Eternal Echoes

Chapter One Hundred- Five: Merry Christmas, Michaella

3rd Person POV

When Michaella opened the door, a delivery man stood there, holding a breathtaking Christmas flower arrangement. The deep reds, golds, and lush greens took her by surprise, and for a moment, she just stared.

The delivery man cleared his throat, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Michaella Stone?"

"Yes," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"This is for you. Can you please sign?"

"Yeah, sure." She signed quickly, took the flowers, and nodded politely. "Thank you."

After closing the door, Michaella looked down at the arrangement, its beauty undeniable. She searched for a card, eventually finding one nestled between the roses. She pulled it out and read the simple, yet unmistakable handwriting: "Merry Christmas, Beautiful. D."

She let out a shaky breath. Damien.

Damien was... different. He was powerful, intense, someone whose mere presence commanded a room. There was something dangerously alluring about him, yet, with her, he was tender, surprisingly considerate. And here he was again, sending flowers on Christmas, showing a side of himself few people knew.

Lost in thought, Michaella turned around to find Elijah standing right behind her. He eyed the flowers before raising an eyebrow.

"Who are those from?" he asked.

"Damien," she replied.

Elijah's eyes widened slightly. "Ohhh, he's really trying."

"Yeah..." Michaella said, her voice trailing off.

Elijah studied her face. "Why do you seem... not happy?"

Michaella hesitated, her gaze shifting to the floor. "I thought it was from someone else," she admitted, almost ashamed.

Elijah's expression softened. "Michaella..."

"I know," she sighed. "I'm being stupid. I shouldn't be thinking of him. He probably has someone else in his life by now, anyway."

Elijah stepped forward, pulling her into his arms. "Ella, come here."

Michaella leaned into the hug, letting his warmth comfort her. But the tears wouldn't come. She had cried enough for Gabrielle; it seemed as though there were none left. After a moment, she pulled away and gave Elijah a grateful smile.

They went back inside, where her mom's eyes lingered on the flowers for a moment before turning away. Michaella could feel her mother's silent concern, the way she seemed to sense that something was off.

The night continued, and gifts were exchanged, the usual laughter filling the air, yet Michaella's heart wasn't fully in it. Suddenly, her phone beeped, and she instinctively reached for it, expecting Damien to ask if she liked the flowers.

But it wasn't him.

Merry Christmas, Michaella.

The message came from Gabrielle.

She felt her breath catch in her throat, her heart tightening painfully. She hated that he still had this effect on her, the way his name on her screen could undo her in seconds. They had agreed—no contact. Yet here he was, breaking that agreement with just three words.

Matthew and Marian, who were standing nearby, sensed something was wrong. They exchanged a glance, then watched as Michaella excused herself and stepped outside, into the freezing night. She needed air, a moment to breathe, to understand why this was happening.