Her Purpose || Kai Parker

Chapter 127

Everyone turned their gaze toward Estrella, whose eyes brimmed with tears as she locked her gaze on him.

Anora's voice was barely audible, trembling as she whispered, "Stefan."

Estrella shook her head, her tears cascading freely down her cheeks. Her shoulders trembled as Kai held her tightly, his voice steady yet filled with determination. "No," she said, her tone resolute.

"It won't happen-it can't. I've changed destinies before. With Lexi, Enzo, Katherine... remember? I'll change this too," she vowed, looking around at the others, her fiery conviction piercing the tense silence.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Stefan stepped forward, gently cupping Estrella's face and wiping away her tears with his thumbs. His voice was soft, and soothing as he asked, "Ella, what did you see?"

"I saw you di-I couldn't bear it, Stefan. I will give it up. I don't want this," Estrella sobbed, clinging to Stefan as he comforted her.

Caroline gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, while Elena stared wide-eyed, her face pale with shock. Damon stood frozen, his jaw tightening as he swallowed hard, willing himself not to believe it.

"You have a family now, Stefan. A future. I cannot forgive myself if something-if this is the price... I don't want this magic. I don't want any of it!" Estrella's sobs wracked her body, and she buried her face in his chest, her anguish spilling out in waves.

From the corner of the room, Damon approached, his expression a rare mix of tenderness and sorrow. Wrapping his arms around both Stefan and Estrella, he drew them into a familial embrace.

The rest of the group watched, their surprise giving way to quiet reverence as they witnessed this moment of unity. Yet behind Damon's warm smile lay the weight of an unspoken decision-one he had failed to carry out in the past.

Unbeknownst to Estrella, Stefan, too, had resolved on a course of action. Despite the ache it brought him, he was prepared to do whatever it took to protect his family. Both brothers, though differing in their methods, shared the same goal: to save Estrella and put an end to Agnes-banishing her to hell before dawn.

While Estrella, Kai, Bonnie, and the others began preparing to confront the hellfire's looming threat, Stefan sought out Caroline in a quiet corner of the house. Her face paled as he revealed his plan, her shock quickly giving way to protest.

"You're not doing this alone," Caroline insisted, her voice breaking. "If you think I'm leaving your side, Stefan Salvatore, you're more delusional than I thought."

He smiled, a fleeting warmth breaking through the heaviness of the moment. "Estrella would kill me before anyone else could," he joked lightly, earning a tearful laugh from Caroline. His tone grew more serious as he continued, "But I need you to promise me something. If this goes south... leave Mystic Falls. Live for the girls, Josie and Lizzie. They'll need you more than ever."

Caroline's tears fell freely as she cupped his face, her voice trembling. "I just need you to know how much I love you, Stefan. And I understand," she said, pressing her lips to his in a kiss filled with love and heartbreak. "Family comes first."

In another room, Elena sat on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling as she buried her face in them. Her sobs filled the silence, her heart breaking as Damon stepped inside. She looked up at him, her tear-streaked face filled with anguish. "Damon," she choked out, "I just got you back. I can't lose you again. Please, don't do this."

Damon knelt before her, his voice trembling as he took her hands in his. "Elena," he began, his gaze pained but resolute, "I have to. She's my sister. I've failed her before-I've failed so many people before. But this... this is my chance to make it right. If I can stop this, if I can save her, maybe the weight of my guilt will be a little lighter-even in hell."