ElliotWhen I finally walked into the boardroom, their faces looked like some overfed monkeys.The long mahogany table was filled with familiar faces...men and women who had sat in those same seats for years, acting like they ran the company.They didn’t.I did, I've always been the one.I took my time, adjusting my cuffs as I strolled to the head of the table. No one spoke. They were just waiting, and watching. Gerald sat near the end, flipping through a report, his expression neutral. He wasn’t the enemy, but he wasn’t my ally either...not yet.I finally took my seat, leaning back in the leather chair, letting the silence settle."Let's not waste time," I said. "I know you’ve all been waiting to air your concerns, so go ahead. Entertain me."The CFO, an older man with sharp eyes, cleared his throat. "Mr. Prescott, while we respect your leadership, your abrupt departure created instability. The stockholders...""The stockholders are relieved that I’m back." I cut him off smoothly. "
Susan The message stared back at me like a challenge. Eleanor Prescott requests your presence for lunch. One o’clock. Prescott Tower, 45th floor. I didn’t need to think twice. This wasn’t an invitation...it was a summons. Elliot’s mother had spent years pretending I didn’t exist, treating me like a temporary inconvenience that would eventually disappear. But now, after everything that had happened...the scandal, Elliot’s return, the press conference that rocked the business world...she was suddenly willing to sit down with me? I stepped out of the cab and took a deep breath before walking through the grand entrance of Prescott Tower. The lobby was pristine, with marble floors and golden accents, exuding the kind of wealth that was meant to intimidate people like me. But I wouldn’t be intimidated. The elevator ride to the 45th floor felt both too long and too short. When the doors slid open, I was met with an airy, sunlit dining area. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city
Susan I walked out of Elliot’s office without looking back.I could still hear his voice...sharp, cutting, and desperate...“Don’t do this, Susan.” But I had to.Because in the end, love wasn’t enough.Not when his mother still saw me as an outsider. Not when the world still whispered about how I wasn’t good enough for Elliot Prescott. Not when, no matter how much I tried to prove myself, I still felt like I was fighting a battle I was destined to lose.And if signing my name on a damn contract was the price for being accepted into his family, for securing a future where his mother wouldn’t look at me like I was nothing, then so be it.I ignored the sting in my chest and walked down the halls of Prescott Enterprises with quiet determination. My heels clicked against the marble floors, my heart pounding with every step toward the woman who had made me feel small for so long.Mrs. Prescott was waiting for me.She sat behind a grand mahogany desk, poised and elegant, a picture of unshaka
Susan The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across Meera’s apartment. I blinked awake, the events of last night crashing down like a tidal wave. My head throbbed, not from the wine but from the weight of my choices.I had betrayed Elliot’s trust.And worse...I had done it knowing exactly how much it would hurt him.I turned on my side, expecting Meera to still be asleep, but she was already sitting up against the headboard, scrolling through her phone.“Morning, traitor.” She didn’t even look up as she spoke, but the sarcasm was thick in her tone.I groaned, burying my face into the pillow. “I don’t need the judgment this early.”“Well, too bad,” she snapped, tossing her phone onto the bed. “Elliot called me twice.”That got my attention. I shot up, my heart beating rapidly. “What?”“And texted,” she added, handing me her phone.I hesitated before reading.Elliot Prescott: Where is she?Elliot Prescott: She’s not at the penthouse. If she’s with you, tell
Susan I took a deep breath as I stepped into the headquarters of the Prescott Foundation. The towering glass doors reflected the morning sun, casting a golden glow over the entrance. This was my new beginning, but not in the way Mrs. Prescott had envisioned.The receptionist, a woman in her late thirties with sharp eyes behind black-rimmed glasses, looked up at me and stiffened slightly. "Good morning, Ms. Hart," she said, her voice polite but laced with curiosity.It was clear...everyone here knew who I was. Not as Susan Hart, the new employee. But as her. The woman Elliot Prescott was involved with. The one who had seemingly walked into this job with privilege wrapped around her like a designer coat.I straightened my shoulders, let them think what they wanted. I would prove them wrong."I'm here for my first day," I said with a calm smile.Her eyebrows lifted ever so slightly, but she nodded and picked up her phone. "Mr. Castillo will be with you shortly."I knew of Mr. Castillo..
SusanI adjusted my blazer and took a deep breath before walking into the boardroom. This was the opportunity I'd been waiting for...no room for nerves, no room for mistakes.But the moment I stepped inside, my breath caught.Ten years. It had been ten long years since I last saw him, and yet, there he was...Elliot Prescott, sitting at the head of the boardroom table like a king on his throne.The universe had a twisted sense of humor, throwing me into his world when I was at my lowest. Jobless, desperate, and hanging onto the last thread of my self-respect, I'd walked into this meeting thinking it was just another pitch. But then his eyes...those same piercing green eyes...met mine, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.His piercing green eyes meeting mine the second I walked in. Time hadn't touched him, if anything, it had made him sharper, more composed. The air in the room suddenly felt too heavy."Ms. Hart," a man sitting beside him said, oblivious to the jolt of recognition betw
SusanThey say you never forget your firsts. First day of college. First time living away from home. First real taste of independence. And for me, my first love.I still remember the way the sun drenched the campus that morning, illuminating the sprawling lawns and the old brick buildings. I was 18, full of ambition, and ready to conquer the world...or at least my little corner of it. My backpack was heavier than necessary, my schedule meticulously planned, and my nerves barely under control.I had just exited the lecture hall after my orientation when I saw him. At first, it was just a passing glance. He stood out...not just because of his height or his sharp features, but because of the effortless way he seemed to exist in his space. Like he belonged there.And then I tripped.It wasn't a graceful stumble, either. My heel caught on an uneven patch of pavement, and I went sprawling forward, my books and papers scattering across the ground."Whoa...careful there."That voice...smooth
SusanI hadn't intended to stay up late that night, but sleep wouldn't come. The weight of the day lingered in my chest like an unwelcome guest, replaying itself over and over in my mind: Elliot's piercing gaze, his composed demeanor, and the haunting way he looked at me like he was still trying to figure me out.It didn't matter that a decade had passed since we last stood face-to-face. He still had that unnerving ability to make me feel seen...seen in a way that no one else could.My apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside. I sank into the couch, clutching a cup of tea I didn't plan to drink. My laptop sat on the coffee table, glowing faintly. I should've been preparing for follow-ups on the proposal, but my mind kept drifting to the past...to the first time Elliot and I weren't just strangers on a campus.****Flashback – Ten Years AgoIt had been almost a year since our first meeting. By then, Elliot Prescott was no longer just the cocky guy who'd helped m
Susan I took a deep breath as I stepped into the headquarters of the Prescott Foundation. The towering glass doors reflected the morning sun, casting a golden glow over the entrance. This was my new beginning, but not in the way Mrs. Prescott had envisioned.The receptionist, a woman in her late thirties with sharp eyes behind black-rimmed glasses, looked up at me and stiffened slightly. "Good morning, Ms. Hart," she said, her voice polite but laced with curiosity.It was clear...everyone here knew who I was. Not as Susan Hart, the new employee. But as her. The woman Elliot Prescott was involved with. The one who had seemingly walked into this job with privilege wrapped around her like a designer coat.I straightened my shoulders, let them think what they wanted. I would prove them wrong."I'm here for my first day," I said with a calm smile.Her eyebrows lifted ever so slightly, but she nodded and picked up her phone. "Mr. Castillo will be with you shortly."I knew of Mr. Castillo..
Susan The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across Meera’s apartment. I blinked awake, the events of last night crashing down like a tidal wave. My head throbbed, not from the wine but from the weight of my choices.I had betrayed Elliot’s trust.And worse...I had done it knowing exactly how much it would hurt him.I turned on my side, expecting Meera to still be asleep, but she was already sitting up against the headboard, scrolling through her phone.“Morning, traitor.” She didn’t even look up as she spoke, but the sarcasm was thick in her tone.I groaned, burying my face into the pillow. “I don’t need the judgment this early.”“Well, too bad,” she snapped, tossing her phone onto the bed. “Elliot called me twice.”That got my attention. I shot up, my heart beating rapidly. “What?”“And texted,” she added, handing me her phone.I hesitated before reading.Elliot Prescott: Where is she?Elliot Prescott: She’s not at the penthouse. If she’s with you, tell
Susan I walked out of Elliot’s office without looking back.I could still hear his voice...sharp, cutting, and desperate...“Don’t do this, Susan.” But I had to.Because in the end, love wasn’t enough.Not when his mother still saw me as an outsider. Not when the world still whispered about how I wasn’t good enough for Elliot Prescott. Not when, no matter how much I tried to prove myself, I still felt like I was fighting a battle I was destined to lose.And if signing my name on a damn contract was the price for being accepted into his family, for securing a future where his mother wouldn’t look at me like I was nothing, then so be it.I ignored the sting in my chest and walked down the halls of Prescott Enterprises with quiet determination. My heels clicked against the marble floors, my heart pounding with every step toward the woman who had made me feel small for so long.Mrs. Prescott was waiting for me.She sat behind a grand mahogany desk, poised and elegant, a picture of unshaka
Susan The message stared back at me like a challenge. Eleanor Prescott requests your presence for lunch. One o’clock. Prescott Tower, 45th floor. I didn’t need to think twice. This wasn’t an invitation...it was a summons. Elliot’s mother had spent years pretending I didn’t exist, treating me like a temporary inconvenience that would eventually disappear. But now, after everything that had happened...the scandal, Elliot’s return, the press conference that rocked the business world...she was suddenly willing to sit down with me? I stepped out of the cab and took a deep breath before walking through the grand entrance of Prescott Tower. The lobby was pristine, with marble floors and golden accents, exuding the kind of wealth that was meant to intimidate people like me. But I wouldn’t be intimidated. The elevator ride to the 45th floor felt both too long and too short. When the doors slid open, I was met with an airy, sunlit dining area. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city
ElliotWhen I finally walked into the boardroom, their faces looked like some overfed monkeys.The long mahogany table was filled with familiar faces...men and women who had sat in those same seats for years, acting like they ran the company.They didn’t.I did, I've always been the one.I took my time, adjusting my cuffs as I strolled to the head of the table. No one spoke. They were just waiting, and watching. Gerald sat near the end, flipping through a report, his expression neutral. He wasn’t the enemy, but he wasn’t my ally either...not yet.I finally took my seat, leaning back in the leather chair, letting the silence settle."Let's not waste time," I said. "I know you’ve all been waiting to air your concerns, so go ahead. Entertain me."The CFO, an older man with sharp eyes, cleared his throat. "Mr. Prescott, while we respect your leadership, your abrupt departure created instability. The stockholders...""The stockholders are relieved that I’m back." I cut him off smoothly. "
ElliotThe moment I stepped off that stage, the tension in the air was so thick one could cut it's edge with a knife..I barely made it into the hallway before Gerald caught up to me, his voice low but urgent."Sir..." He hesitated, carefully choosing his words. "That was unexpected."I smirked. "Was it?"Gerald sighed, running a hand through his neatly combed hair. "You know what I mean. I respect your decision, but the board was hoping for a... smoother resolution.""A resolution that involves me selling my personal life to fix their mess?" I turned to face him. "Tell me, Gerald....do I look like a man who needs to marry for the sake of PR?"He shook his head quickly. "Of course not, sir. I just..." He exhaled. "I just want you to come back. The company needs you."I studied him for a moment. Gerald wasn’t like the others. He wasn’t power-hungry, nor did he manipulate situations for personal gain. He was loyal...to the company, to my father’s legacy, and even to me.But loyalty woul
Elliot By the time the sun rose, I knew exactly what I needed to do. Susan was still asleep, her body tangled in the sheets, her breathing soft and steady. The night had been raw, and intense...a collision of emotions and desire that left no room for doubt. She loved me. I loved her. And I was done letting anyone question that. I slipped out of bed carefully, grabbing my phone as I stepped onto the balcony. The city stretched before me, but my focus was sharp...on one goal, one decision that would change everything. I dialed the number. Gerald answered on the second ring. “Mr Prescott.” His tone was clipped, unreadable. “I assume you’ve thought things through.” I exhaled slowly. “I’m holding a press conference.” There was a beat of silence. Then, “I see. So you’ve come to your senses.” I almost laughed. “Not in the way you think.” “Enlighten me.” I leaned against the railing, my grip tightening around the phone. “I’m not doing this on your terms, Gerald. I’m not using my
Elliot The whiskey burned as it slid down my throat, but I barely felt it. I wasn’t the type to drink when I was angry, but tonight? Tonight was different. Susan’s words still echoed in my head, cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. "Maybe for once, you should consider what I need too." She thought I was being selfish. That I didn’t understand what it felt like to want something so badly, to fight for it, to sacrifice for it. But what she didn’t see...what she refused to see...was that I was already sacrificing everything for her. And I’d do it a thousand times over. The living room was dim, the only light coming from the city skyline was through the windows. I had left the bottle of whiskey on the coffee table, the amber liquid swirling in the glass I gripped in my hand. I leaned back against the couch, my head tilting against the cushion, my mind a storm of frustration, love, and raw, aching need. The sound of the bedroom door opening made my muscles tense. Footsteps,
Susan The ride home was suffocating. Elliot’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white from the pressure. He hadn’t spoken a word since we stormed out of Gerald’s office, and the silence between us was deafening. I stole a glance at him...his jaw was clenched, his brows furrowed in deep frustration. He was mad. Mad at Gerald, mad at the situation. Mad at me. But I was mad too. I crossed my arms, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past. My mind was spinning with a mix of emotions I couldn’t contain anymore. The moment he pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine, I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to him sharply. “Why did you do that?” Elliot exhaled through his nose, rubbing a hand over his face before looking at me. “Do what?” “You didn’t even listen.” My voice wavered with frustration. “You just shut it down.” He turned fully in his seat, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. “Because it was bullshit, Susan. Gerald is using you. He’s