He locked Ava away when I refused.
That was when I understood.
He needed me more than I needed him.
I healed him again—but this time, I left a knot of energy buried deep in his spine. A switch.
At the board meeting, cameras flashed as Elliot walked in on his own two feet. Power returned to him instantly.
Then the betrayal came.
Police. Mob money. A setup.
He faltered.
They reached for me.
I triggered the switch.
The power detonated.
Windows rattled. Guards flew across the room. Elliot moved like a force of nature.
The room surrendered.
I collapsed.
When I woke, I was in a hospital. Ava was safe.
Elliot came in quietly, back in his chair.
“The surge burned it out,” he said. “I can’t feel anything now.”
I started to apologize.
He stopped me.
The criminals were gone. My debt erased. Five million dollars sat on the table.
He had resigned.
“I wanted to walk to feel powerful,” he said. “But when you fell… I realized power wasn’t what mattered.”
He took my hand.
“For the first time in years, I don’t feel trapped.”
I felt a faint spark stir in my chest.
“Give me time,” I said softly. “We can try again.”
He smiled.
“I’ll wait.”
