“What do you need? I'll go get it," the driver offered promptly.

Erick glanced at Elin before responding, "I'll get it myself." He then exited the car and disappeared into the pharmacy, reappearing moments later with a bag in hand.

Upon arriving at the Foster estate, Elin quickly got out of the car, eager to leave the cramped space. But before she could walk away, Erick's voice halted her. "Elin, wait." He held out the pharmacy bag to her. “Here, don't forget to take these.”

Elin looked at the bag, seeing the emergency contraceptive pills within. She gripped it tightly, whispering, "I will."

Erick paused, hesitating before he spoke again. “About tonight, it was unexpected, and the blame falls solely on me for failing to control myself. If there has been any harm to your body, please let me know."

As Erick spoke with a hint of tenderness, Elin, who had been holding back her tears throughout the ride, could no longer restrain them.

Erick sighed, looking down. “Earlier, I was worried sick about you going to a bar alone. That's why I was so harsh. I apologize. Please don't take my harsh words to heart," he pleaded.

He paused before adding, “And... I'm not in the right mindset for relationships right now. If you're hoping for some kind of commitment from me, I'm afraid I can't offer that."

Erick knew his words reeked of selfishness. He hadn't come to terms with the evening's events yet, let alone expected Elin to understand.

He cared deeply for her, having seen her grow up. The thought of her emotional pain troubled him. With genuine concern, he offered, “Elin, if there's any way I can make amends, anything you wish for, I'll do everything in my power to fulfill it.”

Erick knew he couldn't commit to a serious relationship or marriage until he resolved his own family issues. This promise to fulfill Elin's wishes was the best he could do.

Erick's eyes lingered on Elin's youthful, innocent features. A wave of shame washed over him, realizing he could only offer her the stark truth. “If you're still upset, I can talk to Annis, try to make things right with her..."

"No!" Elin interrupted sharply, her voice filled with distress.

"Don't tell my mom!"

Seeing that Elin had finally broken her silence, Erick's expression softened. "Think about it. Let me know what you decide, and I will honor it," he said gently.

Elin had never expected an apology or an explanation, let alone compensation. Accepting any form of reparation would only reinforce the idea that she was manipulative and reduce their intimate moment to a mere transaction. To Erick, she might have been just a passing chapter in his life, but to her, it was the surrender of her first love. She harbored no regrets.

Her voice was a faint whisper as she spoke. “I don't need any compensation. Let's just pretend this never happened. You got nothing to worry about."

Erick's irritation flared at Elin's poised acceptance and her seeming indifference to giving up such a significant first experience.

Grasping her shoulder firmly, he emphasized each word. "Know this, even for me, mistreating you is forbidden.”

Retreating to her room, Elin sank into the comforting warmth of her bath. Erick's parting words echoed in her mind, a persistent reminder: