#Chapter 74: Bloodlines

ELENA When Derek finally emerged back into the waiting room, my breath caught in my throat. He looked pale. Worn. His shirt was wrinkled, his sleeve rolled halfway up, and there was a small bandage on the inside of his arm. But it wasn’t just his appearance that stopped me—it was his silence. I stood from my chair, my legs unsteady beneath me, and rushed to meet him. "Thank you," I breathed, unable to keep the emotion from my voice. "This could save Aiden’s life. I can’t thank you enough, I—" But he didn’t smile. Didn’t say he was happy to help. Didn’t tell me it was nothing. He just stared at me, expression unreadable. His eyes were glassy, his mouth set in a hard line. My words faltered and trailed off, swallowed by the quiet hum of the hospital. "Derek?" I asked softly. He looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time. Then finally, he spoke. "Elena," he said, voice low and strained. "I’m going to ask you something. And I need you to be completely honest