Everest's Guardian Hubby Watched Me Freeze My Ghost Knows Where He'll Burn novel Chapter 19

Elara lingered just outside the studio, silently observing the scene unfolding before her. She remained completely quiet, her eyes fixed on them without a single word escaping her lips.

As it became obvious they had no intention of stopping anytime soon, Elara flagged down another photographer nearby.

“Hey,” she called softly, “would you mind taking a headshot of me? Black and white, something like a Sunday obituary photo.”

The photographer hesitated, gently trying to persuade her otherwise. “Black and white can be a bit harsh, you know? Color would bring out so much more warmth and life—”

But Elara was resolute. She wasn’t interested in a flattering portrait.

What she needed was a picture that looked like a funeral photograph.

Realizing she wouldn’t be swayed, the photographer sighed and agreed to take the shot.

By the time the print was ready, Nicholas and Valentina had finally wrapped up their lengthy photo session.

Valentina approached, clutching a small stack of photos, her smile apologetic and sheepish.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! We totally got carried away. Would you and Nick want to take a few shots together now?”

Elara glanced past Valentina at Nicholas, who avoided her gaze completely.

With a faint smile, Elara shook her head. “No, I’m good.”

Nicholas’s expression was heavy with guilt. It was clear he knew he’d messed up. Without hesitation, he hurried over and grabbed the handles of her wheelchair.

“Let me make it up to you,” he said earnestly. “There’s a jewelry store downstairs—I’ll buy you a necklace or something.”

Valentina’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, I’ve been wanting to check out their earrings, anyway. I can help you pick something out!”

The three of them wandered through the mall together, the atmosphere bustling and bright around them. Then Nicholas’s phone rang—a work call. The noise was too loud where they stood, so he excused himself and headed down to the parking garage to take it.

Elara had no interest in shopping. She quietly told Valentina she wanted to leave.

Valentina began pushing her wheelchair toward the elevators.

Suddenly, the fire alarm blared through the mall, shattering the calm.

Elara said nothing. Her face was expressionless, as if the fall and the pain hadn’t even registered.

The three of them moved through the mall in silence, the weight of the moment hanging heavily between them.

As they passed a young couple nearby, Elara caught the girlfriend’s voice.

“Did you see that guy? Everyone was running out, but he charged in. Apparently, his true love was trapped inside. When are you going to love me like that? Risk your life for me?”

Elara’s hands trembled quietly in her lap.

A memory from high school surfaced suddenly.

She had been cornered in a dark alley by a group of guys wielding baseball bats. Nicholas had come sprinting around the corner, armed with nothing but a switchblade, and fought them off to get her out safely.

That same reckless courage, that fierce willingness to throw himself headfirst into danger, was still there.

Only now, he wasn’t running toward her anymore.