Ash's pov ;
Sitting on the edge of the couch, I stared blankly at the floor because the sound of Elijah's crying was still painfully echoing in my head.
My heart felt heavy with guilt and the overwhelming longing to run to his side and hug him tightly. But I couldn't do it at that time.
Noah's voice broke through the silence. "Ash…is this really your final decision?"
I looked up at him, my vision blurred with unshed tears. I nodded, even though it felt like I was tearing myself apart. "If I stay, I'll keep remembering…I'll keep remembering that I'm the reason Elijah's parents are dead. How can I stay after that?"
His gaze softened, sympathy etched into his features. "But leaving…you know it'll break him, right? He loves you, Ash. If it was past I would have agreed with your decision but after seeing him crying for you like that–"