ElaineI stood outside Mr. Smith’s office after he summoned me, my heart thumping in my chest. The door, usually a gateway to opportunities and praise, felt more like the entrance to a lion’s den today. Normally, I would have been excited to be called in, eager to share new ideas and celebrate wins. But not today—not since we lost that very important deal with Bride Essentials.Fear clenched my heart as I contemplated whether I should knock or wait until my nerves settled down. Guilt gnawed at me, reminding me why I was in this position in the first place. Facing Mr. Smith had been so hard these last few days, yet I knew I couldn’t avoid it. It was my fault Roma was in this mess, and no amount of wishful thinking could change that.I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and pushed the door open. Inside, Mr. Smith sat behind his desk, looking tired but composed. Nancy was there too, seated stiffly on one of the chairs. Our gazes met, but her expression was hard to read.For
Elaine“What are you doing here?”My voice trembled, betraying the cold front I tried to put up. I crossed my arms, hoping it would make me feel stronger, but it didn’t stop the wave of anger and anxiety rushing through me. Tristan stood in the doorway, that infuriating smile plastered across his face like he hadn’t done anything wrong, like he hadn’t torn me apart with every betrayal and scheme he’d crafted with Megan.Seeing his pearly white teeth as he flashed that charming smile, I felt nothing but dread. It twisted something deep inside me. I felt sick, my stomach knotting painfully. How could he stand there, acting so normal after everything that had happened between us? Everything was broken. Because of him and Megan.And yet, he didn’t seem to mind.“Aren’t you going to invite your husband in?”Husband.That word hit me like a slap. I clenched my jaw, my teeth grinding as I tried to keep my composure. Husband? The title didn’t fit him anymore. Not after what he had done. The ma
ElaineTrevor stood at my doorway, his signature charming smile lighting up his face. He raised a bag of Chinese takeout in his hand and asked, with a playful glint in his eyes, "Care for some midnight snack?"Before I could respond, Tristan appeared behind me and swung the door wide open. A grin crept across his face, like he had been waiting for this moment. Trevor's smile faltered, slipping into uncertainty the second he saw him."I can explain," I stammered, feeling panic rise in my chest. But Tristan cut me off sharply."Explain?" he said. His voice dripped with confidence. "What for? I’m your husband. I don’t need to explain why I’m in my wife’s apartment." His gaze shifted to Trevor. He looked him up and down with barely concealed contempt. "Especially not to him."I clenched my fists as anger bubbled inside me. "Can you stop?" I snapped, my voice sharp. Without waiting for a response, I reached out and snatched the takeout from Trevor’s hands. "Perfect timing," I added, my to
Elaine“Did he really do that?” Liz’s voice rang with disbelief, cutting through the thick silence between us.I didn’t respond. Instead, I sipped my coffee, trying to steady my trembling hands. The events of last night kept replaying in my mind, over and over. Tristan barging into my apartment, his presence filling every corner, suffocating me. I hadn’t slept a minute since.Liz slumped onto the sofa, still stunned. “I always thought Tristan was a jerk, but barging into your apartment without permission? That’s beyond out of line. He’s completely lost it.”I forced a bitter smile. I never expected him to do something like that. Sure, he was arrogant, but this? The fear I felt as he stood there, towering over me like some predator. I can’t shake it. Tristan was powerful, relentless, an alpha. I felt like nothing more than an insect under his gaze, knowing he could’ve done anything he wanted. I wouldn’t have been able to stop him.The thought sent a cold shiver through me.“Elaine? Hel
ElaineThat morning, I woke up with a smile, the kind that felt like it was trying to burst out of me. The text from Nancy the day before had filled me with an overwhelming sense of anticipation. Today, I had a feeling it would be a good day. No, a great day. If Nancy and Mr. Smith had secured a contract with Everett Innovations, it would give Roma Aesthetics the boost we needed to stay competitive given the fallout we had with Bride Essentials.As I brushed my hair, I allowed myself a moment to daydream. A new contract meant stability, hope, and a fighting chance for the company I’d poured my heart into. Today, I wasn’t just going to work. I was walking into a new chapter, one full of possibilities.Looks like things are starting to get better. I grabbed my bag, locked the door behind me, and headed to the street to hail a cab. Almost immediately, one pulled up.The old cab driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror a few times before he finally spoke. "You seem awfully happy
ElaineMr. Everett chuckled, clearly proud of himself, and even Mr. Smith glanced at me with an awkward grin, aware of the tension that was brewing inside me. This reunion was far from anything romantic as Mr. Everett had been thinking. Rather, it was nothing but suffocating. I felt breathless as the room felt heavy with silence. I was speechless and was caught completely off guard. My mind raced and I tried to make sense of what was happening. Looking at Nancy’s serious expression, there's no denying what was happening. Her face confirmed that this wasn't just a regular meeting. It was far more. Mr. Smith, on the other hand, looked anything but pleased. His frown deepened as he glanced at Tristan, who sat there looking far too comfortable for my liking.Mr. Everett Everett’s smile, however, remained as warm as ever. He greeted me with a nod as if nothing unusual had just transpired.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to regain some composure. Tristan's familiar voice cut through the t
Elaine“If there’s no problem, then I guess it’s settled. We can now proceed to the contract signing—"Before I could even react, Mr. Smith stepped in. “I think we can postpone that thought for a moment. While we’re excited to get into this new project, I need to consult with my team first just to make sure we can deliver what’s expected of us. The last thing we want is another failure. Can you give us a few days to study the proposal? We’ll be sure to update you before the end of the week.”I breathed a sigh of relief as Mr. Smith spoke. His words were a saving grace from the pressure I felt inside my chest. Mr. Everett seemed momentarily taken aback but quickly, he recovered with a reassuring smile.“Well, of course. I apologize for being too eager. I was just excited to get started.”“No need to apologize,” Mr. Smith replied with that professional smile of his. “We’re grateful for the opportunity. I’m confident we’ll find the best way forward.”I made myself sit still, trying to kee
Tristan"See? What did I tell you? One heroic act and Elaine would come crawling back to you."I watched the light catch on the glass edges as I swirled the alcohol inside. Seeing my phone on the table and remembering my previous call with Elaine made me smirk. As much as it pained me to admit, Megan was right with her words. I drank the whiskey and felt the warmth slide down my throat. I hated sharing the spotlight, but this victory was partly hers. Megan deserved credit for her counsel, whether I liked it or not. I wouldn’t be in this situation if I hadn't listened to her. As much as I thrived on being the sole architect of my success, Megan had played a huge part in this.It had been too easy. I still couldn’t believe it was this easy. All it took was being her "hero," and Elaine’s defenses crumbled. It was a smart move to involve Mr. Everett after finding out how close Elaine was to his grandson. I had seen her interact with that twerp the night of the presentation and knew they h
ElaineTrevor and I were sitting on the sofa. We do not talk much but feel relaxed in each other’s presence. This was how we normally spent the rest of the night before going to bed. Then, we heard a knock at the door. Trevor gave me a quick nod before telling me to stay while he got up to check. My heart was pounding inside my chest. Eventually, I reminded myself to stay calm and don’t let my overthinking get the best of me. The door opened, and Liz rushed in before Trevor could say a word. She was so full of energy and was like she was bringing the sunshine into the room. In one hand, she held a paper bag that smelled amazing. In the other, she carried a pile of colorful board games that wobbled as she moved. Her smile was so big, it made me smile too. “Hope you’re both hungry!” Liz said, setting the bag on the coffee table. The smell of sesame chicken and fried rice filled the room right away. Expectedly, it made my stomach rumble.“I’m in the mood to play some games tonight. Wh
Elaine“Hmm…”The kitchen was filled with the warm aroma of coffee brewing and the faint sizzle of something cooking on the stove. Trevor stood at the counter with his sleeves rolled up. He was too focused on chopping vegetables with such precision that seemed almost out of place in such a casual setting. I leaned against the counter opposite him as I watched his hands move.“You’re really good at that,” I teased to break the silence. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”He glanced up at me. A playful smile appeared at the corners of his lips. “A man’s gotta eat, Elaine. Besides, you’d be surprised what a few cooking shows can teach you.”I laughed softly. And it sounded light and free. Something I hadn’t felt in days. It amazed me how easily Trevor could make me forget the heaviness that seemed to cling to me lately.“Do you want to help? Or are you just going to stand there admiring me?” he teased before tossing a piece of chopped carrot in my direction.I caught it mid-air and
MeganI was knee-deep in paperwork. My desk was full of piled files and documents demanding attention. The sound of the clock ticking faintly in the background was the only company I had in the silence of my office. I barely glanced up when Marie entered. But she sounded like something was urgent which made me pause.“Miss Megan, the peacekeepers are here. They said it’s about Elaine Scott,” she announced.Elaine Scott. My hand froze mid-signature. I looked up sharply and masked my unease with a calm smile. “Send them in.”Marie nodded. Then she stepped aside to let them enter. Two officers walked in. Their presence was shouting authority. I gestured toward the chairs opposite my desk. “Please, have a seat.""Thank you," They uttered before settling in. I put down the pen I was holding and smiled at them before asking, "How can I help you, officers?”One of the officers, a tall man with a stern expression, got straight to the point. “We’re investigating an incident involving Miss Ela
TristanI had not planned to follow them. It wasn’t something I’d intended to do, but the moment I saw them leaving Elaine’s apartment together, curiosity turned into an uncontrollable pull. Trevor’s car disappeared into the distance. And I found myself trailing them. I couldn't resist it. The mere sight of Elaine beside him stirred a storm within me. I noticed how she smiled at him so easily. My blood was boiling as I realized that it seemed to belong to that bastard now. It was hard to believe that she would easily give it to another wolf just like that. It felt like all the moments we shared had disappeared. It felt like those were replaced by something I couldn’t reach.“As if you shared something wonderful with Elaine. You’re not fooling anyone, Tristan,” My wolf uttered sarcastically inside my head which I chose to ignore.Even if I walked a few distances away from them, they didn’t seem to notice me. They were too engrossed in their world. Trevor’s hand guided Elaine protecti
ElaineThe drive to my apartment was quiet. Trevor was driving beside me, and his calm presence made me feel safer. That was something I was so grateful for.Earlier, Trevor said something that stuck in my mind. He told me I couldn’t let my fear control me. He was right. If I stayed afraid forever, I would lose who I was. I've come so far to claim my life back from my failed marriage and I couldn’t let all those efforts go to waste simply because I was afraid to die.As we arrived at the apartment complex, Trevor parked near the entrance. He looked at me and smiled. “I’ll wait here,” he said gently. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”His words made me feel a little braver. “Thank you,” I said softly before stepping out of the car.Walking into the building, I felt a mysterious chill. Everything looked the same, but it didn’t feel the same. My heart started beating faster as I opened the door to my apartment. Suddenly, the memory of that awful box flashed in my mind. I stood
ElaineI couldn’t shake the heavy feeling brewing inside me. It stayed like a shadow, always following me wherever I went. The thought just wouldn’t leave me alone.Someone wanted me dead, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.Even when I tried to feel safe, my mind kept overthinking. I was even afraid to close my eyes, feeling that, at any moment, someone might barge through the door and kill me. Despite Trevor being here to accompany me, it did nothing to ease my fear. Not because I doubted his ability to protect me, but because I was afraid he would get hurt because of me again.My concerns were valid, right?Trevor must have noticed my distance. He always did. I heard his soft footsteps walking toward me and soon, he was sitting next to me. He didn’t have his usual smile. Instead, he looked worried.“You’ve been quiet all day,” he said gently, “I am not used to you being like this.”I let out a shaky breath and held the edge of the chair tightly. “How can I not be? Someone out t
TristanMy room felt like a prison. The walls were cold and suffocating. I was a free wolf, but I obviously didn’t feel like one.I smirked at my own thoughts. As an Alpha, I shouldn’t have felt this way. Mom and Dad had given me a little kingdom of my own to rule. I had money to spend on anything and servants willing to do all my bidding.But none of that mattered. My mind wouldn’t stop racing. No matter how much I tried to distract myself, every thought dragged me back to the same place.After the council meeting earlier, I felt like even my birthright as Alpha could be taken away from me at any moment, just because they weren’t satisfied with my rule anymore.Pathetic, wasn’t it?I felt alone. Truly alone. I had no one to turn to. Nothing to quiet my thoughts or provide comfort when I needed it. For the first time in years, I felt the burden of being alone.My parents were long gone.My best friend, Shawn, had died years ago.Aunt Melina had lost her mind to the point where I could
Elaine“Yes, Mr. Smith. It’s been… a challenging few days. I appreciate your understanding.”Mr. Smith’s voice echoed through the receiver. “Elaine, you don’t have to explain. Take the time you need. You’ve earned it. In fact, take as long as necessary.”I sighed. I was touched by his generosity but shook my head instinctively. Even though he couldn’t see me, I knew that the message would be clear. “A week will be enough,” I replied. “I just need a little time to clear my head and settle things. If I need more, I promise I’ll call.”“Good,” he replied after a pause. “But remember, the offer stands. Call me if you need an extension. We’ll manage, Don’t worry.”“Thank you,” I murmured, feeling a swell of gratitude. “I’ll keep you updated.” With that, I ended the call and set my phone down on the coffee table.A quiet moment passed before Trevor appeared. A steaming cup of tea was in his hands. He offered it to me with a small and warm smile. “Here. I thought you could use this.”I too
TristanI was stunned into silence for what felt like an eternity as I tried to process the audacity of what I had just heard.“Where is the lie?” The words echoed in my head like a taunt. It was refusing to fade. It was making every ounce of my being shook in anger.My hands tightened into fists. I shot to my feet. The chair scraped against the floor with a screech that matched my temper. “Explain yourselves!” I barked. But the council members didn’t flinch. They remained seated with their faces betraying nothing. My fury burned hotter at their defiance.In a fit of rage, I swept my arm across the desk. I sent papers, pens, and even the heavy paperweight tumbling to the floor. The crash was deafening. But still, none of them reacted. “Apologize,” I demanded. “Now!”But there was only silence. Not a single head bowed, and not a single word of regret was uttered. My chest heaved as I glared at them. My anger was boiling over.“You!” I snarled as I pointed a finger at Gamma Jeff. “Th