Fated Bonds

Chapter 20

Arriving at the Gilbert house, Sabrina remained in the car while Elijah went inside to fetch Elena. Soon, the two emerged, and they all settled into the vehicle for the journey ahead.

"Hey, Lena," Sabrina called from the front seat, her tone attempting to sound light and friendly.

Elena offered a small, strained smile in response but stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. Elijah reached over and held Sabrina's hand, a gesture meant to comfort but that only seemed to heighten the tension in the air.

After a few moments of heavy silence, Elena finally spoke, her voice tinged with barely contained anger. "So, how long has this been going on?" she asked, her eyes still focused outside the window.

Sabrina glanced at Elijah, a hint of discomfort crossing her face. "Elena, I know this is difficult—"

"Difficult?" Elena interrupted, turning her sharp gaze towards Sabrina. "That's an understatement. You and Elijah... I just never saw it coming. We were best friends, Sabrina. How could you do this? How could you work with the enemy?"

Elijah squeezed Sabrina's hand tighter, attempting to interject. "Elena, it's not what you think. Sabrina and I—"

"Oh, spare me the details," Elena snapped, her voice rising with anger. "You were supposed to be there for me, Sabrina. Instead, you’re off conspiring with him and all of the mikaelsons"

Sabrina's expression hardened, a defensive edge entering her voice. "No, Elena. We were never friends. You were Caroline's friend, not mine. Don't twist this into something it's not."

Elena's eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "I can't believe you. After everything we've been through, you still see it that way? We may not have been as close as I was with Caroline, but I trusted you, Sabrina. And now you're siding with him?"

Elijah sighed, frustration evident in his voice. "This isn't about sides, Elena. It's more complicated than that."

"Complicated?" Elena's voice trembled with emotion. "You call this complicated? You're betraying everything we fought for, Elijah. And you," she turned her gaze back to Sabrina, "you're just as guilty. Working with him, knowing what he’s done, what he stands for."

Sabrina's face softened slightly, but her resolve remained. "Elena, you don’t understand. This isn't about choosing sides or betraying anyone. There are bigger things at play here."

Elena shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "No, Sabrina, you're the one who doesn't understand. You both have made your choices, and they have consequences."

Silence filled the car again, heavier and more oppressive than before. Sabrina and Elijah exchanged a pained look, knowing that this journey was going to be much longer and more difficult than they had anticipated. The weight of unspoken words and unresolved conflicts pressed down on them, turning the drive into a somber reflection of the fractured relationships within the vehicle.