**Stefano’s POV**

The door slammed shut in my face with a final, brutal sound.

I stood frozen in the hallway, staring at the polished wood of the door. I waited for it to swing open again. I waited for Elena to realize she couldn't live without me, just as I couldn't breathe without her. I waited for her to call my name and tell me to come back inside.

She didn’t.

Thenthe hallway's silence was broken by a soft, muffled gasp, followed by a low, jagged moan of pain.

She was crying.

My chest ...