Chapter 22

After spending the whole night on a plane, Elliot finally made it to Nekkerland and got to the venue just as Serena's engagement ceremony was about to start. Backstage, Serena had just finished slipping into her gown and was all set to walk out when Elliot suddenly burst through the door. She froze, caught off guard by the fact that he had shown up, especially at that moment. After a brief pause, she still managed to speak, giving him a quiet nod. "Eli." She had called Elliot by that name many times before, but now, he didn't feel the warmth in it. When he saw her in that gown with an empty expression, a sharp pain rushed through him. It was so strong that it nearly overwhelmed him. His eyes turned red in an instant. The longing he'd felt while they were apart, blended with guilt, made him want to pull her close and hold her tight, just like he always used to. Elliot couldn't help himself and took two steps forward as he called her name gently. "Rena…" His eyes were full of mixed