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CHAPTER XXI. Miss Caine's Home for Children
Elina wasn't someone who easily warmed up to people, and she certainly didn't hide it well. Her years as an agent had been a series of battles, not just against enemies but against herself-her distrust, her guarded heart, her struggle to connect. Finding a partner she could work well with had been a challenge from the very beginning. She was selective, and her standards were high.
Over time, she had only ever managed to work well with three people. Her sister Natasha, of course-there was a bond there that transcended mere partnership. Then there was Zoya, her closest friend and confidante, who had understood her in a way no one else had. And... well, the third didn't matter as much anymore. No one could ever quite fill the void that Zoya had left behind. By the time Elina reached her fourth partner, she was convinced she'd never find someone she could truly trust again.
But then she met Xavier Sarian. He, too, had struggled to find the right partner. There was a darkness in his past, just like in hers-something that lingered, unresolved and heavy. From the moment they were paired together, something clicked. They were both guarded, both haunted, both wary of letting anyone in too close. And yet, somehow, they became inseparable. It was as if the gaps in their histories fit together perfectly, two damaged pieces of a puzzle that formed a whole.
Xavier didn't talk much about his past, and neither did Elina. Instead, they found comfort in the present, in the shared silences, the unspoken understanding that sometimes it was enough just to be near someone who knew what it felt like to keep secrets. They didn't need to know every detail of each other's lives to bond over what they could share-grief, hope, a determination to make something good of their futures.
One day, during a rare moment of downtime, Xavier mentioned a volunteer program he had been involved with for years-a home for underprivileged children in Washington. He described it with a quiet passion that caught Elina's attention. He talked about the kids there, their stories, their struggles. The way his face softened when he spoke about them intrigued her. He called it "a refuge for the lost," a place where kids who hadn't been given a fair shot at life could find a semblance of safety and love.
The more Xavier talked about it, the more interested Elina became. She had never imagined herself as someone who would spend time at what others would call an orphanage, but the idea resonated with her in a way she didn't expect. Perhaps it was because she had once felt lost too, looking for someone to show her the way. When Xavier invited her to come along one day, she agreed without hesitation.
The first time she visited, Elina felt a strange tug at her heart. The children were full of life, despite their circumstances. They were eager, curious, and simply wanted someone to notice them, to care. Elina found herself returning often, sometimes even without Xavier. There was something about the place that drew her in, a sense of purpose she hadn't felt in a long time. She saw bits of herself in the children, in their longing looks and shy smiles.
