The relief that coursed through me was so intense, I sagged against the pillow with my phone clutched in my hand as I waited for the call. I picked up before the buzz turned into a ring.

“Hey.” I sounded winded and was so tense I had to remind myself to blink.

There was a lot of noise wherever he was, but when he spoke I could hear the exhaustion in his voice. “I’m sorry I can’t take you to Entoto today, but my father is not…well. My mom was afraid of leaving him alone, so I volunteered to stay so she and my sister could go home to rest.”

This man did not need to be worrying about my feelings right now. “No, please don’t apologize. I completely understand. How is he doing this morning?”

The long exhale on his end was almost answer enough. “His heart is fine, but they wanted to observe him overnight. He gets like this a lot, terrified he’s dying. He wasn’t in a good headspace all night and this morning.” He let out another long breath. “Wherever he is mentally, he’s not feeling safe to go home at all, and I feel completely useless.”

That sounded hard and complicated, and I didn’t think it was my place to ask more. “I’m sorry,” I said lamely.

“It is what it is.” His voice was so flat and lifeless, such a contrast from yesterday.

“Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to bring something for you? Coffee or breakfast?”

“No.” His tone was more forceful than I’d ever heard it. “My mother and sister will be here soon, and I’ll go home.”

“Oh, okay,” I answered hesitantly, realizing his voice seemed almost panicked.

Of course, he was probably worried I’d show up and out him to his family. Because this wasn’t a game, and even though Elias had been nothing but amazing and open over the past couple of days, this wasn’t just a quick trip for him. This was his home, and his life had complications.

That eye-opener was the bucket of cold water I’d needed and hadn’t gotten on my talk with Lucía. There were serious consequences to what we were doing, and I could just pack up and go home. Elias, on the other hand, could lose everything.

“I should probably let you go. Don’t want to keep you from your dad. I hope you get some rest soon,” I said, trying hard to sound normal, but failing miserably.

“Are you okay, Desta?” He was now worried about me, because my mess knew no bounds.

I tried really hard to inject some brightness in my voice. “Yes, of course. I hope your dad’s on the mend soon. I’m glad you can be there with him.”