doing, his back still to me. “Thanks for the apology, but it’s not about last night, Ella.”

His tone piqued my curiosity. “What’s wrong, then?”

Logan sighed heavily, finally turning to face me. Now that I could finally get a good look at him, I could see how utterly exhausted he looked, the dark circles under his eyes more pronounced than usual. His face had a drawn expression to it, and his shoulders looked tense. It became clear to me that he really didn’t sleep at all last night.

“It’s my father,” he began, his voice laden with frustration. “He had a heart attack last night. He’s okay now, but…”

I felt a pang of sympathy. No matter how much I disdained Leonard, I didn’t want to see him get hurt; and I especially didn’t want to see Logan in pain. “I’m so sorry, Logan. Are you okay?”

He shrugged noncommittally, avoiding my gaze. “It’s complicated,” he said. “He’s getting older, you know, and his health isn’t great. I made the stupid decision of asking him if he’s got his affairs in order and he… He’s considering leaving the entire fortune to Harry.”

The revelation hung in the air between us, a tangible symbol of the strained relationship between Logan and his father. “What will you do?” I asked.

Logan sighed. “I don’t know,” he murmured. “I deserve that fortune, not Harry. I don’t fucking get it.”

I paused, unsure of what to say. This fortune had been the entire reason that either of us were doing any of this; he had wanted it since the beginning, and it was a major point of contention between us. If it weren’t for this fortune, I knew that Logan could leave here. He could walk away from this life in the mafia, start over somewhere else. Maybe even start over with me. We’d be safe, free from Marina and Harry’s manipulation and free from Leonard’s thumb.

And yet, somehow, I knew it would never be that simple.

“What if you just let it go?” I asked.

Logan shot me a wary look. “What?”

“The fortune,” I said, swallowing. “If he wants to give it to Harry, then let him. You know you don’t need it. You’d be happier, safer, better off just letting it go. This could all be over.”

“And then what?” Logan asked with a scoff, setting down his coffee mug so hard that it sloshed over onto the marble countertop. “Just let Harry take it all? Let him get what he wants?”

My eyes widened. “Logan, I wasn’t—”

“No, you don’t get it,” Logan said, his voice harsh. “I’ve worked too hard for this. You’re a lawyer, maybe you can help me. Surely I can contest the will—”

“Logan,” I whispered, “is that what you really want? Is the money so important to you? What if Harry retaliates?”

Logan’s expression hardened, and he scoffed again, turning away from me. I watched as he gripped the edge of the counter, his shoulders stiff and his knuckles white with tension. “Oh, to hell with it,” he said. “You wouldn’t understand, Ella. It’s not about the money; it’s about being the lesser of two children, always in the shadow of my fucking brother.”

I reached out, touching his arm gently. “I do understand,” I said softly. “But maybe you don’t need that fortune, Logan. Maybe you can accomplish what you want without all the money and prestige.”

His reaction was immediate and surprising. He pulled away from my touch, a mix of surprise and anger in his eyes. “You don’t understand, Ella. This isn’t just about money. It’s about proving myself.”

I watched as he turned away, his shoulders tense. “Logan, listen to me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “This is a way out, not just for you, but for all of us. A fresh start. A clean slate… together.”

But he didn’t turn back. He paused in the doorway, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

“You and me, Logan,” I whispered, taking a step closer to him. “Let this fortune go, and then I’ll know. I’ll know that you’ve become the man you want to be.”

Logan paused for a few long moments, his shoulders trembling. For a moment, I thought that he might turn back around, that he might finally close the distance between us and kiss me. For the briefest of moments, I thought that we could finally escape this mess together. But that didn’t happen, and I was foolish for ever thinking it would.

“You’ll never get it,” he said quietly. “You don’t know what it’s like to be the lesser of two children. To be unloved by your own father.”

Without another word, Logan stormed out of the kitchen, leaving me alone. I heard the front door slam, causing me to flinch. Even my wolf was shocked by Logan’s outburst, his words biting deep for both of us.

And a moment later, I heard a car start in the driveway, followed by the screeching of tires… followed by deafening silence.