Chapter 14: The Ride HomeThe rain fell in silver sheets, turning the city lights into watery smears of color. Elara stood shivering under a narrow awning, her phone dead, hailing a cab that never stopped. The emotional exhaustion from the day had left her hollowed out, a shell of her usual sharp self.A sleek, black car pulled to the curb, its window sliding down silently. Leo’s profile was illuminated by the dashboard glow.“Get in,” he said, his voice flat, leaving no room for argument.For once, she didn’t have one. She slid into the passenger seat, the warmth and the scent