Bitter clash

(Nicholas)

I could still feel the dull ache in my stomach, a reminder of Isabella's kicks. My body was still recovering, and I could barely catch my breath without wincing.

Every movement, every shift, reminded me of how badly I'd been beaten by her. But what stung even more wasn't the pain. It was Elara.

I hadn't expected her to take it like this. To storm off, to say she was going to get revenge for what Isabella had done to both of us.

The thought of her putting herself in danger because of me made the blood in my veins boil. But that wasn't all. It was the way she looked at me—like I was some kind of failure.

"Seriously, Elara? You think going after Isabella is going to help anything?" I snapped, my voice harsh, even to my own ears. "You think you can just solve everything by running off and picking a fight? What are you even going to do? Get yourself hurt more than this?"