An Elemental Difference - FIRE - Book 2 (Stefan Salvatore)

Chapter 88 - Aww, my fav couple are not hating on each other.

SHEILA'S HOUSEHOLD

After helping Sheila upstairs to rest, Caroline escorted Stefan to the door, where they lingered in the doorway, exchanging somber smiles.

"I really am sorry about lying," Caroline confessed, her tone tinged with regret.

Stefan waved away her concern, his smile gentle and understanding. "I know you'd do anything for Aella."

Caroline's eyes held a seriousness as she opened up to Stefan. "I'd kill for her. I nearly killed Tyler after what he said about her. Aella was devastated-"

Her words trailed off abruptly as she noticed the surprise in Stefan's eyes, realizing that Aella hadn't shared the full extent of what Tyler had confessed.

"You didn't know," Caroline realized, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Stefan let out a heavy, conflicted breath, diverting the conversation away from Tyler's words to Aella.

"Tyler told Aella what he thought of her?" Stefan inquired, his expression reflecting his concern.

Caroline was taken aback, wondering how Stefan knew about Tyler's confession when Aella hadn't mentioned it to him.

"What? You know what Tyler told me the night he left...?" she questioned, puzzled by Stefan's knowledge.

Shaking his head, Stefan gestured for Caroline to continue, prompting her to explain further.

"That night, when Aella saved us from the werewolves, Tyler came back when we were all sleeping. Well... supposed to be sleeping. We talked outside but Aella heard everything. Tyler went on about how Aella could be-"

Stefan nodded in understanding, cutting her off with a knowing look. "Could be the end of us all, yeah, he said the same to me."

Caroline let out a strained laugh, the tension palpable in the air between them.

"And you didn't kill him?" she asked incredulously, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

Stefan's head moved in a slight gesture, indicating that the thought had indeed crossed his mind.

"The thought had crossed my mind for a moment," Stefan admitted with a roll of his eyes, reflecting on the brief temptation.

Caroline's eyes narrowed with contemplation as she processed Stefan's admission.

"Why didn't you tell her?" she pressed, her tone edged with curiosity.

Stefan met her gaze with a thoughtful expression, understanding the weight of Caroline's question.

"If she hadn't overheard you, would you have?" Stefan countered, his words prompting Caroline to consider the implications.

Caroline shot him a look, silently conveying her resolve never to let Aella think she was a monster, even when faced with Tyler's wrongful accusations. Stefan nodded in agreement, recognizing the strength of Caroline's conviction.

"Exactly," Stefan continued, his voice steady. "Not because we're trying to protect her, because it's not true."

Caroline nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting her unwavering loyalty to Aella.

"Aella would die before she hurt any of us," Caroline affirmed, her voice firm with conviction.

Stefan mirrored her sentiment with a solemn nod. "She would." He gestured with his head to Sheilka's house, "Are you staying?"

As Stefan took a step towards his car, Caroline leaned tiredly against the doorframe, her weariness evident in her posture.

"Yeah, with Bonnie dead and Elena on lockdown at your place, I'm the only one left," Caroline explained with a tired sigh, her thoughts momentarily drifting to their absent friends.