I was taken aback—why was Caden following me? At that moment, only the two of us were in the elevator. His intense gaze was locked on me, but I turned my head away, refusing to meet his eyes. An awkward silence filled the air. Caden's expression darkened, and his thin lips curled slightly. "Rosaline, what exactly is your relationship with Jasper?" I took a step back, my tone cold. "Definitely not what you're thinking." "Then what is it?" He moved closer, his voice low and demanding. I instinctively backed away, only to find myself trapped against the wall. There was nowhere left to go. "Answer me." His voice turned icy as he moved even closer. In an instant, his arms came up, pressing against the wall on either side of me, caging me in. The space between us vanished, the air thick with tension. My breath caught in my throat. I could feel Freya was getting excited again. If he kept pushing, I wouldn't be able to resist unleashing Freya—he needed to understand that my patience wasn't a sign of fear. Just as I was about to tell him to back off, the elevator suddenly jolted violently. The overhead light flickered a few times before plunging us into complete darkness. "Ah!" A sudden wave of darkness swallowed me whole, like an endless void pulling me in. Panic surged through me, and I let out a sharp cry. Without hesitation, Caden reached for me, pulling me tightly into his embrace. His voice softened. "Rosaline, don't be scared." That voice, that warmth—I knew them too well. Fear gripped me, and instinctively, I clung to him. My racing heart slowly steadied in the comfort of his arms. My mind flashed back to another time and another elevator when he had held me the same way, shielding me.But now, things had changed. "The elevator is malfunctioning," he muttered, one arm securely around me while he fumbled for his phone with the other. His tone was low and steady. I stiffened. "What should we do now?" Caden's grip tightened, pulling me even closer. "Don't worry, I'm here. You're safe." Pressed against him, I could hear the rhythmic thud of his heartbeat, a strangely soothing sound. Then, he leaned in, his nose brushing against my hair as he inhaled softly. That familiar closeness returned, wrapping around me like a memory I couldn't escape. In the darkness, his voice came, quiet but clear, right beside my ear. "Rosaline, can you come back to me?" His breath, tinged with the scent of cologne, brushed against my cheek, leaving a faint tingle. My chest tightened. What did he mean by that? One moment, he was all affectionate with Tessa, and now he was asking me to return to him. Was Freya right? Was he trying to have it both ways? I snapped out of my daze, ready to reprimand him. But just then, the overhead light flickered on, and the elevator hummed back to normal operation. The sudden brightness made me squint, momentarily disoriented. When I glanced up, my eyes met Caden's. He was watching me intently, his gaze deep and unreadable. The memory of what had just happened in the dark clung to my mind. Taking a steadying breath, I shoved aside the emotions swirling inside me and stepped away. Caden's POV: A moment ago, she leaned into me, seeking comfort. Now, with the light back, she was pulling away as if nothing had happened. I couldn't understand her at all. "You still haven't answered my question," I said, unable to hide the frustration creeping into my voice. Rosaline's lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in her smile. "What question?" My eyes locked onto hers. "Rosaline, can you come back to me?" I repeated, this time more serious than before. Before she could respond, the elevator chimed, signaling that we had reached the first floor. The doors slid open. Without hesitation, Rosaline pushed past me. "Caden, I'm leaving." She strode out without looking back, her determination cutting through me like a cold wind. I hesitated for a moment before following, only to see her heading straight toward a sleek black Bentley waiting outside. It was Jasper's car. The moment he saw her, he stepped out, concern written all over his face. "Are you okay? What happened?" Rosaline offered him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine." "Come on," he said, motioning for her to get in with effortless charm. Rosaline flashed a smile before slipping into the passenger seat. As Jasper's Bentley pulled away, a chilling emptiness settled in my chest. Not long ago, she had clung to me in the elevator, seeking comfort. Yet now, without hesitation, she had left with Jasper. How could I bring her back to my side? I stood frozen at the entrance for a while, my thoughts tangled. Then, without a second thought, I headed to the parking lot, slid into my car, started the engine, and followed them.