klaroline story

chapter 6

Caroline stared at Marcel, her pulse hammering in her ears.

A way out.

That's what he was offering.

A clean break from Klaus, from this city, from the centuries-old war she was never meant to be a part of.

But she wasn't just thinking about herself anymore.

Her hand instinctively rested on her stomach.

She was thinking about them.

"You're wasting your time," she finally said, voice steady.

Marcel smirked. "Am I?"

Caroline took a step closer, squaring her shoulders. "I might not agree with Klaus's methods, and I sure as hell didn't plan for any of this, but I am not some damsel waiting to be saved."

Marcel exhaled, shaking his head. "I never said you were. But let's be honest—Klaus isn't exactly father-of-the-year material. How long before you realize that staying here means putting those kids in danger every single day?"

Caroline flinched, because he wasn't wrong.

Marcel took her silence as an opening. "You don't have to decide now. Just... think about it."

And then, with a knowing look, he disappeared into the night.

Caroline let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

Marcel was right about one thing—she needed to decide.

And soon.

Meanwhile...

Klaus stood at the edge of the balcony, staring into the city like it was a battlefield.

Elijah stepped beside him. "She's still gone."

Klaus didn't respond.

Because every instinct in his body was telling him to go after her.

To drag her back if he had to.

But Elijah's words from earlier still lingered.

"Let her find her way back to you."

Klaus hated waiting.

But for Caroline?

He would.

For now.

An Unexpected Confession

Caroline didn't return to the compound right away.

Instead, she found herself at Rousseau's, sitting in the dimly lit bar with a club soda, replaying the night's events in her head.

She barely noticed when someone slid into the seat across from her.

"Rough night?"

Caroline looked up.

Hayley.

She exhaled. "Oh, fantastic. Exactly the person I wanted to see."

Hayley smirked. "Relax, Barbie. I'm not here to fight."

Caroline took a sip of her drink. "Then what are you doing here?"

Hayley studied her for a moment, then said, "You're thinking about leaving."

Caroline froze.

Hayley nodded, like she'd expected that reaction. "I get it. I do. I used to think about it, too."

Caroline scoffed. "Yeah, well, you stayed."

Hayley's expression darkened. "Because I didn't have a choice."

Silence settled between them.

Then—

Hayley leaned forward, voice lower. "Look, I don't like you. And I know you don't like me."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Glad we cleared that up."

Hayley ignored her. "But I also know what it's like to carry Klaus Mikaelson's child. And I know how terrifying it is to realize that your life isn't just your life anymore."

Caroline's grip tightened on her glass.

Hayley sighed. "You can leave. If that's what you really want. But you need to be sure—because once you do, there's no coming back."

Caroline swallowed hard.

Because, deep down?

She knew Hayley was right.

Back at the Compound...

Klaus was in his study when he heard the front doors creak open.

His heart stopped.

And then—

Caroline walked in.

She looked exhausted. Torn.

But she was here.

She met his gaze, and for the first time in a long time, there was uncertainty in her eyes.

"I need to talk to you," she said softly.

Klaus nodded, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Then talk."