REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 84: Are you hurt?

Before Elara could even see clearly who had rushed into the room, the men holding her suddenly let go and ran in panic.

A group of people in black overalls entered quickly, moving with trained steps. Elara recognized them at once.

Agents.

The tension in her body finally eased. She let out a slow breath she didn’t realize she had been holding and slid down the wall onto the floor. Pain spread through her limbs the moment she relaxed. It felt like every part of her body had been struck at once.

One of the agents chased after the fleeing men, while a female agent walked over and crouched beside her, checking her arms and shoulders carefully.

Elara could only breathe heavily as the woman examined her.

"Elara!"

A familiar voice cut through the room.

Her eyes moved quickly toward the door. Harris stood there frozen in place. Behind him was Ziva.

The moment their eyes met, Ziva rushed forward without hesitation. She dropped to her knees beside Elara and began checking her all over again. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Are you okay? Elara, are you hurt?"

"I’m fine," Elara said quietly and turned to the agent. She gave a small nod. "I can stand," she added, though her own voice sounded weak to her own ears.

She did not wait for anyone to stop her. She pushed herself up, but the moment she stood, her legs gave way and she almost fell back down.

Ziva quickly grabbed her arm. "Hey! Slow down. Let me help you."

Elara did not refuse. She let Ziva support her, leaning on her as they walked toward the door.

They passed Harris who was still staring at her. Neither of them said anything as they stepped into the corridor and moved toward the exit.

After a few steps, Elara broke the silence. "It’s over... right?" she asked, a faint smile touching her lips. Even as she said it, a thought lingered in her mind.

Why did things keep going wrong?

In her past life, it’s understandable. She had been naïve, trusting people who smiled like soft feathers but cut like hidden thorns.

But in this life... she had been careful. She kept her distance. She chose her steps and avoided trouble as much as she could.

So why did trouble still find her?

Was it fate... or was she simply unlucky, no matter how many times she started over?

"Let’s get to the car first," Ziva said quickly, her tone leaving no room for further thoughts.

When they stepped outside, the cold night air hit her immediately. Elara shivered without meaning to, her body tensing when the wind brushed against her torn clothes. Ziva felt it and tightened her hold while quickening her steps.

Three dark vans were parked nearby, most likely belonging to the agents. But behind them, standing out even in the dim light, was a sleek black sports car.

Elara’s gaze paused on it. She recognized it instantly.

Then she remembered that Harris was here. So, that meant he brought the car.

A quiet scoff formed in her chest.

He could hurt her... and then turn around and be the one to help her.

She didn’t know what to call that.

When they reached the car, Ziva opened the door quickly and helped her inside. "Wait here. I’ll be back," she said before closing the door and hurrying away.

Elara leaned back into the seat. The moment her back touched it, a sharp pain shot through her. She bit her lip hard to stop herself from making a sound, but a small groan still escaped.

She curled into herself, her body trembling. The cold had seeped deep into her bones, and her ruined clothes did nothing to shield her from it.

Then suddenly, something warm settled over her shoulders.

She stiffened.

Slowly, she lowered her gaze. A black office jacket rested around her.

Her breath paused for a moment before she turned her head to the side.

Adrian was sitting beside her.

He leaned back casually on the seat with a calm and unreadable expression. His silvery grey eyes fixed on her.

Elara quickly looked away and faced forward. She could still feel his gaze on her, heavy and unsettling in a way she could not explain.

After a moment, he finally looked away.

She let out a quiet breath. "Thanks," she muttered softly.

He did not reply.

Silence filled the car again until his voice came. "Are you hurt?"

The question caught her off guard. For a second, she almost choked on her own breath, but her face remained calm.

"I’m fine," she answered.

He didn’t respond. Instead, his gaze dropped to her wrists.

Elara followed his eyes. The skin around her wrists was red with faint bruises forming where the rope had pressed and cut against her. There were thin lines where the friction had broken the skin, making it look worse than it was.

"It’s nothing," she said quickly, turning her head toward the window. "What’s taking them so long..."

When she turned back, his eyes were still on her.

Somehow, she didn’t look away immediately. She found herself caught in that gaze. His eyes were like still water under moonlight, quiet and distant, yet glowing faintly from somewhere deep beneath.

A thought slipped into her mind before she could stop it.

The depth of the Lunaris Harbor.

She didn’t know how long she stayed like that, but she only snapped out of it when the front doors opened and Ziva and Harris got into the car.

Adrian was still looking at her.

She quickly turned her head away.

As the car began to move, Ziva spoke from the front seat. "The coordinators said the program is still on. We have about thirty minutes to get there."

Elara’s eyes lit up for a brief moment, but the light faded just as quickly when she looked down at herself. Her clothes were torn, her appearance completely ruined. She didn’t even know how to describe how she looked right now.

Adrian seemed to notice, but he said nothing.

Then Harris suddenly spoke up in a serious but playful tone. "Miss Veyne, please don’t worry at all. Everything has been prepared already. The dress is in the boot, and let me tell you, when I say it suits you, I mean it suits you. If fashion had a language, that dress would be writing poetry right now."

He continued without pause. "The makeup artist waiting for you at the venue? She’s top tier. By the time she’s done, even the mirror will hesitate before reflecting you properly. And the people at the venue... ah, let me not even start. The crowd is already restless. Some look like they might start singing your song themselves if you delay any longer. I wouldn’t be surprised if they set up a second concert out of impatience."

Ziva let out a quiet sigh at his exaggeration, but said nothing.

Elara only glanced at Adrian from the corner of her eyes.

She knew she shouldn’t feel anything from all this. And yet... there was a faint warmth in her chest.

Maybe he had no choice. Maybe this was just responsibility. He was her sponsor after all.

That had to be it.

She turned her gaze back to the window, watching the passing lights quietly.

She thought about asking Harris for the price of the dress.

But in the end... she said nothing...