Elena.Locked in the estate for two days with no one but the kids and a throbbing nose as company wasn't as fun as I thought it would be.For one, the kids were more whiney than usual.If Charlotte wasn't running away with something that belonged to Jaden, Jaden was messing up with something that belonged to Charlotte. A total mess.I strode through the hallways of the Halloway Estate, carrying a stack of snacks to satisfy my sweet tooth. At almost midnight, I was in no hurry to get back to the room I had acquired for myself in Sebastian's wing.The building was almost as hollow as the hole in my heart.I barged into the empty office close to his wing."It is common courtesy to knock before entering a room."I invited myself to the seat in front of him. "It is common courtesy not to punch a woman's nose because of a lover that was never truthful to you."Ryan's mouth drew in a flat, dissatisfied line.His face, on the other hand, was healing terribly. Courtesy of Sebastian's knuckles
Sebastian.In hindsight, taking Elena to that fundraiser probably wasn't the best idea I had ever had. The short-term gain of keeping Vanessa, Kevin, and Charles quiet about the whole situation wasn't worth the long-term pain of seeing another scandal I was involved in on the news.So long anonymity. "You fucker. How dare you lay your hands on me.""I could tell everyone about your real wife, the mother of your son."Every time I thought about the short conversation Ryan had with himself whenever I punched him, I wanted to cringe and annihilate myself.Cameras out, videos being recorded, Kevin carrying Elena out with some of my security details on them, the emptiness in my chest even more empty without her.It was unacceptable.Wanting to marry her because I needed someone for Romanov was acceptable. Wanting to tell her everything about myself and the business was not.It didn't matter that she might be the only one to understand and comfort me. It was simple wrong.I allowed her cud
Elena.Trying to outsmart a man like Sebastian would always be futile, no matter what anyone did.He kept his devices under lock and key, to be opened with only special passwords.Not his name. Not his son's name. Not even Rachel's name."What kind of business are you involved in?" I whispered under my breath as I grazed the edge of the wooden desk at the other end of the room, hidden beneath tons of clothes.Everywhere was quiet. Too quiet for me. Sebastian had decided that taking Jaden to the field outside to discuss the ring he found was best for all of us.I didn't want to know much about his dead wife nowadays. Wasn't the best sort of conversation when one had sex.I knew the risks of what I was currently doing. But too much was on the line. Elliot's threats would ruin me, and by extension, Sebastian.If anyone asked, I was currently doing him a favour.I dropped to my knees, pulling open the drawers to the desk one after the other. Files, contracts, and neatly arranged stationer
Elena.Hours after I left the mansion with a parting smile and a promise to bring Charlotte to visit her grandparents, Elliot showed up at the front of my door."What do you want?" I held the door open, confusion etched across my features.It wasn't like he couldn't visit me. He wasn't friends with James, and I lived with James."I can't get enough of my little niece, so I decided to visit." He walked in, instantly going for Charlotte, who giggled at the cartoons I had on. "I've been thinking of getting one of these soon.""Children are not toys to just be gotten. They're a gift for the worthy....and you're..." I stared at him, gesturing to his whole self. "You.""James got blessed with one of them. He's not better than me."I shrugged, content with watching him just play with Charlotte. But when he turned to me, I sighed."Did he do that to you?" He asked.I knew what he was referring to. A punch mark on my shoulder that I had been careful to cover with makeup when I left the house.
Elena.No one actually thinks they are a bad person.I was playing the game for the long run."There are two options. Get me in on your husband's business and everything it entails, or provide the money and diamond you and James stole from the office."A tough call.I could never be able to provide those.In my defence, I had a good reason for shooting James and inadvertently causing the destruction that followed. I had good reasons for staying away from my dad and Evangeline.When I made attempts for them to end James's life quietly, they had refused.Blackmailing me shouldn't be an option in their lives.The blackmail wasn't something I could tell Sebastian, not when I made a deal with Ryan already.I should have told Sebastian from the beginning. He would have handled the situation in a way that I never could, with poise and dignity. Then again, if I had done that, Elliot wouldn't be able to care for James anymore.I adjusted the tablet in my hand. Between learning how to use devic
Elena.I had no idea how on earth I was supposed to follow a man who was using a car to get to his destination, with a group of people tailing him already.But I knew I had to do it. Even if it was the last thing I did.**Sebastian's face had leached of colour. "That was days ago." He said, his voice low. "People tell their kids stuff all the time. Just to get them off their back.""Did yours? Because until you needed me for some sort of deal, I wasn't more than a nanny to your son to you."He flinched. "Look. I shouldn't have said what I said, but I'm very protective of... Jaden, he's my son, especially after what happened to Rachel. You know, as well as I do, how a child would feel if something happened to someone else he cared about.""So what would happen years after you're done with me?" I couldn't change the sting from the memory. "Once I can be disposed.""You would never be disposed." He raked his hands through his hair, successfully destroying the sleek back look. He was cl
Sebastian.If Elena was to be described with one word, it was stubborn.The novelty of being our little argument at the estate faded quick when she insisted on coming with me to wherever I was going to.The way we had left things moments ago gnawed at me, and it was quite possible I would go insane if nothing was done about it.I gave in.I was happy that I finally got an audience with Adrian Romanov, but all I could think about was Elena.I stared at her as we walked through the door of the apartment complex where we were supposed to meet. She wore a simple black gown that flared out at the waist side and ended at her knees, but she glowed in a way that made it impossible to look away.I traced her features with my eyes, soaking in the curve of her lips and the way her features came together to birth a beautiful being. When she gave me a little smile to show her support, my heart dipped.Where people smiled with just their mouth, Elena smiled with her eyes. The way the corner of her
Elena."My old man's name is Adrian Romanov too. He wants to meet you, and only you."Adrian Romanov's words played a loop in my head like a broken record. Two days after we met and I was yet to find the pause button.Even now, as I watched the kids play, I sensed the torment from Ryan when he couldn't come close to me since Sebastian stayed home and by my side a lot.I also sensed something else from Sebastian. An hostility I never knew he had until now towards Ryan.We'd returned after his conversation with the Russian lord, my heart a vigorous drum in my chest, my blood vibrating in my veins. It was like he had something important he wanted to ask, yet kept himself at a distance. "Does he plan to hurt you too?"Yes.Ryan would stop at nothing to hurt me or the kids if it meant he would have a chance to get some time with his precious James. But I needed his help with Elliot.I'd always been the good girl. The one who loved her parents and hoped for a healthy marriage like theirs w
Elena.Two weeks later.The day I decided to end the marriage contract with Sebastian, the sky was an endless stretch of grey.The kind of grey that blankets the world in a dull, heavy silence, making everything feel colder, more distant. I found it fitting, really. I was about to make the hardest decision I had ever made. The world should feel as bleak as I did inside.We sat across from each other at the kitchen table. The kids were in the other room,playing with their toys and whatnot.We both stared at the divorce papers in front of us, Sebastian’s face as unreadable as ever.He hadn't said much when I told him what I wanted. No anger, no argument. Just an unsettling calm that made me wonder if that was what he wanted."I think this is the best thing for all of us." I said quietly, breaking the silence that threatened to envelope us. "After everything that happened. The lies. I need to focus on gibing those kids their own lives. And you need to take care of your demons."He looke
Elena.The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on me as we were escorted out of that hellish place.The men were all around, their voices distant as they checked around the area, and talked to each other.But all my focus was on the two little hands gripping mine tightly - Charlotte on one end and Jaden on the other.Sebastian was by my side as well, his face distant but resolute as we made it outside.There were paramedics around, checking us over. Their gentle hands tended to the cuts and bruises we had.But no matter how many times I told them I was okay, I knew I wasn't. I kept glancing at Charlotte and Jaden, reassuring myself that they were here, that they were safe. But each time I looked at them, I couldn’t help but remember Ryan’s cold, calculating voice, his cruel smile as he threatened the children. It haunted me, replaying in my mind over and over again.I had no idea how I was going to tell Charlotte that her father was dead yet, and that was the reason
ElenaThe cold floor bit into my skin, the damp air thick with the scent of mildew and....urine. Thud. Thud. Thud.My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic rhythm that drowned out the echos of Charlotte whimpers."Mommy." Charlotte's voice was barely a whisper as she unwrapped her arms around me and moved to my side.Jaden was on the floor. Passed out cold from the looks of it.The terror in my eyes mirrored that in Charlotte's. They must have brought him in when we fell asleep.I held unto him.I had to be strong for them.But how was the possible when every breath felt like it could be my last.Footsteps echoed along the hallway, signifying the presence of a couple of people. The door creaked open, and I felt my heart stop.Ryan stepped into the cell, his face twisted into a mask of cold, calculating fury. Behind him, Sebastian’s limp form was dragged in by one of Ryan's men.Blood matted his hair and clothes, and I had to bite back a scream."It's only fitting that I kill the whole
"Elena. Get up. Now."I woke up to the harsh whisper slicing through the silence.Disoriented, I wasn't surprised to find myself alone on the bed, the remnants of last night's comfort dissipated like smoke.What was happening?"Sebastian?" I called out softly, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.Something was wrong.He was at my side in a flash, his hand gripping mine tightly.For the past eight months, I had worked with and even married him and I had never seen the expression he wore on his face."Get dressed quickly." Sebastian commanded, his voice low but firm. "We need to leave. Now."Panic clawed up my throat. "What's going on?"Sebastian's jaw clenched. "I have no idea what kind of deals you held with Ryan and Elliot but Ryan has gone rogue. He's going to kill you the way he...."A pang pierced my heart at the realisation.Scrambling to my feet, I could feel my heart racing as I yanked on my clothes. "Charlotte, Jaden...""She'
Elena."Hey."I had my arms wrapped around myself, unshed tears glistened in my eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see me like this, but... I didn't want... Charlotte..."My lips trembled in an effort to keep the wobbly smile I had on."Fuck whatever happened." He was by my side in an instant, his eyes scanning my exposed body for any sign of injury. "What happened now? Did Ryan..."His words hung in the air. I could see the way he struggled with himself mentally."It's Charlotte father." I swallowed hard. "My first husband, James Miller. The hospital called and said he was admitted after a car accident. He's..he's..." I choked on a sob I didn't want to slip out.I guess I didn't need to finish my sentence before he understood what I was trying to say. But I didn't expect sympathy from him - his wife crying over her first husband - or anyone in this estate. I expected rage."Come here, sweet girl." The rough crack in his voice was unexpected.He opened his arms, and I didn't hesitate to ste
Elena."My old man's name is Adrian Romanov too. He wants to meet you, and only you."Adrian Romanov's words played a loop in my head like a broken record. Two days after we met and I was yet to find the pause button.Even now, as I watched the kids play, I sensed the torment from Ryan when he couldn't come close to me since Sebastian stayed home and by my side a lot.I also sensed something else from Sebastian. An hostility I never knew he had until now towards Ryan.We'd returned after his conversation with the Russian lord, my heart a vigorous drum in my chest, my blood vibrating in my veins. It was like he had something important he wanted to ask, yet kept himself at a distance. "Does he plan to hurt you too?"Yes.Ryan would stop at nothing to hurt me or the kids if it meant he would have a chance to get some time with his precious James. But I needed his help with Elliot.I'd always been the good girl. The one who loved her parents and hoped for a healthy marriage like theirs w
Sebastian.If Elena was to be described with one word, it was stubborn.The novelty of being our little argument at the estate faded quick when she insisted on coming with me to wherever I was going to.The way we had left things moments ago gnawed at me, and it was quite possible I would go insane if nothing was done about it.I gave in.I was happy that I finally got an audience with Adrian Romanov, but all I could think about was Elena.I stared at her as we walked through the door of the apartment complex where we were supposed to meet. She wore a simple black gown that flared out at the waist side and ended at her knees, but she glowed in a way that made it impossible to look away.I traced her features with my eyes, soaking in the curve of her lips and the way her features came together to birth a beautiful being. When she gave me a little smile to show her support, my heart dipped.Where people smiled with just their mouth, Elena smiled with her eyes. The way the corner of her
Elena.I had no idea how on earth I was supposed to follow a man who was using a car to get to his destination, with a group of people tailing him already.But I knew I had to do it. Even if it was the last thing I did.**Sebastian's face had leached of colour. "That was days ago." He said, his voice low. "People tell their kids stuff all the time. Just to get them off their back.""Did yours? Because until you needed me for some sort of deal, I wasn't more than a nanny to your son to you."He flinched. "Look. I shouldn't have said what I said, but I'm very protective of... Jaden, he's my son, especially after what happened to Rachel. You know, as well as I do, how a child would feel if something happened to someone else he cared about.""So what would happen years after you're done with me?" I couldn't change the sting from the memory. "Once I can be disposed.""You would never be disposed." He raked his hands through his hair, successfully destroying the sleek back look. He was cl
Elena.No one actually thinks they are a bad person.I was playing the game for the long run."There are two options. Get me in on your husband's business and everything it entails, or provide the money and diamond you and James stole from the office."A tough call.I could never be able to provide those.In my defence, I had a good reason for shooting James and inadvertently causing the destruction that followed. I had good reasons for staying away from my dad and Evangeline.When I made attempts for them to end James's life quietly, they had refused.Blackmailing me shouldn't be an option in their lives.The blackmail wasn't something I could tell Sebastian, not when I made a deal with Ryan already.I should have told Sebastian from the beginning. He would have handled the situation in a way that I never could, with poise and dignity. Then again, if I had done that, Elliot wouldn't be able to care for James anymore.I adjusted the tablet in my hand. Between learning how to use devic